SINGAPORE / KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA – Media OutReach Newswire – 11 February 2026 – Point Hope, a local investment firm, has published a new research note examining the implications of accelerating artificial intelligence (AI) investment, infrastructure constraints, and evolving competitive dynamics within equities markets.
The research addresses two dominant concerns currently shaping investor sentiment. The first is whether AI will disrupt incumbent businesses, particularly in capital-light software sectors. The second relates to whether physical constraints — especially power generation, permitting, and grid capacity — may slow the rollout of AI infrastructure and temper expectations embedded in current market valuations.
According to the firm’s analysis, both concerns warrant careful consideration. Power generation remains capital-intensive and time-consuming, suggesting that AI deployment is likely to progress unevenly rather than in a linear fashion.
At the same time, the scale of capital investment underway is unprecedented. Large technology companies have outlined plans for an estimated US$600–700billion of AI-related capital expenditure in 2026, with a significant portion directed toward data centres, chips, servers, and supporting infrastructure. These commitments reflect their belief that AI will become a core input across the global economy.
The research argues that for equity investors, the more consequential question is not whether AI adoption will continue, but how it will reshape competitive advantage among incumbent businesses.
Recent market volatility has highlighted increasing scepticism toward established software companies, particularly those operating capital-light, subscription-based models. However, Point Hope cautions against assuming widespread displacement. Large software incumbents that possess entrenched enterprise relationships, network effects, and proprietary data, are likely to also have high switching costs for their customers, particularly in regulated or mission-critical environments.
Furthermore, the research notes that technological adoption does not necessarily imply wholesale reinvention. In many cases, AI is expected to reinforce incumbents’ competitive positions rather than undermine them.
This durability-focused perspective underpins Point Hope’s long-term equity investment approach, which emphasises resilience to disruption, cash-flow generation, and the ability to compound value across market cycles.
“We view earnings and cash-flow durability as the ultimate arbiters of value,” says Guan Zhen Tan, Chief Investment Officer of Point Hope. “That perspective encourages patience during periods when market narratives move faster than fundamentals.”
Point Hope’s research concludes that while markets will ultimately resolve these questions through earnings releases in the coming months, periods of heightened narrative-driven volatility may reward patient investors willing to prioritise fundamentals over short-term themes.
The Government has instigated an independent review of New Zealand’s monetary policy response to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Finance Minister Nicola Willis says the purpose of the review is to identify any lessons New Zealand could learn to improve the monetary policy response to future major events.
“An independent review means the conclusions found can be objective and constructive.
“The Reserve Bank of New Zealand took unprecedented action in response to the Covid-19 pandemic. This included reducing the Official Cash Rate to 0.25 per cent, and the use of additional monetary policy tools, including a Large Scale Asset Purchase (LSAP) programme.
“These actions helped to preserve jobs and keep businesses afloat, but the indirect impacts included decades-high inflation, and losses of about $10.3 billion on the LSAP programme and a significant spike in asset values with house prices increasing 30 per cent in one year.
“The purpose of the review is to learn from experience. It will focus on decisions by the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC), and analysis provided by the Reserve Bank to support those decisions. This includes MPC decision making and communication, the use of additional monetary policy tools, and the coordination of monetary and fiscal policy.”
Monetary policy experts Athanasios Orphanides and David Archer have been appointed to conduct the independent review.
Dr Orphanides is a former governor of the Central Bank of Cyprus and member of the Governing Council of the European Central Bank, and a professor of the Practice of Global Economics and Management at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
Mr Archer is a former Reserve Bank assistant governor and former head of the Central Banking Studies Unit at the Bank for International Settlements.
The review is expected to be completed in August 2026 and publicly released in September 2026.
ASB has reported a cash net profit after tax (NPAT) of $719 million for the six months to 31 December 2025, up 1% on the prior comparative period. Statutory NPAT was $765 million.
Since December 2024, home lending has grown 8%, while business and rural lending grew by 4%. Total customer deposits increased by 5%.
Net customer margins remain flat, reflecting higher home lending margins and lower deposit margins. Net Interest Margin (NIM) was up 6 basis points driven by higher earnings due to timing effects from interest rate hedges.
ASB KiwiSaver Scheme funds under management grew by more than $1.7 billion to more than $20.6 billion, thanks to continued strong returns to customers and top quartile performing funds.[1] Collectively, ASB Group Investments manages more than $31 billion for investors across its range of five products.
Operating expenses were $839 million, an increase of 21% largely driven by the settlement of the Credit Contracts and Consumer Finance Act 2003 class action proceedings, and investments in people, technology modernisation, digital experience and regulatory compliance.
Chief Executive Vittoria Shortt says “While the geopolitical outlook remains uncertain, we are seeing more confidence in the economy, supported by lower interest rates and good export earnings in key sectors. This is evident in the uptick we’ve seen in business lending, with more lending growth across small business, commercial and rural this half than in the previous financial year.
“We remain well positioned to support our personal and business customers as they continue to tackle higher costs, navigate volatility or transition to growth.”
Investing in our customer experience
“We continue to make significant investments so customers choosing to bank with ASB have a simple and modern experience, where they feel informed and confident about making important financial decisions and safer knowing we actively seek to protect them from fraud and scams.
“Through our technology modernisation we are simplifying the way we work and the services we provide, removing overlap and complexity and offering products that might better suit our customers’ changing needs.
“We have a focus on service excellence and meeting customers’ expectations of faster and simpler processes, with quicker decisions on their home loan applications. Building on our capability for single home loan applications to be started digitally through the ASB Mobile App, in November we extended this functionality to include joint home loan applications. Customers can track the progress of their application and view indicative pricing in the ASB Mobile App, so they remain informed at every step.”
Further customer protections
“Fraud and scams remain an issue for New Zealand, and we continue to seek to make banking with us safer with enhanced customer protections against economic crime.
“We are now able to share data between banks related to digital fraud and money mule activity through the Fraud Reporting Exchange and New Zealand Data Exchange. We remain available to assist customers 24/7 on our 0800 ASB FRAUD line.”
Investing in New Zealand
“While we’ve seen business lending growth pick up, with increases across agricultural and property lending, for long-term prosperity New Zealand needs to become more productive.
“We are backing business customers to boost their productivity using artificial intelligence and technology in partnership with the New Zealand Product Accelerator and universities. Following a successful pilot, the programme is being scaled up this year to match up to 100 ASB business customers with AI, business analytics and data science masters’ students to work on their business.
“We are continuing to show up for rural New Zealand with offerings to help with transformation and succession through our Every Hectare Matters programme, and reduce costs with ASB’s Smart Solar 0% lending to assist the switch to renewable, resilient energy. We are supporting the future of the dairy industry and empowering the next generation of farmers towards the goal of farm ownership with financial support and expertise in partnership with the New Zealand Dairy Industry Awards and Fonterra.
“These initiatives are highly valued by the rural sector, as a result we have grown our rural lending more than any other bank in the 12-months to September 2025.[2]
“Long-term prosperity also requires that we have enough housing to support our growing population and easier access to more affordable housing solutions. We have doubled our commitment to $1 billion to accelerate the development of social and affordable housing and the long-term delivery of thousands of new homes. To date we have committed $517 million for social and affordable housing, and this half we committed nearly $50 million to a Māori social housing provider in Tāmaki Makaurau to deliver more than 150 homes.”
Saving for the future
“Regular savings provide a pathway to long-term financial wellbeing and broader economic resilience for Aotearoa.
“We have put a lot of effort into the ASB Investment Funds and the ASB KiwiSaver Scheme so we can offer competitive investment options for customers. We have multiple top performing KiwiSaver funds with low fees, and this is a powerful combination that can make a big difference for our nearly half a million ASB KiwiSaver Scheme members who stand to benefit when purchasing a first home and/or in retirement.
“We remain focused on how we can help tamariki build financial literacy and early savings habits. In November, we reintroduced our Kashin moneybox to celebrate ASB’s 150 years of supporting Kiwi kids to get one step ahead with money. We’ve seen a notable increase in the opening of new Headstart accounts, helping children to start their savings journey. We continue to support the delivery of financial education nationwide with nearly 45,000 students participating this half in our GetWise and Tikitiki o Pūtea programmes in schools.”
[1]ASB KiwiSaver Scheme Conservative, Moderate, Balanced and Growth funds are in the top quartile for 12-month performance to 31 December 2025, Morningstar KiwiSaver Survey (Dec 2025).
2RBNZ quarterly release, 12-months to September 2025.
Income Statement ($ millions)
For the half year ended 31 December
2025
2024
Dec 25 vs Dec 24 %
Net interest income
1,602
1,471
9
Other operating income
233
233
–
Total operating income
1,835
1,704
8
Operating expenses
(839)
(695)
21
Operating performance
996
1,009
(1)
Loan impairment expense
(3)
(17)
(82)
Net profit before tax
993
992
–
Corporate tax expense
(274)
(278)
(1)
Cash net profit after tax (“Cash profit”1)
719
714
1
Reconciliation of Cash profit to Statutory profit
Cash profit
719
714
1
Reconciling items:
Hedging and IFRS volatility2
7
(7)
large
Notional inter-group charges3
53
71
(25)
Reporting structure differences4
6
6
–
Tax on reconciling items
(20)
(21)
(5)
Net profit after tax (“Statutory profit”)
765
763
–
Performance indicators (cash basis)
6
Net interest margin (%)
2.35
2.29
6 bpts
Return on assets (%)
1.0
1.1
(10) bpts
Operating expenses to total operating income (%)
45.7
40.8
490 bpts
Return on average total equity (%)
12.0
12.6
(60) bpts
Statutory Balance Sheet ($ billions)
As at 31 December
2025
2024
Dec 25 vs Dec 24 %
Advances to customers
118.7
111.6
6
Total assets
139.7
131.9
6
Deposits and other borrowings
94.5
94.8
–
Total liabilities
127.4
120.5
6
Cash profit reflects the Banking Group’s underlying operating results and excludes items that introduce volatility and/or one-off distortions which are not considered representative of ongoing financial performance. These items are calculated consistently year on year and do not discriminate between positive and negative adjustments.
