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The Neon Honour Party Arrives: WePlay GALA NIGHT Grand Opening on January 3rd

TAIPEI, Jan. 8, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — On January 3rd, 2026, WePlay ignites a brilliant social entertainment phenomenon in Taiwan. As a beloved social entertainment platform among young people in Taiwan, WePlay presents “Neon Honour Party – WePlay GALA NIGHT” at the Sunrise Hall in Dazhi Dian Hua, hosting the most spectacular offline event of the year. As a heartfelt token of appreciation for Taiwan’s core players’ companionship and support throughout the year, WePlay has meticulously crafted this premium party featuring celebrity performances, interactive games, and exciting prize draws. Hundreds of loyal WePlay players gather together to ignite the most dazzling year-end social celebration night, creating unforgettable immersive social experiences and warm memories for one another.

The Neon Honour Party Arrives: WePlay GALA NIGHT Grand Opening on January 3rd
The Neon Honour Party Arrives: WePlay GALA NIGHT Grand Opening on January 3rd

WePlay GALA NIGHT: Three Details Showcasing Meticulous Care for VIP Players

This WePlay GALA NIGHT centers on VIP players, demonstrating WePlay’s deep commitment to player experience through three carefully designed details:

  • Invitation-Only Party, Details Embodying Honor – From exclusive invitations to customized party favors, from VIP black wristbands to priority interaction privileges, every detail is carefully curated to ensure each VIP attendee feels seen, valued, and treated with supreme respect.
  • Chart-Topping Artists Perform Up Close – Breaking the barrier between stage and audience, WePlay invites renowned music superstars to perform live, offering VIP players exclusive opportunities for close interaction and immersive sensory experiences — a privilege reserved only for core platform members.
  • Platform Rising Stars Take the Stage – Three popular Soundwave singers from the WePlay community showcase their creative vitality and musical talent, allowing VIP players to witness the growth and brilliance of community members.

Three layers of progressive musical experience, each layer carrying WePlay’s deepest gratitude and highest respect for VIP players.

Four Rounds of Luxury Prize Draws, Exceptional Value Rewards

This party features four stages of exciting prize draw sessions with an impressive lineup:

  • Third Prize – Exclusive limited-edition designer rings × 12 winners
  • Second Prize – HomePod mini × 3 winners
  • First Prize – AirPods × 2 winners
  • Grand Prize – iPhone 17 Pro × 1 winner

Plus exclusive WePlay merchandise available for free redemption through game participation on-site.

Annual Gala Awards Ceremony: Witnessing Glory Born

The December Annual Gala concluded brilliantly, with its most glittering moment shining brilliantly on the January 3rd GALA NIGHT stage. The top three champion players took the stage, receiving the highest honor medal amid thunderous applause from hundreds of attendees. Simultaneously, Voice Room C327 broadcast the event in real-time, allowing online players to transcend screens and witness this historic moment together.

Online and offline voices unite in jubilation, applause and accolades intertwining into a symphony of glory unique to WePlay. Every cheer is the highest tribute to champion players — WePlay transforms the virtual championship title from the annual gala into tangible glory, ensuring champions’ achievements are not only witnessed but cherished throughout the entire community.

This is the unique privilege WePlay grants champion players: glory, warmth, and honor — each indispensable.

Online-Offline Integration: A New Social Experience Bridging Virtual and Reality

“Neon Honour Party” represents WePlay’s significant upgrade from a purely online social entertainment platform to an “online + offline integrated ecosystem.”

WePlay’s Taiwan market manager stated: “Our players don’t just build connections in the virtual world; they should gather, celebrate, and resonate in reality. ‘Neon Honour Party’ is WePlay’s bold attempt to invite players from screens into reality, transforming digital friendships into on-site warmth. Here, every game, every laugh, every round of applause carries WePlay’s ultimate vision for young people’s social entertainment experience worldwide.”

WePlay’s Social Entertainment Philosophy: Connection, Interaction, Joy, Warmth

As a leading next-generation global social entertainment platform, WePlay remains committed to creating a “play and chat, relax and socialize” online entertainment experience for young people. Yet WePlay’s vision extends far beyond this — through offline parties, celebrity interactions, and community connections, WePlay is extending the joy of the virtual world into real life, demonstrating through action the corporate mission of “Bring joy and friends to young people around the world.” Behind every party lies WePlay’s promise to users: on our platform, you’ll not only find entertainment’s delight but also discover your own social family, creative stage, and unlimited possibilities.

About WePlay

WePlay is the flagship product of WEJOY PTE. LTD., a social entertainment platform for young people globally, integrating gaming, voice rooms, party interactions, and more. With the mission “Bring joy and friends to young people around the world,” WePlay is dedicated to creating low-barrier, highly interactive online social experiences. The platform has topped application charts across the Middle East, Southeast Asia, and Asia-Pacific regions, becoming the social choice for millions of users.

About WEJOY PTE. LTD.

WEJOY PTE. LTD. is an internet company headquartered in Singapore, founded on October 23rd, 2020. As a company combining global vision with innovative spirit, WeJoy is committed to developing its social and gaming businesses worldwide. WeJoy specializes in developing and operating social board games and casual games, particularly emphasizing the creation of innovative and engaging gaming experiences to connect global players. Currently, WeJoy is actively expanding into international markets and will continue deepening international operations, striving to play an important role on the global stage.

Media Contact

Company: WEJOY PTE. LTD.
Contact Person: Bryant
Email: bryant@wejoysg.com
WePlay Official Website: https://weplayapp.com/
WeJoy Official Website: https://wejoyhub.com/

NTT DOCOMO BUSINESS Partners with 24/7 Software To Launch Smart Stadium Solution

Partnership will support smarter facility operations for venues in Japan, South Korea and Taiwan

BOCA RATON, Fla., Jan. 8, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — NTT DOCOMO BUSINESS, Inc. has entered into an exclusive distribution agreement with U.S.-based facility management SaaS leader 24/7 Software, Inc.

This partnership will bring 24/7 Software’s cloud-based platform, which supports smarter operations for stadiums, arenas and commercial facilities, to these markets.

The platform unifies incident management, lost and found, visitor requests and maintenance operations into one mobile-enabled system, giving teams real-time insights to improve efficiency, safety and visitor experiences.

Additionally, NTT DOCOMO BUSINESS will propose integrations with existing information and communication technologies (ICT) infrastructure and services to deliver comprehensive solutions.

1. Background
The stadium market has expanded; as venues grow and become more multifunctional, the complexity of operational tasks has increased, making efficiency critical.

Many venues currently operate with disparate solutions, hindering optimization and data analysis, which leaves improvement efforts varied.

With labor shortages expected to worsen, there’s a clear need to shift employees toward more high-value work through operational digitalization.

NTT DOCOMO BUSINESS, which has supported digital transformation in stadiums, arenas and hotels, will introduce 24/7 Software to further enhance operational efficiency.

2. Overview of 24/7 Software
24/7 Software is a venue management platform that venues across North America’s major professional sports leagues trust. It’s designed to support multi-venue and multi-vendor operational structures, allowing centralized management of the entire incident lifecycle.

Using a mobile app, staff can check and update incident statuses in real time, while the central control room monitors progress. APIs enable integration with external systems to automate incident detection and notification.

These features drive improvements in operational efficiency and guest experience by reducing incident response times by approximately 25%.

24/7 Software brings proven global best practices that can be adapted and localized to the unique needs of Japanese venues.

3. Future Development
Fighters Sports & Entertainment Co., Ltd., has already launched 24/7 Software at Es Con Field Hokkaido in Japan, achieving measurable improvements.

NTT DOCOMO BUSINESS will help establish a localized support framework tailored to the needs of sports organizations and venue operators.

Beyond system implementation, NTT DOCOMO BUSINESS will deliver comprehensive smart stadium solutions that integrate online ticketing, communication apps and ICT technologies.

The company plans to expand into arenas, commercial facilities and urban development projects, with broader Asian market expansion under consideration.

“We’re thrilled to partner with NTT DOCOMO BUSINESS to bring our platform to these three markets that share our deep passion for sports and entertainment,” Justin King, Executive Vice President, Sales & Marketing, 24/7 Software, Inc., said. “As the global leader in venue operations technology, we’ve learned firsthand what world-class organizations need to create safe, efficient and exceptional experiences. Together with NTT DOCOMO BUSINESS, we look forward to delivering innovative, data-driven solutions that enhance safety, elevate the guest experience and deliver Peace of Mind for the World’s Greatest Properties™.”