Hedging and IFRS volatility includes unrealised fair value gains or losses on economic hedges that do not qualify for hedge accounting and unrealised fair value gains or losses on the ineffective portion of hedges that do qualify for hedge accounting under NZ IFRS. These fair value gains or losses are excluded from Cash profit/(loss) since the asymmetric recognition of the gains or losses does not affect the performance of the Banking Group over the life of the hedge.
This represents the recognition of a notional cost of capital from the ultimate parent and other allocated costs which are not included in Statutory profit. Comparative information (including the tax impact) has been restated to conform to presentation in the current period. As a result, the return on average total equity and operating expenses as a percentage of total operating income have been restated accordingly.
The results of certain business units within the CBA Group are excluded from Cash profit for management reporting purposes but included in Statutory profit.
[1]ASB KiwiSaver Scheme Conservative, Moderate, Balanced and Growth funds are in the top quartile for 12-month performance to 31 December 2025, Morningstar KiwiSaver Survey (Dec 2025).
[2]RBNZ quarterly release, 12-months to September 2025.
Infinix is committed to elevating performance and user experience, beginning with the upcoming NOTE 60 SERIES featuring Snapdragon platforms
HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 10 February 2026 – Today, Infinix announced its plans to integrate the cutting-edge Snapdragon® platforms from Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. across select smartphones and broader product categories. Through its work with Qualcomm Technologies on system-level optimizations, Infinix aims to achieve deeper integration of chipset capabilities within Infinix’s product portfolio, delivering an enhanced and more seamless user experience.
Select models in the upcoming NOTE 60 SERIES will mark the first time Infinix smartphones are powered by Snapdragon mobile platforms. This launch represents a significant step in Infinix’s core platform strategy and an important milestone for the brand. By integrating the renowned Snapdragon system-on-a-chip solutions into select models, the NOTE 60 SERIES is poised to unlock extraordinary possibilities and deliver a next-level experience to users worldwide.
Strengthening Research and Development Efforts
By combining Qualcomm Technologies’ industry-leading technological expertise with Infinix’s strong capabilities in product design and user experience, the NOTE 60 SERIES focuses on delivering elevated, consistent, and stable performance across core areas, including power efficiency, immersive gaming, advanced imaging, and integrated AI experiences.
Over the past year, Infinix has adopted Snapdragon platforms in its tablet lineup, receiving positive market feedback. This success has laid the groundwork to expand into smartphones and broader product categories. As Infinix continues to advance its premiumization strategy, deepening collaboration with leading technology partners remains a key focus in expanding its product ecosystem and strengthening long-term competitiveness.
“We are excited to collaborate with industry leader Qualcomm Technologies. This important step for Infinix advances our mission for a tailored user experience through in-depth hardware-software integration, utilizing Snapdragon platforms and technologies to deliver greater innovation and quality for customers globally,” says Tony Zhao, CEO of Infinix.
“We are thrilled to collaborate with Infinix as we work together to bring industry-leading Snapdragon technologies to more mobile users worldwide. Expanding Snapdragon integration into Infinix’s mobile portfolio marks an exciting milestone—one that highlights our shared commitment to delivering breakthrough innovation, elevated performance, and more seamless user experiences,” said Chris Patrick, SVP & GM of Mobile Handsets, Qualcomm Technologies, Inc.
With that, Infinix officially announces the upcoming launch of the NOTE 60 SERIES, the brand’s flagship showcase co‑created with leading partners to deliver breakthrough performance, design, imaging, and audio‑visual experiences powered by Snapdragon technology.
Hashtag: #Infinix
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
MACAU SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 10 February 2026 – Capella at Galaxy Macau has officially opened, marking the arrival of the serene enclave within the celebrated world of Galaxy Macau. This exceptional property represents a rarefied expression of hospitality within Galaxy Macau, Asia’s highly awarded luxury resort.
Mr Francis Lui, Chairman (centre); Mr Kevin Kelley, Chief Operating Officer – Macau (2nd from right); and Mr Troy Hickox, Head of Hotels & Lifestyle Development (1st from right), of Galaxy Entertainment Group and Mr Samuel Ding, Senior Vice President of Design and Technical Services (2nd from left); Ms Mei Ping, Head of China and Chairman Assistant (1st from left), of Capella Hotel Group officiate at the Opening Ceremony of Capella at Galaxy Macau.
Capella at Galaxy Macau represents the pinnacle of the luxury resort’s experiential offering. Designed for the most discerning of premium guests, the property occupies a privileged position within Galaxy Macau’s constellation of lauded luxury hotels. An ultra-residential retreat designed for the most discerning traveller; it offers privacy, expansive space, and superlative service.
The golden hued architectural landmark comprises just 95 suites and penthouses, while maintaining an exceptionally low key-count and a welcoming sense of intimacy and seclusion.
The opening of Capella at Galaxy Macau further strengthens Galaxy Macau’s status as the region’s premier experiential destination, offering guests a highly curated way to experience the dynamism of the luxury resort, and all that UNESCO World Heritage–recognised Macau has to offer.
Mr Kevin Kelley, Chief Operating Officer – Macau of Galaxy Entertainment Group delivers his welcome remarks at the Opening Ceremony of Capella at Galaxy Macau.
Kevin Kelley, Chief Operating Officer – Macau of Galaxy Entertainment Group, states: “Galaxy Macau was created as a destination where the world’s finest hospitality and ultra-luxury experiences come together. We are delighted to reveal Capella at Galaxy Macau to our treasured guests from around the world; which showcases a new expression of our signature and ever-evolving ‘World Class Asian Heart’ service – that is not just personalised but anticipated; promising that true exclusivity is no longer about spectacle – but about scarcity.”
Clive Edwards, Senior Vice President, Operations, of Capella Hotel Group adds: “This strategic partnership positions Capella at Galaxy Macau as a distinctive expression of our brand vision: an intimate, residential retreat within an integrated resort context. Our guests enjoy seamless access to Galaxy’s world-class amenities while experiencing the culturally immersive hospitality that defines Capella—from our Capella Culturists to curated experiences celebrating Macau’s rich heritage.”
Mr Samuel Ding, Senior Vice President of Design and Technical Services, Capella Hotel Group, delivers a speech at the Opening Ceremony of Capella at Galaxy Macau.
A contemporary retreat where The Gilded Jungle meets the runway
Conceived with renowned Paris-based design studio Moinard Bétaille, Capella at Galaxy Macau introduces a distinct design sensibility to the city, influenced by the jungle-inspired motifs found throughout the world of fashion, defined by craftsmanship, sophistication, and vintage luxury accents.
Imagined as a gilded jungle, the undulating exteriors draw from the formations of Macau’s tropical landscape while offering a sleek, residential interpretation of ultra-luxury. Rather than enclosed opulence, the architecture and interiors emphasise soft curves and undulating fluid forms, mirroring meandering waterways, light, airflow, the organic forms of the rainforest canopy – all brought to life with tactile materiality; creating a deeply immersive and energetically aligned experience.
Interior design studio Moinard Bétaille was tasked with creating a ‘residential sanctuary in Macau.’ From the forest-like canopy at the Ground Floor Lobby arrival and the Tree of Life, to the multi-sensory digital artwork by Laura Cheung – whose hand-finished jungle inspired walls grace every suite, Bruno Moinard has composed an environment of serenity, luxury and quiet confidence. For Capella at Galaxy Macau – a collaboration with Bruno Moinard’s creative partner, Claire Bétaille – the design duo have built on their collective commitment to bespoke luxury; creating a signature new language that builds upon culture, community, tradition, and heritage craftsmanship in a way that is both distinctive and unique. Moinard states: “Our vision was to create a sense of calm, crafted elegance, a residential sanctuary that feels both intimate and timeless, set within the extraordinary environs of Galaxy Macau.”
Gentle curves, softened edges, and dappled light that mimics sunlight filtering through a rainforest canopy guides guests from the moment they enter the driveway.
Gentle curves, softened edges, and dappled light that mimics sunlight filtering through a rainforest canopy guides guests from the moment they enter the driveway, a protected space that transitions from the pulsing energy of Macau, surrounded by lush foliage that fosters a sense of calm and privacy. In an ecosystem of light, art and nature, as one steps into the Lobby, a chamber of light and running water frame the Tree of Life – the beating heart of the Lobby that pulsates in coloured light. Round pools, lush foliage, and a mustering of carved wooden storks alight, finding their place in front of the spellbinding three-metre immersive multi-sensory LED artwork by Hong Kong artist Laura Cheung, founder of artisanal luxury homeware brand LaLa Curio. Evoking the natural rhythm of a tropical jungle, the sculptural natural forms, rocks and fire pits enable the kinetic artwork to subtly transform from dawn to dusk; connecting the interior to the passage of time outside. This digital grove “breathes” with the time of day; featuring a cacophony of ambient sounds that culminate in a nightly bloom of glowing fireflies and shooting stars. A custom-handmade tumbled glass sculpture by Czech glass masters Lasvit – ‘Splash’ – cascades over the illuminated water pools.
The arrival experience unfolds on the first floor, where guests discover the gilded Lobby layered with specially commissioned artworks. Highlights include contemporary abstract gouache and oil artworks by Bruno Moinard, alongside ceramic scholar’s rocks on Amazonite marble plinths by American ceramic artist Jason Messinger, that blend the softly-hued neutral interiors with statement pieces.
Guests are welcomed by their Capella Culturist in the Capella Living Room, a brand signature reimagined here as a cocooning social salon, before being escorted to their private residences for in-suite check-in by their personal butler. “Jungle Blue” – a Bruno Moinard abstract oil painting anchors the space in Moinard’s signature Macau Blue, a nuanced hue that echoes his interior inspiration, where water meets the jungle. Here, the Capella Culturists host daily rituals such as tea ceremonies, baijiu tastings, and cultural introductions.