Logo – https://laotiantimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/247_software_logo.jpg

National Party Congress Elects New Central Committee

12th National Party Congress elects Party Central Committee members. (Photo: Pathedlao, Media Laos)
UPDATED on 8 January at 2:42 PM
Delegates at the 12th National Congress of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party (LPRP) have elected a new Party Central Committee that will shape the country’s political direction from 2026 to 2030.
More than 800 delegates from central and local Party organisations took part in the vote, representing over 421,000 Party members nationwide.
The election concluded late on the second day of the three-day congress.The vote marked the end of the five-year term of the 11th Party Central Committee, following a closing address by Party Secretary General Thongloun Sisoulith.

Politburo Leadership Confirmed

The newly elected 12th Party Central Committee comprises 73 members.
The top 13 figures form the core leadership of the Politburo, the Party’s most powerful decision-making body.
The senior leadership includes:
  1. Thongloun Sisoulith
  2. Xaysomphone Phomvihane
  3. Sonexay Siphandone
  4. Khamphanh Phommathat
  5. Kikeo Khaykhamphithoun
  6. Vilay Lakhamfong
  7. Sisay Leudethmounsone
  8. Saleumxay Kommasith
  9. Khamphanh Pheuyavong
  10. Thongsalith Mangnomek
  11. Phet Phomphiphak
  12. Khamlieng Outhakaysone
  13. Vansay Phongsavanh
The remaining members of the Central Committee come from a wide range of government ministries, provincial administrations, mass organisations, and the security sector.

Reserve Members Selected

The Congress also elected 15 reserve members to the Party Central Committee. These members may assume full roles if vacancies arise during the five-year term.
Senior state and Party leaders, including the National Assembly president and the prime minister, participated in the vote alongside other delegates.
At the close of the second day, Khamphanh Pheuyavong, head of the outgoing Central Propaganda and Training Committee, said the Congress had completed its agenda as planned, noting orderly proceedings and broad participation.

Next Phase of Leadership Transition

Following the election, the 12th Party Central Committee held its first plenary session to select the Party Secretary General, members of the Politburo, and other key Party bodies.
Delegates then reviewed and adopted the Congress resolution, which outlines Laos’ political and socio-economic priorities for the next five years.

Final assignments to state leadership positions are expected to be announced in late March or early April, following nationwide elections in which citizens will vote for representatives to the National Assembly and Provincial People’s Councils.

National Elections Ahead

Laos will hold nationwide elections on 22 February to elect members of the National Assembly and Provincial People’s Councils, following the conclusion of the 12th National Congress of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party.

The vote will be overseen by a 21-member National Election Committee chaired by Xaysomphone Phomvihane. Lao citizens aged 18 and above will be eligible to vote, except those legally restricted.

The election will select 175 National Assembly members, an increase from 164 in the current 9th Legislature.

The 9th Legislature will complete its five-year term on 22 March, after which the 10th Legislature will convene to elect state leaders, approve a new government cabinet, and adopt the National Socio-Economic Development Plan for 2026–2030.

STARMED Unveils New Brand Identity to Drive Global Multi-Modality Strategy

SEOUL, South Korea, Jan. 8, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — STARMED, a pioneer in innovative minimally invasive treatment solutions, has announced a comprehensive rebranding. Now in its seventeenth year of operation, the company is formally transitioning from a Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA) specialist into a global multi-modality medical technology platform.

Established in 2009, STARMED pioneered the first thyroid-dedicated RFA electrode, effectively creating a clinical field that did not previously exist. This technology has since been adopted into various international clinical guidelines and continues to maintain the leading global market share today. Building on this heritage, STARMED has expanded its portfolio to address diverse clinical needs in liver, uterine, and vascular care, introducing various products such as the proprietary multi-electrode Octopus system. The current rebranding signals a strategic commitment to expand beyond RFA by integrating diverse energy sources, including Microwave Ablation (MWA) and Irreversible Electroporation (IRE), into a unified therapeutic offering.

“With the global thermal ablation market projected to reach $2 billion by 2033, this rebranding is a pivotal step for our next stage of growth,” said CEO Henry Shin.


The newly unveiled Corporate Identity reflects both STARMED’s heritage and its future vision. The symbol represents technical precision by visualising the initial ‘S’ alongside the silhouette of an electrode tip. This reflects a dedication to minimising patient pain and providing care throughout the recovery process. The wordmark employs a sophisticated, futuristic typeface to reinforce trust within the global healthcare arena.

Supported by strong financial foundations, STARMED plans to capitalise on a market growing at 10.5% annually. The company remains committed to establishing minimally invasive treatments as the global ‘Standard of Care’ through enhanced clinical partnerships.

About STARMED

STARMED is a medical device specialist founded in 2009. With more than 660 clinical research evidence, the company provides world-class thermal ablation solutions to over 70 countries and continues to advance minimally invasive treatment as the clinical standard.

LG ELECTRONICS CEO SETS STRATEGIC DIRECTION FOR PROFIT-DRIVEN GROWTH, PRIORITIZING SPEED AND ACTION

CEO Lyu Jae-chul Underscores “Flawless Execution” to Build a Winning Competitive Advantage

News Summary:

  • LG Electronics CEO Lyu Jae-chul announced a three-pillar strategy to reinforce fundamental competitiveness, accelerate the shift to a high-performance portfolio and strengthen a profitability-based growth structure.
  • LG will strengthen its fundamental competitiveness by raising quality, cost and delivery (QCD) across the value chain and by deepening “Winning Tech” to widen its technology gap with competitors.
  • LG aims to accelerate the transition to a high-performance portfolio by expanding B2B businesses, scaling non-hardware platforms such as subscriptions and webOS, and growing its global D2C business.
  • LG will strengthen its profitability-based growth structure through AI transformation (AX), using end-to-end AI-driven operations to improve speed, productivity and execution across the company.
  • LG plans to increase future-growth investment by more than 40 percent this year, focusing on AI Home, smart factories, AI data center cooling and robotics.

LAS VEGAS, Jan. 8, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — LG Electronics (LG) CEO Lyu Jae-chul held a press briefing with Korean media in Las Vegas on January 7 (local time), outlining the company’s management direction and priorities. He presented a strategy built on three pillars: reinforcing fundamental competitiveness, accelerating the transition to a high-performance portfolio and strengthening a profitability-based growth structure.

LG ELECTRONICS CEO SETS STRATEGIC DIRECTION FOR PROFIT-DRIVEN GROWTH, PRIORITIZING SPEED AND ACTION
LG ELECTRONICS CEO SETS STRATEGIC DIRECTION FOR PROFIT-DRIVEN GROWTH, PRIORITIZING SPEED AND ACTION

Lyu said LG must respond to a business environment in which industry boundaries, competitive dynamics and technological cycles are changing faster than ever before.

“The paradigms of industries and competition are shifting at unprecedented speed. Matching the pace of others will not be enough. We must see the competitive ecosystem clearly and move faster and execute better than our peers to remain competitive.”

Reinforcing Fundamental Competitiveness and Technology Leadership

LG will reinforce its fundamental competitiveness by raising the baseline of performance across its entire value chain and widening the technology gap with competitors.

This effort rests on two pillars:

  • Quality, Cost and Delivery (QCD) excellence
  • Technology and R&D leadership that creates sustainable competitive advantage

To systematically upgrade performance in product quality, cost structure, design and speed, LG has established an Innovation Drive Division reporting directly to the CEO. This organization will function as a company-wide control tower for transformation across development, manufacturing, supply chain and sales. Lyu said he will personally oversee breakthrough targets and progress in each area.

In R&D, LG will further concentrate resources on “Winning Tech” – technologies selected based on customer value, business potential and technological competitiveness. These technologies will be deepened and scaled to lead markets rather than simply follow trends. In areas expected to become long-term industry growth drivers, LG will expand partnerships with leading global players to strengthen world-class development and commercialization capabilities.

Accelerating the Transition to a High-Performance Business Portfolio

LG will accelerate the transition to a high-performance portfolio centered on businesses with stronger growth, profitability and resilience to market cycles.