The ultimate exemplar of penthouse living
Capella at Galaxy Macau delivers a rare combination of grandeur, serenity and exclusivity.
Capella at Galaxy Macau delivers a rare combination of grandeur, serenity and exclusivity. Offering the largest rooms in Southern China, the Capella Penthouses are among the most remarkable accommodations ever introduced in the territory. Two- and four-bedroom penthouses offer expansive indoor-outdoor living, with sliding glass doors opening onto breezy, light-filled terraces, sun rooms and glass-walled outdoor private infinity pools overlooking futuristic Hengqin island – where visionary engineering meets architectural finesse – achievements previously unseen in the region. Artisanship is apparent in the details, such as the penthouse entrance doors featuring bespoke woven horsehair panelling lining, offering superior acoustic protection and a refined, luxurious patina. Four-bedroom penthouses, spanning close to 700 square metres, include a private Winter Garden with its diamond-stitched leather upholstery inspired by vintage automotive seats; wellness room with state-of-the-art massage chair and TechnoGym personal training equipment, games room with foosball table, and butler pantry. A den-like, soundproofed media and entertainment room houses a state-of-the-art home theatre and karaoke system, while airy, spa-like marble bathrooms feature generous soaking tubs and ultra-spacious his and hers showers. Two-bedroom penthouses include many of the same bespoke amenities, along with a dedicated VIK (Very Important Kids) room for family travellers.
The Capella Penthouses are among the most remarkable accommodations ever introduced in the territory, each equipped with private swimming pool for the utmost sense of leisure.
One- and two-bedroom suites begin at 128 square metres and feature indoor relaxation pools, sunbeds, Amazonite marble bathrooms with mosaic floors, and polished finishes. Bedrooms are accentuated with jungle-inspired, hand-finished wall coverings by LaLa Curio, extending into canopy-like ceilings.
A heightened and singular service philosophy
Capella at Galaxy Macau brings together a union of award-winning hospitality for exceptional personalization. With Capella Hotels and Resorts voted the “No.1 Hotel Brand in the World” in Travel + Leisure’s World’s Best Awards for the third consecutive year, Capella’s globally recognised service philosophy finds a new home in the most accentuated expression of Galaxy Macau’s signature and ever-evolving World Class Asian Heart service.
Every guest enjoys 24-hour butler service, packing and unpacking of luggage, a complimentary minibar, premium Chinese tea sets, Officina Profumo-Farmaceutica Santa Maria Novella bath amenities, locally-sourced pre-batched cocktails and a Bugatti kettle and Illy IperEspresso Professional Machine for the ultimate precision-brewed coffee experience. Dedicated Capella butlers – unique to this hotel – and Capella Culturists work seamlessly together to intuitively shape each stay around individual preferences; promising that true exclusivity is no longer about spectacle – but about rarity and experience.
Culturists curate bespoke experiences connecting guests to Macau’s heritage and contemporary culture, from art tours and baijiu tastings to culinary masterclasses with Stephen Hsu, the executive chef of Capella at Galaxy Macau’s signature restaurant Botanica, or private helicopter and walking tours arranged with insider access.
A dining destination for connoisseurs
As part of Galaxy Macau’s reputation as one of Asia’s most celebrated gastronomic destinations, Capella at Galaxy Macau introduces three highly anticipated dining and bar concepts.
Pony & Plume, a whisky and cocktail bar and divan designed by Moinard Bẽtaille, reveals a haven of hidden delights and secret spaces, waiting to be revealed. Set to become a vibrant Macau destination hotspot in its own right, the bar’s name is its creed: the “pony” – a precise measure of spirit – represents intention in every pour, while the “plume” is the bar’s calling card, introduced as an aromatic cloud of smoke that infuses its signature cocktails, bar snacks and the divan experience. Home to more than 650 whiskies curated across eight flavour profiles, the venue celebrates precision, ritual, and the aroma, from rare and limited-edition bottles to guided tastings and signature smoke-infused cocktails inspired by Macau’s cultural eclecticism and morsels designed to appeal to connoisseurs and the curious alike. Featuring a cabinet of the world’s rarest unicorn whiskies, even the private reserve of whisky casks of provenance might be sighted by those in-the-know.
Botanica, a 48-seat restaurant led by Executive Chef Stephen Hsu, serves international comfort classics reimagined with Asian influences for the global palate. Light floods the tropical interiors by Moinard Bétaille, where indoor water reflections feature beneath imaginary jungle vines and a cluster of soft, pillow-like fungi stretch across the high ceilings. Ornamental glass screens and trellises add to an ambient space punctuated by climbing botanicals and sculptural works by Mexican artist Joel Escalona, creating a casual yet refined atmosphere.
Further elevating Galaxy Macau’s culinary stature, acclaimed Hong Kong chef Vicky Cheng will open an independent fine-dining restaurant within Capella at Galaxy Macau in 2026. The Michelin-starred chef and Krug Ambassador, whose Wing restaurant is ranked number three on the Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants 2025 list, is set to present modern French cuisine shaped by his distinctive and adventurous culinary vision.
Francis Lui, Chairman of Galaxy Entertainment Group, concludes: “Capella at Galaxy Macau’s architecture, service, gastronomy, and residential privacy create a singular experience for our top percentile of VIP guests, one that sets a new reference point for hospitality in Macau and globally. Our design and operations teams have worked tirelessly to bring the vision for Capella at Galaxy Macau to life in close partnership with Capella Hotel Group. Together, we have crafted the most intimate, elevated, and personalised way to experience our global entertainment and leisure resort offering; creating a true sanctuary, where every stay unfolds as a bespoke retreat, shaped by design, culture, and service at the highest level.”
Hashtag: #GalaxyMacau
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
Hanoi, Vietnam – Media OutReach Newswire – 10 February 2026 – With a high-quality team and the ambition to bring humanoid robots into everyday life, VinDynamics has officially introduced two key leaders, President La Manh Hung and Chief Technology Officer Nguyen Quang Vinh. Their partnership unites world-class research expertise and the ability to turn research into market-ready products, positioning the company for rapid progress in the near term.
In robotics, harmonizing cutting-edge research with real-world application remains a central challenge. VinDynamics addresses this by pairing Professor La Manh Hung, who shapes the vision through a rigorous scientific research foundation, with Nguyen Quang Vinh, who focuses on converting concepts into reliable systems used in real-world environments. Their shared objective is Robots for Everyone, where robots serve as practical assistants that make daily life easier, safer, and more efficient.
La Manh Hung, the chief architect bringing global expertise back to Vietnam
At the helm of VinDynamics is Mr. La Manh Hung, a robotics professor and Director of the Advanced Robotics and Automation Laboratory at the University of Nevada, Reno in the United States. He is a recipient of the NSF CAREER Award and has received the Charles Pankow Award from the American Society of Civil Engineers twice. He also founded AIR Corp, a robotics startup backed by several major US-based investment funds.
With more than 20 years of experience, over 170 scientific publications, more than 9,000 citations, and research funding exceeding 12 million US dollars, Professor Hung serves as “chief architect” of VinDynamics long-term vision. He leads efforts to connect global research ecosystem and to establish advanced robotics standards for the company in Vietnam.
Explaining his decision to lead VinDynamics, President La Manh Hung said the move reflects both a technology opportunity and a commitment to contribute to his home country. “VinDynamics focuses on developing intelligent, safe, and versatile humanoid robots. We want robots not to remain distant technological achievements, but to become a natural, practical part of life that helps people live happier lives,” he emphasized.
CTO Nguyen Quang Vinh: Bringing robots from the lab to the real world
If Mr. La Manh Hung represents research depth, Chief Technology Officer Nguyen Quang Vinh represents execution-focused engineering.
After graduating as valedictorian of the Talented Engineer Program in Automatic Control at Hanoi University of Science and Technology, he completed five years of doctoral research on human locomotion and spent six years in the US-based robotics startup sector.
Before joining VinDynamics, he served as Head of Control and Behavior at Ghost Robotics, one of the world-leading developers of quadruped robots. He played a key role in designing control and behavior systems that enable robots to operate reliably in demanding real-world settings across security, industrial, and service applications.
At VinDynamics, Mr. Nguyen Quang Vinh focuses on system-architecture standardization, safety optimization, and scalable production. His thinking is very clear: “Robots only have real value when they operate reliably, safely, and deliver measurable results in everyday life.”
Under this leadership team and a highly-qualified group of international engineers and specialists, VinDynamics has already achieved notable milestones. Its first humanoid prototype, Dyno, reached stable walking capability after just four months of development, an accelerated timeline by global startup standards.
With a strong leadership foundation and a clearly-defined strategy, VinDynamics is positioned to advance Make-in-Vietnam humanoid robots into practical deployment, serving both domestic needs and international markets.
Hashtag: #VinDynamics
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 10 February 2026 – MSIG Singapore has been named Digital Insurer of the Year at The Asset Triple A Digital Finance Awards 2026.
The Asset Triple A Digital Finance Awards stand as a prestigious benchmark in the industry, celebrating trailblazing innovation and outstanding digital experiences that redefine customer engagement.
Over the past year, MSIG Singapore has delivered strong financial results that has seen a double-digit increase in retail customers and policy count from online channels.
The company has also strengthened its digital proposition by broadening its suite of personal lines products, designing solutions guided by deep customer insights and data‑driven analytics. Strategic partnerships and tie-ups have also further boosted insurance accessibility and value proposition to its customers.
Through the adoption of Generative AI and RPA-driven straight-through processing, the company has elevated both service quality and operational excellence. These advancements have delivered substantial productivity gains, saving over 31,000 hours annually and have enabled twenty percent of travel claims to be automatically approved and paid within 48 hours.
Commenting on the award, Steven Leong, Head of Retail Distribution, MSIG Singapore, said “This recognition is a testament to the unwavering dedication of our people, and we are grateful to our business partners whose support has enabled us to scale new heights once again. This award not only celebrates how far we have come but also strengthens our ambition to advance MSIG’s leadership as a digital‑first insurer in Singapore.”