Key areas of qualitative growth include:

  • B2B businesses such as vehicle solutions and HVAC
  • Non-hardware businesses including product & service subscriptions and the webOS platform
  • Online businesses led by direct-to-consumer (D2C) channels

This portfolio shift is already well underway. The share of these businesses in LG’s total revenue increased from about 29 percent in 2021 to 45 percent in the second half of last year, while their share of operating profit rose from 21 percent to about 90 percent over the same period. LG plans to further accelerate this trend through continued investment, business model innovation and tighter execution.

The vehicle solutions business is expected to deliver its highest annual performance this year, supported by a strong order backlog and growing demand for components for software-defined vehicles (SDVs) and AI-defined vehicles (AIDVs).

The HVAC business is positioning itself for future growth through cooling solutions for AI data centers (AIDCs), while the smart factory solutions business recorded KRW 500 billion in orders last year, just two years after commercialization.

In non-hardware businesses, LG’s product subscription model exceeded KRW 2 trillion in annual revenue, and the webOS platform continues to grow at a double-digit rate, with more than 260 million webOS-enabled devices now in use worldwide. LG’s online D2C business is also gaining momentum, with November sales – boosted by Black Friday – rising more than 40 percent year-on-year.

Strengthening the Profitability-Based Growth Structure Through AX

LG will use AI transformation (AX) to strengthen its profitability-based growth structure by improving speed, productivity and execution across the organization.

While digital transformation (DX) optimized individual tasks and processes, AX is designed to integrate them end-to-end, enabling more autonomous, data-driven and faster decision-making. LG has set a goal to increase overall productivity by 30 percent within two to three years, allowing employees to devote more time to higher-value work, innovation and professional expertise.

AI is already being applied across development, sales, supply chain management, procurement and marketing. LG’s internal chatbot, LGenie – originally built to support routine tasks – is evolving into a company-wide AI agent platform based on EXAONE, LG AI Research’s foundation model, and integrated with external generative AI technologies including Microsoft Azure AI Services, OpenAI’s ChatGPT and Google’s Gemini.

Increasing Investment for Future Growth

Despite ongoing global uncertainty, LG plans to increase investment this year to reinforce its long-term competitiveness and accelerate future growth, while maintaining strict discipline in how resources are allocated.

Total resources devoted to future growth – including capital expenditures, software and IT, patents, and strategic investments such as M&A – are expected to rise by more than 40 percent year-on-year. A portion of this funding will come from cash generated through the IPO of LG Electronics India.

Investment will be focused on areas where LG can best leverage its existing strengths, including AI Home, smart factory solutions, AI data center cooling and robotics. In parallel, LG will actively pursue strategic partnerships to expand capabilities and unlock new growth opportunities.

About LG Electronics, Inc. 

LG Electronics is a global innovator in technology and consumer electronics with a presence in almost every country and an international workforce of more than 75,000. LG’s four Companies – Home Appliance Solution, Media Entertainment Solution, Vehicle Solution and Eco Solution – combined for global revenue of over KRW 88 trillion in 2024. LG is a leading manufacturer of consumer and commercial products ranging from TVs, home appliances, air solutions, monitors, automotive components and solutions, and its premium LG SIGNATURE and intelligent LG ThinQ brands are familiar names world over. Visit www.lg.com/global/newsroom for the latest news.

1Play and MOONTON Games Introduce First Official M Series Trading Card Collection in Multi-Year Strategic Partnership


SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 8 January 2026 – MOONTON Games, the international video game company behind Mobile Legends: Bang Bang (MLBB), has announced a multi-year strategic partnership with 1Play, a rising brand in youth-focused cultural collectibles. As the Official Trading Card Partner of the M7 World Championship (M7), 1Play will roll out a multi-year lineup of M Series collectible cards that pays homage to the tournament’s qualified teams. Featuring M Series teams, players, key competitive moments and more, the launch aims to enrich the MLBB Esports experience by allowing fans to relive the tournament’s legacy through physical collectibles.