Hashtag: #MSIGSingapore
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
SINGAPORE / KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA / HANOI, VIETNAM – Media OutReach Newswire – 10 February 2026 – Coca‑Cola® is celebrating Lunar New Year and Tết 2026 by refreshing time-honoured traditions through the creativity of a new generation, inviting families across Vietnam, Singapore, and Malaysia to preserve what they love about the festival while shaping it in ways that feel personal and relevant today.
This year’s Lunar New Year/ Tết campaign focuses on re-engaging Gen Z as the new torchbearers of tradition, encouraging them to carry the New Year celebration forward by honouring its meaning while expressing it in their own creative ways — side by side with parents, grandparents, and extended family.
The campaign was built from ground up with local teams, allowing each country to lead with its own cultural stories, symbols, and rituals while being quietly connected by a shared idea of co-creation and togetherness.
“Our ambition with Lunar New Year/Têt was to help keep our beautiful traditions alive by inviting younger generations to take part in shaping them,” says Tin Le Trung, Coca-Cola Trademark Category Lead in ASEAN & South Pacific. “Across our markets, we worked closely with local teams to reimagine familiar rituals, not replace them but to refresh them. Whether it’s re-interpreting Tết symbols in Vietnam or bridging generations together through music in Singapore and Malaysia, the goal was to create celebrations that feel meaningful, joyful, and shared.”
A Shared Festive Look, Brought to Life Through Local Craft
At the heart of the campaign is a festive visual identity inspired by Asian craftsmanship, created in partnership with global brand and design consultancy Elmwood. Seen on cans, packaging, retail displays, and digital touchpoints, the system unifies the shared festive foundation, while giving each market the freedom to express its own cultural character.
Across markets, the idea of bringing generations together, like threads woven into a single celebration, shapes how the campaign comes to life. From storytelling and social content to live experiences and festive packaging, each activation invites people not just to enjoy Lunar New Year, but to take part in creating it together.
Celebration in Every Detail: Fireworks – universal symbols of joy and new beginnings – are reimagined through the lens of Asian craftsmanship. The design incorporates textural details developed with cultural inspiration from Asia’s intricate embroidery, Vietnamese brocade, and Peranakan beadwork, creating a modern, inclusive style that reflects regional diversity and artistry.
Standout Shelf Presence: Anchored by the auspicious Golden Swallows in flight alongside peach/apricot blossoms and lucky red money envelopes to symbolize and encourage family connection (in Vietnam), and limited-edition can designs featuring bold, spirit horses charging alongside flowers, ingots, oriental fans, and bamboo – each a symbol of fortune, longevity, and success (in Singapore Malaysia) – the designs make every Coca-Cola pack a collectible festive keepsake and a meaningful gift for family and loved ones.
“Our ambition was to create an identity that feels universally festive yet deeply local. For example, brocade isn’t just textile, it’s storytelling that celebrates and unites the 54 diverse ethnic groups in Vietnam,” said Lisa Balm, Executive Creative Director, Elmwood Asia. “The embroidery and weaving technique evoke intricate detail and richness, creating a culturally layered aesthetic that feels both intimate and celebratory. By focusing on shared symbols and reimagining them through the artistry and cultural depth of Asian craftsmanship, we created a single visual language that successfully translates across Tet and Lunar New Year.”
Locally focused Creative Platforms in Action
Vietnam: ‘Weaving a New Tet’
In Vietnam’s fast emerging, tech savvy market, the campaign theme “Dệt Nên Tết Mới” (“Weave a New Tet”) encourages Gen Z to create new traditions with their families. At the heart of the campaign lies a short film ‘Stitched Together’ which tells a story of a traditional family reunion, brought to life by innovative AI technology. The film is centred on the Vietnamese brocade art form, with every character, object & gesture in the film. The campaign is further amplified with a mini three-episode social film series where each episode heroes a Tet cultural item reimagined through modern visual storytelling, encouraging families to see familiar traditions into a new light.
For Gen Z, TET meals often feel predictable. The Coke Half-Half Tablecloth transforms the dining table into a festive centerpiece, visually dividing the table into two halves: one for honoring beloved Tet classics and the other for showcasing modern global flavors Gen Z craves. To inspire creativity, Coca‑Cola released a curated collection of Half-Half table ideas, blending traditional dishes with bold twists like sushi rolls, tacos, and fusion sliders.
Coke Drinkable Pháo, inspired by the crackle of firecrackers, adds a playful layer of interaction. The episode features a Vietnamese family coming together to thread strings through iconic Coca-Cola cans, tying them together to create a vibrant, eye-catching red firecracker display that is both modern and traditional. The “click” of a can opening not only signals the start of a refreshing sip but also heralds the grand beginning of the Tet celebration. Everyone lends a hand, chatting as they work – this is when the whole family “weaves” a new New Year by drawing closer together, transforming the often tedious task of cleaning into a bonding moment filled with laughter.
Coke Red Envelope: For Gen Z, the age-old Lì Xì tradition often feels like a draining ritual. The reimagined “Lì Xì from the heart” reimagines the traditional red envelope, turning it from a simple, functional gift into something deeply meaningful. Beyond lucky banknotes, each envelope holds priceless treasures from the giver’s heart: an old family photo with the promise ‘Let me take care of the family matters,’ a handwritten note telling his sister to ‘always smile brightly,’ and even a jogging date for his younger brother—each one celebrating connection, creativity and care.
Singapore & Malaysia: A Cross‑Border LNY Anthem
In Singapore and Malaysia, where festive music powers connection across generations, the theme “Grab a Coke & Huat Together this New Yearl” centers on an original Lunar New Year Anthem, 可口可樂，共創好年” that anchors a wider social-first and on-ground celebration, encouraging participation across generations both online and offline.
Music for All Generations: The song blends festive orchestration with contemporary Pop and Rap, performed by 3P (Malaysia) and Mayiduo (Singapore), and was developed hand‑in‑hand with local teams to reflect cross‑border festive traditions. From decorating homes with modernised calligraphy scrolls to gifting blind boxes in place of traditional angpaos, the music video showcases generations for all ages coming together, bridged through meaningful experiences led by Gen Z.
Immersive On Ground Experiences: In the bustling hearts of Singapore and Malaysia, vibrant experiential activations come to life, inviting families to enjoy and immerse themselves in a rich tapestry of uplifting activities such as calligraphy, fortune telling, and creating their own version of the Lunar New Year anthem.
From Social to Store
Designed as a fully integrated campaign, the Coca-Cola Lunar New Year / Tet 2026 celebrations unfold across social storytelling, live experiences, festive packaging, and in-store moments. From shareable films and music-led participation to large-scale festive activations and easy access at retail, the campaign connects celebrations with everyday moments – making it simple for families to take part whether at home, online, or in-store.
Partnerships with Grab, e-commerce platforms, supermarkets, and convenience stores ensure that festive moments flow naturally from celebration to purchase, supporting both traditional trade and modern retail.
By placing local culture and human creativity at the centre, and by inviting Gen Z to play an active role in preserving Lunar New Year traditions, Coca-Cola shows how brands can help keep cultural celebrations meaningful – not by standing apart from tradition but by celebrating it together with the people who will carry it forward.
For more information, visit www.cocacola.com or follow Coca-Cola on Facebook and Instagram.
Hashtag: #Cocacola
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
Unifying the Mixed-Use Portfolio of Iconic “66” Brand with Enriching Experiences and Brand Collaborations
HONG KONG SAR and SHANGHAI, CHINA – Media OutReach Newswire – 10 February 2026 – Hang Lung Properties Limited (SEHK stock code: 00101) (“Hang Lung” or the “Company”) is kicking off its 66th anniversary celebrations in the Chinese Mainland with a first look at the year-round exclusive experiences, bespoke offers, and strategic partnerships curated under the theme “66 and beyond.” Throughout 2026, the Company will bring this milestone to life across its retail, office, and hotel portfolio, showcasing one-of-a-kind collaborations and experiences designed to enrich lives and connect communities.
The Chinese New Year campaign across ten “66” malls in eight Mainland cities kicks off Hang Lung’s 66th anniversary celebrations
Rooted in the Company’s identity, “66” traces back to Plaza 66 at 1266 West Nanjing Road in Shanghai, and has since evolved into a symbol of Hang Lung’s mixed-use portfolio in the Mainland. “66 and beyond” captures the spirit of that evolution, signifying the Company’s limitless potential for the future.
As the first quarterly highlight of the anniversary year, celebrations began with the nationwide Chinese New Year campaign, “Find Your Steed, Forge Your Path“(隆馬新程), running from now until March 3, 2026. Taking place across ten “66” malls in eight Mainland cities, the campaign invites customers to explore contemporary installations that reinterpret traditional auspicious motifs along with engaging workshops and offers tailored to the cultural spirit of each city.
Hang Lung is also rolling out the year-round “66 and beyond” hotel offers, celebrating the milestone through thoughtfully curated stay, dining, and wellness experiences.
Conrad Shenyang has launched a special room rate at 66% of the Best Available Rate, an exclusive F&B set at RMB666, a special wellness experience package, and more.
Grand Hyatt Kunming is offering the complimentary Hang Lung 66th Anniversary Benefits Package to all room guests, featuring beauty, dining and other coupons at Spring City 66; a SPA Thai Aromatic Massage at RMB666; the 66th Anniversary Afternoon Tea, and special F&B menus priced at RMB66 across the hotel’s restaurants and bars, among others.
Conrad Shenyang and Grand Hyatt Kunming have launched the “66 and beyond” hotel offers
The anniversary celebrations will continue to unfold throughout 2026, with more exclusive experiences and special moments to be announced in the coming quarters, inviting customers, tenants, and communities to celebrate “66 and beyond”.
Key milestones of the “66” brand
Appendix – Details of “66 and beyond” hotel offers
Hotel
Offers
Conrad Shenyang
Guestroom
Room rate at 66% of the Best Available Rate for Premium Room and above.
Deluxe Room Package at RMB1,660 and Deluxe Suite Package at RMB2,266, each including complimentary room upgrade and F&B allowance of RMB660.