1Play and MOONTON Games Introduce First Official M Series Trading Card Collection in Multi-Year Strategic Partnership
1Play and MOONTON Games Introduce First Official M Series Trading Card Collection in Multi-Year Strategic Partnership

Designed to bring fans closer to the competitive action, the partnership extends MLBB Esports engagement beyond viewership. Through the collectible cards, the title’s passionate fanbase will be able to connect with the M Series, its teams, and its players both during and outside of tournament periods.

According to Esports Charts, MLBB emerged as 2024’s most popular mobile esports title with over 475 million Hours Watched (HW). At the heart of the MLBB Esports circuit stands the M Series, the title’s flagship international tournament. Uniting players and fans from across the world, the M Series has become the main competitive stage for the world’s best MLBB teams and a driver of the game’s global esports ecosystem. In previous editions, the M6 and M5 reached 4.13 million and 5.06 million Peak Concurrent Viewers (PCV) respectively. The tournaments ranked ninth and sixth amongst the most-watched esports events of all time, according to Esports Charts. Backed by millions of viewers and a seven-year legacy of competitive excellence, the M Series has established itself amongst the biggest names in global sports and entertainment.

Just as trading cards have been a cornerstone of fan culture in traditional sports such as the National Basketball Association (NBA), English Premier League (EPL), and the FIFA World Cup—the MLBB Official Trading Card collection brings this longstanding tradition to MLBB Esports. It celebrates the game’s competitive excellence while giving fans a tangible way to connect with the M Series, commemorate iconic moments, and honour the players who define its legacy. Its launch also extends a global, time-honoured collectibles tradition into MLBB Esports, creating a new avenue for the community to engage with the tournament beyond the screen.

Through this partnership, MOONTON Games and 1Play will introduce the M Series’ first official trading card system, which includes:

  1. All 22 participating teams and all players competing at the M7
  2. A premium lineup of Player Signature Cards, Jersey & Materials Cards, and Match Moments Cards
  3. Two flagship product lines for the M7: the Super Series and the Elite Series

Fans will be able to purchase the collections through 1Play’s official platforms and participate in offline retail experiences, pop-up events, card-trading sessions, exclusive onsite drops, and other interactive activities at future M Series editions. By integrating digital touchpoints with offline engagement, the partnership aims to strengthen the presence of MLBB Esports in global mainstream culture through an immersive collectibles experience for fans.

At the same time, as 1Play’s key strategic retail and offline experience partner across Southeast Asia and other core markets, OH!SOME will establish a long-term and stable collaboration framework with 1Play, playing a deep role in the overall planning and ongoing development of offline showcasing, retail infrastructure, and fan engagement experiences for the official M Series esports trading card collection. 1Play and OH!SOME will work closely across product presentation, spatial design, and user experience, jointly defining new standards for esports collectibles within offline consumer and cultural spaces.

With over 180 stores across Asia—including Indonesia, Singapore, Thailand, Hong Kong of China, Malaysia, Vietnam, Cambodia, and the Philippines—OH!SOME has developed into a beloved and widely recognized regional retail brand. Leveraging OH!SOME’s established regional retail network and its strategic presence in major urban consumer hubs, 1Play will collaborate with OH!SOME to advance the rollout of offline experiences. Fans will be able to purchase, showcase, and engage with official 1Play card packs and trading cards at selected OH!SOME locations, achieving an explosive market presence for M Series collectibles across core cities.

Adrian Cher, Global Head of Partnerships, MLBB Esports at MOONTON Games, said: This partnership with 1Play marks a strategic step in how we extend MLBB Esports beyond the screen and into the everyday lives of our fans. As trading cards gain renewed traction among younger audiences, this partnership allows us to connect with the next generation through an avenue that reflects their interests and self-expression. By bringing the M Series into physical collectibles, we’re not only enriching the M7 experience, but also reinforcing MLBB’s place alongside traditional sports ecosystems where memorabilia plays a central role in fan culture. The upcoming collectibles launch reflects our long-term commitment to building MLBB Esports as a global sports and entertainment IP.”

AnJie, Founder & CEO of 1Play, said: “1Play is dedicated to creating collectible items that resonate with young audiences and express cultural identity. Our partnership with MOONTON Games represents a milestone in the development of esports collectibles. We aim to build a defining collectible ecosystem for this era—one that allows every fan to record their passion, celebrate their heroes, and collect the moments that matter.”