Laundry coupon at RMB66, with a redemption value of RMB100.
Others
F&B Set for Two at RMB666 at The Gallery, The Archive, LINK Restaurant and Man Tang.
Fitness center pass at RMB6,666, including 30 sessions and six additional trial vouchers; single-session access available at RMB166.
Wedding discount voucher at RMB6,666, with a redemption value of RMB10,000.
Grand Hyatt Kunming
Guestroom
Complimentary Hang Lung 66th Anniversary Benefits Package for all room guests, including beauty, dining and other coupons at Spring City 66.
Hang Lung 66th Anniversary Suite Package at RMB2,866, including the “66th Anniversary Afternoon Tea” for two at Patine Lounge and complimentary upgrade to Grand Club Lounge benefits for HOUSE 66’s Ruby Tier members and above.
Wellness
SPA Thai Aromatic Massage at RMB666.
60-minute SPA Aromatherapy Full Body Massage at RMB366 for HOUSE 66’s Agate Tier members and above.
One-month and annual membership card of the fitness center at RMB1,666 and RMB8,866 respectively for HOUSE 66’s Agate Tier members and above.
F&B
Signature dishes at RMB66 at Yun Xiang Chinese Restaurant, Grand Café, Osara Restaurant, and Altitude Bar for HOUSE 66’s Ruby Tier members and above.
10% service charge waiver on wedding package for HOUSE 66’s Sapphire and Emerald Tier members.
For complete details, please refer to the hotel’s official website, WeChat mini-program, or other official channels. More information will be announced in due course.
http://www.hanglung.com/
Hashtag: #HangLungProperties
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
TAIPEI, TAIWAN – Media OutReach Newswire – 10 February 2026 – CyCraft Technology Corporation (TWSE: 7823), Taiwan’s first pure-play AI-native cybersecurity company, has officially listed on the Taiwan Stock Exchange Innovation Board, marking a major milestone for Asia’s emerging AI-driven security leaders.
CyCraft’s founders joined representatives from the Taiwan Stock Exchange, Yuanta Securities, auditors, and legal advisors to celebrate the company’s listing on the TWSE Innovation Board.
CyCraft is forged in one of the world’s most challenging cyber environments. Taiwan faces persistent and large-scale cyber threats from highly-motivated threat actors targeting government, semiconductor supply chains, financial systems, and critical infrastructure. Rather than theorizing about threats, CyCraft has spent years defending against them at national and industry scale.
That experience has produced real-world operational advantages global markets increasingly demand: early-warning intelligence, autonomous machine-speed defense, and field-proven AI automation that cannot be casually replicated.
As generative AI reshapes software development, many SaaS categories face commoditization through “vibe-coding.” Cybersecurity stands apart. Mission-critical defense requires real adversarial data, ultra-low latency, zero-configuration precision, continuous adaptation against sophisticated attacks, and regulatory-grade trust. These capabilities are not synthetic. AI does not replace cyber defense—it amplifies defenders who already operate in real operational environments.
CyCraft’s platform is built around three growth engines:
Enterprise Cyber Resilience.
Its flagship XCockpit AI platform operates over 600K sensors, protecting hundreds of government agencies, financial institutions, and semiconductor leaders across Asia-Pacific. The platform delivers preemptive exposure discovery, automated attack-path simulation, SEMI E187-compliant supply-chain risk mapping, and autonomous triage and response. The shift from reactive protection to preemptive resilience defines CyCraft’s core value proposition.
AI Agent & LLM Security.
As enterprises deploy LLMs and autonomous agents, CyCraft addresses a rapidly emerging risk layer. XecGuard provides ultra-low-latency AI guardrails to detect and prevent prompt injection, jailbreaks, data exfiltration, and tool misuse in real time. Paired with XecART, an automated red-teaming and evaluation platform, CyCraft delivers a scalable, cloud-based and on-prem AI gateway for secure multi-agent orchestration.
The XecGuard and XecART dashboards enable enterprise AI governance with real-time guardrails, automated red teaming, and flexible deployment via on-premises environments or cloud-based APIs.
Enterprise Cyber Resilience.
Its flagship XCockpit AI platform operates over 600K sensors, protecting hundreds of government agencies, financial institutions, and semiconductor leaders across Asia-Pacific. The platform delivers preemptive exposure discovery, automated attack-path simulation, SEMI E187-compliant supply-chain risk mapping, and autonomous triage and response. The shift from reactive protection to preemptive resilience defines CyCraft’s core value proposition.
AI Agent & LLM Security.
As enterprises deploy LLMs and autonomous agents, CyCraft addresses a rapidly emerging risk layer. XecGuard provides ultra-low-latency AI guardrails to detect and prevent prompt injection, jailbreaks, data exfiltration, and tool misuse in real time. Paired with XecART, an automated red-teaming and evaluation platform, CyCraft delivers a scalable, cloud-based and on-prem AI gateway for secure multi-agent orchestration.
The XecGuard and XecART dashboards enable enterprise AI governance with real-time guardrails, automated red teaming, and flexible deployment via on-premises environments or cloud-based APIs.
XecGuard enables enterprise AI governance with real-time guardrails and flexible deployment via on-premises environments or cloud-based APIs.
Unmanned Systems Security.
CyCraft’s XecDefend platform pioneers cyber protection and disruption capabilities for AI-driven anti-drone defense. The solution enables autonomous detection, soft-kill response, and resilient protection for unmanned aerial, maritime, and ground systems—offering software-defined defense for critical infrastructure and defense supply chains.
CyCraft’s credibility is reinforced by third-party validation, including seven appearances in Gartner research, three MITRE ATT&CK evaluations with zero-configuration and zero-latency performance, and the “Next-Big” Award from former Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen, recognizing CyCraft as the “TSMC of cybersecurity.”.
In 2025 alone, CyCraft handled multiple critical incidents for Taiwan-listed companies and completed over ten forensic investigations in support of cyber insurance engagements in Japan.
Chairman Benson Wu stated, “In Taiwan, with AI, we help secure the world. This listing accelerates our global expansion through organic growth and strategic M&A. Our goal is to surpass 50% overseas revenue by 2030 and build Asia’s most trusted AI-native cybersecurity brand.”
Disclaimer: The information contained herein does not constitute advice.
Labour leader Chris Hipkins.RNZ / Samuel Rillstone
Labour is getting closer to confirming support for the India Free Trade agreement, but says the full text has raised more questions that need answering.
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Trade Minister Todd McClay announced the agreement three days before Christmas, touting wins for several industries.
During the announcement, New Zealand First leader Winston Peters revealed he would not be supporting the deal, saying it gave away too much – particularly on immigration – for too little, including dairy.
The divide between the coalition parties means National and ACT will need support from at least one opposition party to get legislation as part of the deal through Parliament.
McClay later revealed NZ First had [https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/585343/nz-first-pulled-support-for-india-fta-before-it-was-secured-todd-mcclay-reveals expressed its disagreement before the announcement.
Labour leader Chris Hipkins on Tuesday said the party expected to write to the prime minister by the end of the week setting out conditions for Labour’s support.
“Just got to do a little bit of wordsmithing on that,” he said. “We clearly have some concerns about the potential exploitation of migrant workers, where we think the government is not doing enough, and we’re going to set out things that we want to see the government doing in that area. And I’ll set the rest of it out in due course.
“The government will need to do something that they have not yet done, which is that they’ll need to sit down and have a conversation with us rather than saying ‘this is the agreement that we have signed, you should just support it’.”
Coalition members had previously been relying on summaries provided by officials, as is usual.
Hipkins and Peters both confirmed their teams had received copies of the full text of the agreement in recent days, with Hipkins indicating that had added complications.
“We’ve got more questions now than we might have had based on the information the government gave us when they announced the deal,” he said.
He said US President Donald Trump’s tariffs had opened the path to securing the deal.
“Everything changed in India as a result of recent developments around Trump, a lot of countries suddenly got access to negotiate trade agreements that they had been really struggling to get,” he said.
He said New Zealand had come out of the process “with a deal that isn’t as good as other countries have been able to secure”.
Rather than blame the negotiators, he pointed the finger at Luxon’s public commitment to secure a deal before the 2026 election.
“Ultimately, those negotiators work within the parameters set by the government. Christopher Luxon tied their hands behind their back. When he said that he was going to secure a deal before the election come hell or high water, that immediately made their job a lot harder.”
He again expressed frustration at the process.
“They could have spoken to us through these negotiations so that we would have been fully familiar with what it is that they were signing us up to. They chose not to do that.”
McClay said the deal was being “legally scrubbed and verified”, and once that was complete “it’ll be available to not only all parties, it’ll be available to the public”.
He said he was happy to keep answering Labour’s questions.
“There is nothing pressing over the next few weeks. But I think the business committee would like to know their position soon.”
He was asked if he regretted not approaching Labour earlier, given he knew NZ First’s stance.
“We have absolutely no regrets at all in doing a trade deal with one of the most populous countries of the world, and probably the best trade deal that India has done with anybody so far. It more than levels the playing field for Kiwi exporters,” McClay said.
He could not remember Labour ever having approached National for support on the EU trade deal, he said – and rejected the idea that was because Labour had a majority, so did not need National’s support.
“In essence I think they probably did, because they didn’t put it … into law when they were a government.”
Student migration stoush
Confusion has continued to surround aspects of the deal relating to student migration.
Documents released by the government point to a handful of provisions for migration:
1667 three-year work visas a year, capped at 5000 total visas at any one time. Focused on priority roles on the Green List like doctors, nurses, teachers, ICT and engineering jobs, specialised health services, traditional medicine practitioners, music teachers, chefs and yoga instructors
Up to 1000 places on New Zealand’s Working Holiday Scheme (ages 18-30)
Codifies the right for Indian students to work up to 20 hours a week (within the current policy of up to 25 hours)
Post-Study Work Visas: 2-year for Bachelors students graduating from a NZ institution, 3-year for STEM bachelors and masters, 4-year for PhD students
A document released by the Indian government claimed the FTA would also remove numerical caps on Indian students, but no such cap exists.