The 1Play × M Series Official Trading Card Collection is scheduled to launch during the M7, with its first edition dedicated to the tournament. Additional experiences—including team collaborations, onsite exclusives, signing sessions, and community-driven fan events—will be rolled out to further expand the cultural reach of MLBB esports.

With the M7, the M Series marks its return to Jakarta for the first time since the M4 in 2022. Set for January 2026, the tournament will unite 22 of the world’s best teams to compete for the USD 1,000,000 prize pool. This edition promises to be the largest and most exciting yet as Indonesia—home to MLBB’s most passionate fanbase—hosts the tournament.

For media queries or interview requests, please contact:
Email: marketing@1play.com

Hashtag: #1Play

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

New AI Nexus Lab by NYP built on AWS Cloud makes artificial intelligence adoption accessible to SMEs

One-stop solutions lab for businesses to scale up and manage SMEs’ manpower challenges, while enabling learners to enhance their AI development experience

SINGAPORE, Jan. 8, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Nanyang Polytechnic (NYP) launched the AI Nexus Lab, making digitalisation and artificial intelligence adoption accessible for Singapore’s Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs). Real-world projects incubated in this lab will be built on Amazon Web Services (AWS), enabling learners to apply classroom AI development skills directly through hands-on company projects.

Annually, over 1000 students from NYP’s School of Information Technology will benefit from this partnership through AWS AI and machine learning solutions integrated into their curriculum. NYP has a goal to reach 500 SMEs over the next five years through pathways such as generative AI training workshops. In a pilot with the Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce & Industry (SCCCI), 64 use cases from their SME network have been identified for prototype development.

Dr Phua Chee Teck, Deputy Principal (Sustainability & Technology), NYP, said: “AI may seem daunting to organisations who do not know where to start. The AI Nexus Lab serves as a one-stop solution bridging education and innovation, helping SMEs embrace AI with confidence. When they come to us with a business need, our learners can analyse their challenges and develop practical AI solutions that they can scale.”

Through AI and design thinking workshops, NYP works with SMEs to identify specific use cases that tackle real business challenges. Learners then work closely with business owners to develop proof-of-concepts, employing AWS’s services to create applications.

Student-built Minimum Viable Products (MVPs) that SMEs choose to productionise will receive support from the AWS AI Springboard initiative — which offers enterprises cloud credits and training — and the AWS Partner Network, which provides technical expertise and scaling capabilities. In the process, learners gain a deeper understanding of industry trends and pick up in-demand and emerging competencies that position them well for the jobs of the future.

Addressing the challenge of digitising physical product information, year two Diploma in Information Technology learner, Teo Yu Xiang, developed an optical character recognition (OCR) and data analytics system that scans and converts printed text into digital data. The solution creates a searchable online platform for leading motorcycle spare parts retailer, Auto Machinery Singapore (AMS), enabling staff to quickly find parts by typing keywords instead of manually searching through physical catalogues. This project, facilitated through SCCCI, has evolved into AM Digiparts Pte Ltd, a start-up co-founded by Yu Xiang and AMS that is now scaling through pilot programmes with motorcycle repair shops in Singapore.

Danny Hoe, Director of AMS, said: “The solution has delivered productivity gains of over 16% and saves us approximately 180 man-hours monthly by eliminating tedious manual searches. We’re now expanding our digital ecosystem to include established partners across the local motorcycle industry. This project proves that with the right talent and tools, traditional businesses can successfully harness AI for transformation.”

SMEs working with the AI Nexus Lab can access subsidies of up to 90% through SkillsFuture Singapore’s Mentorship Support Grant (MSG) to accelerate their products from the piloting stage to full-scale implementation.

“Upskilling and exposure to AI should start from the earliest ages. We need students experimenting, being scrappy, and learning through doing — not just theory. When students can build, iterate, and ultimately create solutions that transform actual businesses, that’s when true learning happens. This hands-on approach prepares them not just for their first job, but for a lifetime of adapting to technological change,” said Elsie Tan, Country Manager, Worldwide Public Sector, Singapore, AWS.

The partnership was earlier formalised with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between NYP and AWS on 30 September 2025 at AWS Public Sector Day. The MOU underscores a joint commitment to strengthen Singapore’s AI ecosystem, as well as prepare the next generation of digital talent.