International Students seeking visas need funds to be a student, and need to have been accepted to a place at a university or other learning institution, naturally limiting the number of students who can arrive.
Rules were also changed in 2022 to limit international students learning below degree level from working. It meant such students could only work in-demand sectors related to their study, based on the Green List.
While the text of the deal is still secret, McClay and Luxon have both maintained it makes no changes to the government’s ability to impose a cap at a later date.
“No, the New Zealand government, going forward, can make its own independent decisions about what it wants to do with respect to export education, what it wants to do with respect to visas, and any government can make changes to that,” Luxon said.
ACT leader David Seymour agreed.
“And I don’t believe that it’s significant if there was for the simple reason that we have never had a cap … when you restrict the quality and the price of the courses, that changes the quality of the people coming, so you can control it that way,” he said.
Peters claimed something different, however.
“There is a cap now, but the cap is controlled by the country of origin, and the parents of origin paying for the export education. This has changed, and that’s why it’s dramatically different. Our economy will be paying for the export education. So it’s not truly export education,” he said.
Hipkins said he was “still working my way through that”.
“There is conflicting advice coming from the government on that, particularly if you look at their public statements … once we understand what the government is signing us up for, then we’ll set out, set out our views on principle.”
He said Peters’ claims about the deal did not seem to line up with the official advice.
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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand
BANGKOK, THAILAND – Media OutReach Newswire – 10 February 2026 – As Asia-Pacific travel continues its strong rebound, Bangkok is reaffirming its status as one of the region’s most compelling cultural and retail destinations—particularly during the Chinese New Year season. In February 2026, Thailand’s capital will transform into a festive hub of heritage, gastronomy, and world-class shopping.
Voralak Tulaphorn Chief Marketing Officer, The Mall Group
While Songkran marks Thailand’s traditional New Year, the Lunar New Year holds cultural significance across the country, shaped by generations of Thai-Chinese heritage. Each year, the festival drives one of Thailand’s most dynamic travel and consumption periods, attracting domestic and international visitors seeking meaningful cultural experiences alongside premium lifestyle offerings.
From 12–22 February 2026, The Mall Group—operator of flagship destinations including Siam Paragon, Emporium, EmQuartier, Emsphere, and The Mall Lifestore—will stage one of Southeast Asia’s largest Chinese New Year celebrations. Developed in collaboration with the Tourism Authority of Thailand, the Ministry of Culture, and major global partners such as Trip.com, UnionPay, Alipay, WeChat Pay, and iQIYI, the campaign positions Bangkok as a regional gateway for festive travel, luxury retail, and cultural immersion.
Under the theme Joy, Luck, Love, the festival blends entertainment, tradition, and emotional connection. Highlights include an immersive collaboration with iQIYI, bringing a popular Chinese drama to life through experiential installations designed for today’s social and digital-first travelers. Cultural authenticity takes center stage with the installation of a Guan Yu Heavenly Temple replica, offering visitors an opportunity to engage with auspicious rituals rooted in centuries-old tradition.
Food and shopping remain central pillars of the celebration. Across The Mall Group’s destinations, visitors can explore more than 3,000 auspicious dishes curated from renowned restaurants and Michelin Bib Gourmand-listed establishments, reinforcing Bangkok’s reputation as a global culinary capital. At EM District, the Chinese Boulevard Food Market and Yunnan cultural showcases enhance the experience with regional flavors, crafts, and interactive workshops.
To encourage international travel, The Mall Group will launch exclusive tourist privileges from late January to early March 2026, including shopping rewards and cash incentives tailored for overseas visitors.
By combining cultural heritage, festive celebration, and premium retail, Joy Luck Love Chinese New Year 2026 positions Bangkok not only as a place to celebrate—but as a destination where culture, commerce, and travel converge, inviting Asia-Pacific travelers to begin the Lunar New Year in one of the region’s most dynamic cities.
Please attribute the following to Acting Sergeant Mike Skates, Foxton Police:
Police in Foxton and Foxton Beach are proactively dealing with reports made over bad driving on dirt and quad bikes in the area.
Three bikes have already been impounded, and several young people have been spoken to in relation to the reports. Charges have not been ruled out.
Police would like to urge all quad bike and dirt bike riders to ride safely. Wear your helmets, drive to a safe speed, and keep in your lane.
Police are asking the public to continue to make reports on dangerous driving so that officers can follow them up and hold offenders to account.
Photos and video footage is helpful for Police to follow up on offenders that quickly speed off when driving unlawfully. These can also be used to identify the bikes, hotspots and times dangerous driving occurs and helps to identify the riders.
If you see any dangerous driving, call 111 immediately.
Max Elsmore is building a future in the construction industry after completing a certificate in carpentry at EIT Tairāwhiti.
The 20-year-old from Gisborne completed the NZ Certificate in Construction Trade Skills (Carpentry Strand) (Level 3) last year, and has recently begun a building apprenticeship with Brendan Fry Building Ltd.
“The course prepared me really well. It helped me understand what was going to be happening on site and what would be expected of me.”
Max Elsmore completed the NZ Certificate in Construction Trade Skills (Carpentry) (Level 3) last year, and has recently begun a building apprenticeship with Brendan Fry Building Ltd.
His pathway into trades began while he was in Year 12 at Gisborne Boys’ High School through the Trades Academy – a year-long trades programme for secondary students.
“That gave me a good idea of what I was actually interested in.”
After leaving school at the end of Year 12, Max spent time working in several jobs before deciding to commit to a trade career.
“I tried a few different things, but none of them really stuck. That’s when I decided to go back to EIT and get some proper knowledge behind me.”
Encouraged by discussions with EIT Assistant Head of Trades (Tairāwhiti) Tim Jagusch, Max enrolled in the NZ Certificate in Construction Trade Skills (Carpentry Strand) (Level 3) – a 36-week course focused on core building skills, tool use and worksite expectations.
He said the learning environment at EIT played a key role in preparing him for employment.
“The tutor explained things in a way I could understand, and the class was really good. We shared information and helped each other out, which made it easier to learn.”
Now in the early stages of his apprenticeship, Max says he is enjoying the challenge of working on site and learning from experienced builders.
“I’m enjoying learning everything about it. My workmates are keen to teach me, which makes it even better.”
As part of his apprenticeship, Max will continue completing theory and assessments through EIT’s NZ Certificate in Carpentry (Level 4) alongside his practical training.
For Max, the appeal of building lies in seeing projects take shape.
“Watching something being built from the ground up is pretty satisfying. Knowing you helped create something that will be there for a long time – that’s what I enjoy most.”
Looking ahead, he hopes to become a qualified builder, gain his Licensed Building Practitioner status, and eventually run his own business.
“I’d like to get qualified first, and then maybe one day have my own building business if that’s achievable.”
He encourages others considering trades training to explore study at EIT.
“It’s a great place to learn. And it’s a really good environment.”
Howard Irving, School of Trades and Technology Tutor, said Max arrived on the course genuinely eager to learn, and that enthusiasm showed from day one.
“His consistent attendance and positive attitude made him an absolute pleasure to teach. The supportive environment created by us, along with the encouragement from his fellow ākonga, helped Max thrive throughout the programme. Altogether, these factors contributed to a highly successful pre trade experience and set him up with a solid foundation for his future pathway.”
HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 9 February 2026 – Voicecomm Technology Co., Ltd. (“Voicecomm Technology” or the “Company”, Stock Code: 2495.HK), one of the leading enterprises in Conversational Artificial Intelligence (CoAI), is pleased to announce that it has successfully won the bid for the “South Sichuan Intelligent Valley AI Vertical Large Model Innovation Platform (川南智谷人工智能垂直大模型創新平台)- Silver Economy Construction and Operation Project” in Neijiang City, Sichuan Province. The total contract value is close to 300 million RMB, including approximately RMB 150 million for the initial platform construction costs; and approximately RMB 140 million for medium- to long-term project operation costs. This indicates that Voicecomm Technology has successfully established a full-stack service closed loop of “construction + operation”. This project marks a significant breakthrough for the Company in pioneering the new strategic track of “AI + healthcare” and represents its first replicable city-level smart elderly care benchmark project.
According to report from iResearch, as the end of 2024, China’s population aged 60 and above has exceeded 310 million, accounting for 22.0% of the total population. As the first city-level AI elderly care project, this not only affirms Voicecomm Technology’s position in the “AI + Elderly Care” sector but also signals a new trend in government investment towards smart elderly care—shifting from infrastructure construction to pursuing effective operational services.
Mr. Sun Qi, Founder and Executive Director ofVoicecomm Technology Co., Ltd., said: “China is accelerating into a phase of deep aging, and the needs of hundreds of millions of elderly people constitute a vast blue ocean. Faced with the challenges of an aging society today, we aim to leverage artificial intelligence technology to explore a new, scientifically-driven path for elderly care. The Neijiang project is our first demonstration project in the healthcare sector. Its core lies not in stacking hardware but in using AI as the engine to make elderly care services truly intelligent and smooth, thereby enhancing the quality of life and dignity of the elderly. We hope to build this project into a replicable model for more cities to learn from.”
This project is expected to become a powerful engine for activating the silver economy in Neijiang City. Guided by national Smart Elderly Care policies, the project is anticipated to drive an annual output value exceeding 1 billion RMB in the local elderly care service industry and create a large number of job opportunities. By establishing a unified smart health and elderly care service platform, the project will strive to build a “15-minute elderly care service circle,” achieving deep integration between technology and people’s livelihoods.
Since its establishment in 2005, Voicecomm Technology has been committed to the research and application of Conversational Artificial Intelligence and unified communications technologies. Its solutions cover multiple scenarios in fields such as city management and administration, automotive and transportation, telecommunications, finance, healthcare, and energy management. This successful bid once again unveils Voicecomm Technology’s commitment to promoting technological progress and social development.
Hashtag: #Voicecomm
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
Advances multi-typology brand expansion into more than 10 new cities in Asia Pacific and Europe, including lyf in Wellington and Ascott in Taipei
SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 9 February 2026 – The Ascott Limited (Ascott), the wholly owned lodging business unit of CapitaLand Investment (CLI), signed a record 19,000 units across 102 properties in 2025, marking 27% year-on-year growth in new signings. Its asset-light expansion was led by higher-fee segments such as resorts, supported by accelerating franchise momentum and strong conversion activity. Ascott entered more than 10 new cities across Asia Pacific and Europe, growing its global footprint to over 230 cities in more than 40 countries. The company now operates and has under development more than 1,000 properties[1] with over 176,000 units globally.
Ascott marked its entry into Taipei with the signing of the 185-room Ascott Nangang Taipei, located in a prime mixed-use development within Nangang Software Park, one of the city’s premier business districts. The partnership agreement was signed by Ms Jocelyn Wang, Chairman, The GAIA Hotel and Mr Kevin Goh, Chief Executive Officer, The Ascott Limited and Lodging, CapitaLand Investment.
Mr Kevin Goh, Chief Executive Officer, Ascott, said: “2025 marked a key milestone for Ascott as we accelerated asset-light signings and strengthened revenue visibility. With these new signings, we now have the embedded income to exceed our S$500 million fee target as pipeline projects turn operational. Our flex-hybrid model and multi-typology brand strategy enable us to optimise performance for property owners across market cycles, while disciplined investments in loyalty, technology and business development position us to capture growth in higher-fee segments including resorts, branded residences, MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conventions, Exhibitions) and wellness. I thank our global teams and partners for their continued support as we advance our ambition to be the preferred hospitality company.”
Ms Serena Lim, Chief Growth Officer, Ascott, said: “As travel evolves into a lifestyle, consumers are seeking greater flexibility and choice in how they live, work and explore. Guided by insights from our owners and guests, we have pursued a deliberate growth strategy anchored in our flex-hybrid model and a differentiated suite of flexible living offerings. We are heartened by the robust growth in 2025, driven by strong owner commitment as reflected in portfolio deals across multiple brands. Approximately 30% of new signings came from existing partners expanding with us, underscoring trust in Ascott’s platform and our ability to meet diverse traveller and resident needs worldwide.”
Strategic City Expansion In 2025, Ascott entered more than 10 new cities in Asia Pacific and Europe, including notable first properties in Wellington and Taipei, resort destinations such as Phuket, Phu Quoc and Langkawi, as well as emerging Tier-2 cities like Lucknow and Thanjavur in India.
Key milestones included the company’s expansion into New Zealand beyond its Quest franchise, with lyf making its debut in Wellington. Construction is expected to commence by the end of 2026, with the 108-room property set to transform six floors of a commercial building in the CBD, incorporating lyf’s signature social spaces and interconnected rooms for group travellers. With its strategic location in the heart of the capital’s business hub, the property embodies lyf’s experience-led social living philosophy, providing an accessible base for travellers, professionals and long-stay guests to connect with Wellington’s vibrant urban energy.
Ascott also entered Taipei, launching its flagship brand with the 185-room Ascott Nangang Taipei in Nangang Software Park, one of the city’s premier business districts. Scheduled to open in 1Q 2027, the serviced residence is part of a prime mixed-use development that also houses Taiwan Fertilizer Co., Ltd.’s headquarters and multinational companies including HP, Yahoo, Philips and Intel. It is further supported by a vibrant MICE and tourism ecosystem, with direct footbridge access to the Nangang Exhibition Centre, Taipei Nangang Exhibition Centre metro station and LaLaport shopping mall. The Nangang High Speed Rail station is also within walking distance. Designed for both short and extended stays, the property builds on Ascott’s expertise in transit oriented, mixed-use developments and supports its continued growth in the market.
Resort Portfolio Expansion Capitalising on strong leisure travel demand, Ascott’s multi-typology brand strategy drove 15 resort signings in prime locations such as Phuket, Phu Quoc, Nha Trang and Bali, expanding its portfolio in resort destinations to over 50 properties. Notable additions include the 693-unit HARRIS Resort Cam Ranh, marking the brand’s first entry into Vietnam, alongside a 250-unit lyf and a 120-unit Somerset at Lagoon City Seville, Spain, a mixed-use development anchored by an 18,000-square-metre man-made lagoon.
In 2025, Ascott expanded its branded residences portfolio by partnering with quality developers on two new properties, adding over 1,000 units. These include the 227-unit Residences at Ascott Abov Patong Phuket (pictured), adjacent to Ascott Abov Patong Phuket Resort and just 150 metres from the iconic Patong Beach.
The company also expanded its branded residences portfolio by partnering with quality developers on two new properties, adding over 1,000 units: Residences at Ascott Abov Patong Phuket, next to Ascott Abov Patong Phuket Resort, and Oakwood Premier Branded Residences Luohu Shenzhen, co-located with Oakwood Premier Luohu Shenzhen. Leveraging its hospitality expertise and brand recognition, Ascott is well-placed to deliver lifestyle-oriented residences that meet growing demand in Asia Pacific while generating fee growth. Co-locating branded residences with its hotels enhances operational and marketing synergies, diversifies revenue streams and strengthens Ascott’s value proposition to owners and investors.
Ascott’s second branded residence project in 2025, Oakwood Premier Branded Residences Luohu Shenzhen, will feature 792 residential units in the vibrant Luohu district, sharing the same building as the 450-unit Oakwood Premier Luohu Shenzhen.
Franchise Growth Momentum More than a quarter of the units signed in 2025 were under franchise agreements, supporting Ascott’s asset-light expansion. Franchise momentum in East Asia accelerated as the company strengthened its regional pipeline. Five Quest properties were secured in China through Ascott’s joint venture with Jin Jiang, alongside four franchise agreements to expand Citadines’ presence in the country. The largest franchise signing of the year was the 510-key Oakwood in Gangneung, South Korea, a resort-led development in Gangneung’s Cultural Olympic Special Zone with strong connectivity to Seoul, demonstrating Oakwood’s scalability in leisure and extended-stay markets.
In other regions, Ascott’s Quest franchise contributed five new signings in Australia, while franchise agreements for the Oakwood, Somerset and The Unlimited Collection brands in Europe and Africa further strengthened the company’s global footprint.
Conversions-led Growth Over 38% of units signed in 2025 were conversions, reflecting owners’ preference for faster, lower-risk routes to market and Ascott’s ability to execute conversions efficiently across its diversified brand portfolio. Recent conversions, including Citadines Antasari Jakarta, Oakwood Bencoolen Singapore and lyf Zhangjiang Shanghai, were completed within months of signing, demonstrating Ascott’s capability to reposition assets swiftly and accelerate revenue generation for owners.
Brand Performance and Expansion Ascott’s brands achieved milestones in scale and geographic reach in 2025. Citadines surpassed 200 properties globally with 17 new signings, boosted by its conversion-friendly positioning, while Oakwood secured 16 signings, maintaining strong owner appeal across business, leisure and extended-stay segments. Ascott’s collection brands continued their geographic expansion, with The Unlimited Collection expanding in Africa and Europe, while The Crest Collection entered the Middle East. Following the signing of The Unlimited Collection in Casablanca, Morocco, Ascott’s portfolio in the country now comprises 10 operational and pipeline properties across Casablanca, Tangier and Marrakech. This underscores Ascott’s strong momentum in Morocco, one of Africa’s most dynamic hospitality markets.
The flagship Ascott brand recorded 10 new signings, expanding its global portfolio to 87 properties including operational and pipeline assets. Notable additions include Ascott Coronation Square Johor Bahru, which secures a flagship position at the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone with direct connection to the upcoming Rapid Transit System Link, and Ascott Shenton Way Singapore, the brand’s third property in the city-state. Opening as a dual-format hotel and serviced residence, Ascott Shenton Way Singapore will integrate wellness-driven experiences with sustainable operations, showcasing the brand’s evolution in a prime CBD location.
[1] Includes Managed, Franchised, Leased, Owned and Other properties (including those under funds and JVs).
Bora to discuss a recent collaboration with Therapi AI, highlighting its focus on strengthening operational execution across the biopharma development cycle and supply chain through AI-enabled technologies
HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 9 February 2026 – Bora Pharmaceuticals (Taiwan Stock Exchange: 6472.TW; OTCQX: BORAY), a pharmaceutical services company operating under a differentiated “Dual-Engine” strategy that integrates a global contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO) with an innovative specialty pharmaceuticals business, announces its sponsorship of UC Berkeley ahead of the “Berkeley Dialogue” in Taipei. The event extends the platform that UC Berkeley has built for connecting executives from promising Asian biotech and medtech companies with global venture capital and academic leaders.
The “Berkeley Dialogue: Biotechnology & Drug Development”, held in parallel with a healthcare conference taking place at Regent Taipei, is designed to address an increasingly central challenge to founders and investors alike: how innovation and capital originating in Asia can be translated into globally executable and commercially scalable programs. The Berkeley Dialogue 2026 is a flagship forum series hosted by the Berkeley Club of Taiwan and supported by Bora Group to bring together academic leadership and industry insights around early discovery, development and scale up. Convened by Bobby Sheng, chairman & CEO of Bora Pharmaceuticals and former president of the Berkeley Club of Taiwan, alongside 8 distinguished UC Berkeley deans, 2 Nobel Laureates Fred Ramsdell and Omar Yaghi, and Chancellor Richard K. Lyons, the Dialogue will address global collaboration, innovation ecosystems, and AI-empowered drug development in the global biomedical landscape.
As an integrated CDMO with operations spanning Asia and North America, Bora supports programs originating in Asia as they advance toward U.S. and global clinical development and commercial manufacturing. The Company positions itself as a de-risking bridge across regions, applying consistent execution discipline and quality standards as programs scale.
“Asia has no shortage of strong science,” said Bobby Sheng. “The differentiator today is whether programs are built early with global execution in mind. Our role is to help emerging companies reduce downstream risk by aligning development, quality, and manufacturing decisions from the outset.” By bringing founders, scientists, and investors into the same conversation early, the Company aims to help address execution risk before it becomes a constraint on valuation, timelines, or scalability.