Beyond SCCCI, NYP is also working with other SME and trade associations to expand the pipeline of problem statements, extending the benefits of AI adoption across industries. By anchoring projects in real business needs, the initiative not only delivers practical solutions for enterprises but also develops graduates who are ready to lead digital transformation.

About Nanyang Polytechnic

Established as an institution of higher learning in 1992, Nanyang Polytechnic’s (NYP) academic schools offer quality education and training through 39 full-time diploma courses and common entry programmes. NYP also has a full suite of Continuing Education and Training (CET) options for lifelong learning, ranging from specialist and advanced diplomas to SkillsFuture-supported modules and courses. NYP’s Asian Culinary Institute Singapore and the Singapore Institute of Retail Studies are CET institutes set up in partnership with SkillsFuture Singapore (SSG) to champion and transform Singapore’s F&B and retail sectors, respectively. A third NYP CET institute – the National Centre of Excellence for Workplace Learning – also set up in collaboration with SSG, will spearhead the development of progressive workplace learning strategies and programmes for companies here. 

For more information, please visit www.nyp.edu.sg.

Sky Labs Secures CE-MDR for ‘CART PLATFORM,’ Accelerating Its Global Market Entry

– ‘CART,’ the blood pressure ring, recognized in Europe for its advanced vital sign monitoring technology
– Targeting the global healthcare market beyond Europe through CE-MDR certification

SEOUL, South Korea, Jan. 8, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Sky Labs (CEO Jack Byunghwan Lee) announced on the 8th that its ring-type blood pressure monitor, ‘CART PLATFORM,’ recently obtained the European Union’s Medical Device Regulation (CE-MDR) certification.

‘CART’ Ring and Charging Cradle
‘CART’ Ring and Charging Cradle

This certification was granted for the entire ‘CART PLATFORM,’ centered on the ring-type medical device equipped with photoplethysmography (PPG) sensors, and encompassing the mobile app, server, and the web viewer for medical professionals.

With blood pressure measurement at its core, the CART PLATFORM provides various vital sign monitoring functions, including irregular pulse detection. When a patient wears the ring-type medical device equipped with a PPG sensor, vital signs are measured; the collected data is then provided to the patient through a mobile app, while medical staff can monitor it through a web-based viewer.

This is expected to replace or complement the uncomfortable conventional 24-hour cuff-based monitoring methods, enhancing patient convenience while enabling efficient blood pressure management.

These benefits have already been proven in the Korean medical field. Since obtaining insurance reimbursement in 2024, ‘CART BP pro’ has been utilized in approximately 1,700 hospitals and clinics across Korea.

With this CE-MDR certification as a starting point, Sky Labs plans to expand its domestic-oriented business structure into European and global markets.

Europe, with a population of approximately 520 million, is a market more than ten times larger than Korea, with a steadily increasing demand for managing chronic diseases such as hypertension.

In particular, CE-MDR serves as a crucial benchmark for medical device licensing not only in Europe but also in various regions worldwide, including the Middle East, Southeast Asia, and South America.

“Securing the CE-MDR certification is more than a mere technical validation; it signifies that we have earned global-level trust by meeting the stringent regulations of the European medical market,” said Jack Byunghwan Lee, CEO of Sky Labs. “Based on our unrivaled technology that allows cuffless blood pressure monitoring in daily life, we will continue to expand our footprint in the global healthcare market.”

About Sky Labs https://skylabs.io/en/

Founded in September 2015, Sky Labs is a leading healthcare startup that has developed CART (Cardio Tracker), a ring-shaped medical device designed for disease monitoring using heart signals collected through optical sensors. Following this, the company developed CART BP, a cuffless, ring-shaped device that enables continuous 24-hour blood pressure monitoring, providing valuable treatment information and making a groundbreaking contribution to improving the quality of life for hypertension patients. Sky Labs has signed an exclusive domestic distribution agreement for CART BP with South Korea’s Daewoong Pharmaceutical and is preparing for nationwide sales to hospitals, clinics, and general consumers.

Media Inquiries
Inok Jung inok.jung@skylabs.io
Bomi Lee bomi.lee@skylabs.io