At “Berkeley Dialogue”, Bora will provide an overview of a recent partnership with Therapi AI, reflecting its focus on strengthening operational execution through technology. Bobby will share Bora’s perspective on the practical application of AI in biotech manufacturing and development, emphasizing the importance of building internal, knowledge-driven systems that enhance decision-making rather than chasing experimental use cases.
“AI will matter most where it improves reliability and execution,” Bobby added. “For us, that means applying it deliberately within our operations to capture institutional knowledge, improve efficiency, and support more predictable outcomes for our partners.”
Bora’s participation reflects a clear view of the next phase of Asian biotech growth where success will be defined less by novelty and more by execution credibility. By engaging early at the intersection of science, capital, and manufacturing, Bora aims to support companies and investors seeking to build globally scalable assets with fewer surprises as programs mature.
Hashtag: #BoraPharmaceuticals
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
Register Now for a Chance to Win YF Life Presents: LEON LAI ROBBABA CONCERT 2026 Live Tickets
HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 9 February 2026 -YF Life Insurance International Ltd. (YF Life) is excited to announce the launch of the “YFLink Concert Tickets Lucky Draw”, offering music fans the chance to win tickets to one of the city’s most anticipated concert, inviting music lovers to take a break from their daily routines and immerse themselves in an unforgettable musical experience.
YF Life launches YFLink Concert Tickets Lucky Draw. Register now for a chance to win YF Life Presents: LEON LAI ROBBABA CONCERT 2026 Live tickets
From February 9 to February 27, 2026, Eligible customers can enter the lucky draw by simply logging into the “YFLink” Mobile App and completing a quick registration. Participants stand a chance to win tickets to the “YF Life Presents: LEON LAI ROBBABA CONCERT 2026 Live” to experience the electric atmosphere in person. Each existing customer can enjoy up to five chances to win during the camp. Each eligible customer is eligible for 5 changes at most in the lucky draw.
Prizes:
Grand prize: Two “YF Life Presents: LEON LAI ROBBABA CONCERT 2026 Live” in Hong Kong concert tickets (each ticket is worth HK$1380)
2nd prize: Two “YF Life Presents: LEON LAI ROBBABA CONCERT 2026 Live” in Hong Kong concert tickets (each ticket is worth HK$680)
Existing YF Life customers1 aged 18 or above who successfully completes the “Lucky Draw” registration via the “YFLink” platform within the Campaign Period are eligible to enter into the Lucky Draw. Each eligible participant will earn at least one chance of winning a prize in the Lucky Draw based on the number of in-force YF Life’s individual insurance policy (basic plan) (“Eligible Policy(ies)”) and member accounts of Mandatory Provident Fund (MPF) Scheme/ Macau Pension Scheme/ Macau Non-Mandatory Central Provident Fund Scheme (CPS) provided by YF Life they have (“Eligible Member Account(s)”), and fulfilling the relevant requirements. Each Eligible Policy or Eligible Member Account will be counted as 1 entry into the Lucky Draw of this Campaign. Accordingly, holding 2 Eligible Policies or Eligible Member Accounts will be counted as 2 entries, and so on. Each Eligible Participant is eligible for 5 chances at most in the Lucky Draw during the Campaign Period.
The lucky draw will be officially conducted on March 4, 2026. Winners will be drawn by computer system randomly. The results of the lucky draw will be published on the campaign website2,3, The Standard, and Sing Tao Daily (only applicable to Hong Kong) on March 9, 2026. Winners will be personally notified regarding the prize redemption arrangements via “YFLink” and SMS.
For more details about the lucky draw, please visit the campaign website (Hong Kong)/ campaign website (Macau).
Trade Promotion Competition Licence No.: 61079 (Only applicable to Hong Kong)
Terms and conditions apply.
Remark:
Existing YF Life customers refer to existing policyholder holding at least one YF Life’s in-force individual insurance policy as of February 27, 2026 17:30; or existing member of the Mandatory Provident Fund (MPF)Scheme/ Macau Pension Scheme/ Macau Non-Mandatory Central Provident Fund Scheme (CPS) provided by YF Life as of February 27, 2026 (with an account balance greater than zero on February 27, 2026).
The new International Convention Centre. (File photo)New Zealand International Convention Centre
Construction of the Convention Centre began back in 2015 and was initially supposed to take 38 months, but had been plagued by a budget blow-out and legal wrangling.
“We’ve been waiting for such a long time. [Convention centres] are hard to make money out of.
“I understand it’s booked up pretty well, so it will bring in conventions and it will be part of the tourist offering. But that whole tourist thing is a bit of a question for us.”
The New Zealand leg of SailGP also returned to the waters of Waitematā Harbour this weekend.
Brown told Morning Report both events were a positive for the supercity.
“Those are two good things on this week, that’s for sure,” he said.
“It’s a big year really when you think about it.
“The Polo finals and the Blues and Chiefs are playing shortly. There’s a lot of sport,” he said.
Another long overdue milestone, the City Rail Link was also due to be completed later this year.
The Ocean Race, formerly known as the Round the World Race, was scheduled to return to the City of Sails in 2027.
Brown wasted no time pointing to the small matter of the Election, another major event pertinent to Auckland residents, he said.
“If you don’t win Auckland, you don’t get to be the government.”
“The government can’t bring itself to do that yet, so that they’re raiding tourists at the border. And then central government will tell us how we spend on things, which is something we don’t like.
“All these big events want some money up front. And if we have the bed night levy we will have the money up front.”
Tourism and Hospitality Minister Louise Upston, said a bed tax was not something she was pursuing this term.
“Our government has already announced a number of initiatives to boost tourism and events across New Zealand and in Auckland, including our $70 million major events and tourism package and a regional tourism boost announcement which invests in campaigns to market New Zealand (and Auckland) to overseas visitors.”
Upston said the government was firmly focused on growing the economy, including the Auckland economy, and tourism and major events remained integral to that.
“I recognise there’s been an interest in bed tax and am also aware of Wayne Brown’s recent comments.”
In response to Auckland’s lagging economy and high unemployment rate, the mayor said “it had its own ideas”.
Council-led initiatives such as the Auckland Innovation & Technology Alliance showed the council was better suited than the government in driving investment into the city, Brown said.
“Economic development; we’ve decided that council will lead this, because the government doesn’t quite know how to do that.”
When asked if he felt the government had dropped the ball, he replied “they hadn’t didn’t pick it up”.
“They’re not quite sure where it is/ There’s a lot we can do ourselves as well. Instead of them initiating things, we just want them to help with what we’re going to initiate.
“There’s too much centralised decision making in this country.”
Minister for Auckland, Simeon Brown said the government was focused on rebuilding the economy and Auckland was central to that.
“That’s why we’re fast-tracking major infrastructure like the $200 million Port of Auckland extension and incentivising business investment through Investment Boost and our Going for Growth agenda.
“The opening of the International Convention Centre and the City Rail Link later this year will further lift jobs and economic activity.”
Simeon Brown said business confidence in Auckland was at its highest in over a decade.
“GDP is up 12.1 per cent on 2019, labour force participation is 72.8 per cent, and CBD office vacancies have fallen for the first time since 2022 – a clear sign businesses are backing the city again.
The Mayor and Auckland Council would be wise to focus on keeping costs down for Aucklanders.”
Supporting a rates cap last week would have been a good first step, Simeon Brown added.
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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand
SYDNEY, Feb. 04, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Brazilian Rare Earths Limited (ASX: BRE / OTCQX: BRELY) (‘BRE’) is pleased to report exceptional results from sensor-based ore sorting test work program that confirms its suitability for Monte Alto’s beneficiation process flowsheet.
Key Highlights
Exceptional grade enrichment (+100%): Achieved grade upgrade factors of >2x, increasing feed grades from 12.4% TREO to ~27% TREO, using multi-sensor ore sorting
High-grade product in single-pass: Produced a +27% TREO ultra-high grade product with single-pass processing
World-class recoveries (95%): Cascade ore sorting produced a +20% TREO rare earth product, with exceptional cumulative recoveries of ~96–99% and upgrade factors of 1.3x-1.7x
Efficient waste rejection: Successfully rejected ~25% of feed mass as waste with negligible rare earth loss (
Simple, dry beneficiation: Results validate ore sorting for Monte Alto mineralisation – delivering a high-grade product at yields of +95%, highlighting the potential for downstream direct rare earth extraction
Lower costs: Lower capex and operating costs, with enhanced economics
BRE Managing Director and CEO, Bernardo da Veiga, commented:
“These exceptional ore sorting results from run-of-mine Monte Alto feedstock have exceeded all our expectations. They demonstrate that sensor-based concentration can significantly enhance project economics with +95% yields at lower capital and operating costs, whilst simultaneously reducing environmental footprint through lower energy, minimal water and no reagents.
Our metallurgical programs are designed to maximise the value of Monte Alto’s ultra-high grade rare earth, uranium, scandium, niobium, and tantalum mineralisation. These ore sorting results build on our previous metallurgical programs with the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO) and provide a pathway for world-leading mineral-to-product yields.
Last year’s metallurgical program with ANSTO successfully demonstrated direct hydrometallurgical processing of high-grade Monte Alto mineralisation, including impurity removal, uranium recovery and the production of high-purity mixed rare earth carbonate.
Importantly, the multi-sensor ore sorter enriched run-of-mine Monte Alto feedstock by over two times in a single pass, producing a concentrate of +27% TREO. Subsequent cumulative ore sorter runs produced a+20% TREO concentrate at very high total recoveries of 96-99%.
Rare earth projects are typically characterised by low head grades and complex, high-cost processing flowsheets. Monte Alto’s ultra-high grades can deliver a beneficiated product at grades that are suitable for direct hydrometallurgical processing. BRE will now progress flowsheet design, targeting a multi-sensor system capable of processing 100% of Monte Alto’s run-of-mine material at +95% yields.”