Drivers who renew their car insurance with PolicyStreet this February stand a chance to win RM8,888 in cash, while enjoying additional festive savings through the 10+10 Promotion and Free Road Tax offers.

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia, Feb. 9, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — As Malaysians saddle up to return to their hometowns for festive reunions, PolicyStreet is encouraging drivers to stay a step ahead when it comes to protection by renewing their car insurance on time, or even early, with the launch of its Renew & Huat RM8,888 Lucky Draw.

Running from 6 to 28 February, the campaign rewards timely and early car insurance renewals during the festive period with automatic lucky draw entries. Each successful renewal on PolicyStreet’s platform earns drivers a chance to win a cash prize of RM8,888, making early renewal an even sweeter deal this Chinese New Year.

“Protection is the best kind of prosperity. As more cars take to the roads this festive season, renewing insurance early is a simple way for drivers to financially look after themselves and their loved ones. Through Renew & Huat, we’re encouraging drivers not to horse around with coverage, while giving them a chance to enjoy a little extra luck as they charge into the new year,” said Yen Ming Lee, Group Chief Executive Officer of PolicyStreet.

Beyond the Renew & Huat Lucky Draw, drivers renewing their car insurance between 1 and 24 February can enjoy additional festive savings through PolicyStreet‘s 10+10 Promotion. Available daily from 10am to 11am and 10pm to 11pm, the promotion offers an uncapped 10% discount on premiums after No-Claim Discount (NCD), along with an additional RM10 off the final bill, making it particularly attractive for drivers with higher premium amounts.

From 25 to 28 February, customers renewing their car insurance can also benefit from Free Road Tax, capped at RM90 per vehicle. The offer provides added value for drivers with lower premium amounts, helping to offset renewal costs while ensuring they remain protected on the road during the festive travel period.

For policies with premiums of RM1,000 and above, renewing during the 10+10 Promotion can unlock savings of at least RM110. Meanwhile, customers with lower premium amounts may find more value in the Free Road Tax offer, capped at RM90 per vehicle, available during the campaign period. Both campaigns are stackable with the Renew & Huat RM8,888 Lucky Draw.

With Chinese New Year often bringing higher household expenses, from festive shopping to ang pow preparations, PolicyStreet offers various Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL) options such as Atome, SPayLater, or Grab PayLater. Credit card users can also opt for instalment plans to stay protected on the road without the added financial stress during the holiday season.

With the Year of the Horse symbolising speed, endurance, and safe passage, PolicyStreet’s Renew & Huat campaign blends festive cheer with the unbridled joy of maximised savings and prosperity, reminding drivers that the smartest journeys begin with the right protection in place.

For more information on the Renew & Huat RM8,888 Lucky Draw or to renew car insurance, visit https://policystreet.com.my/tnc

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About PolicyStreet

PolicyStreet is a regional full-stack insurance technology (insurtech) group of companies providing cutting-edge digital insurance solutions to businesses and consumers in Southeast Asia and Australia.

PolicyStreet works directly with over 40 life, general insurers and Takaful providers globally to offer a comprehensive range of products and services, which includes but is not limited to embedded insurance, customised employee benefits, financial advisory and aggregation of insurance, as well as the development of digital solutions to make insurance purposeful and simple for businesses and consumers.

As a licensed Reinsurer, General Insurer and Takaful Operator by the Labuan Financial Services Authority (LFSA), an approved Financial Adviser and Islamic Financial Adviser by Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM), and a licensee of the Australian Financial Services License by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC), PolicyStreet is able to underwrite, customise policies, and provide unbiased advice to its clients and partners worldwide.

PolicyStreet is backed by the Malaysian sovereign wealth fund, Khazanah Nasional Berhad, and serves over 10 million customers with over US$ 10 billion in sum insured. In 2024, PolicyStreet was recognised as “Fintech of the Year” at The Asset’s Triple A Digital Awards and was the winner of the Fintech Excellence Award for Financial Inclusion at the Singapore Fintech Festival, endorsed by the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS). The company was also ranked as the second-highest Malaysian company in the “High-Growth Companies in Asia Pacific 2024” list by Statista and The Financial Times.

New facility delivers 24/7 threat monitoring, rapid response and AI-driven cybersecurity for industrial operations across Asia Pacific.

SINGAPORE, Feb. 9, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Rockwell Automation, the world’s largest company dedicated to industrial automation and digital transformation, has launched a Security Operations Center (SOC) in Singapore, enhancing cybersecurity resilience for industrial customers across Asia Pacific.

The new facility is part of Rockwell Automation’s global network of Managed Security Services and delivers 24/7 real-time monitoring, advanced threat detection and rapid incident response through its SecureOT™ Security Monitoring and Response capabilities. Designed to address the growing convergence of IT and OT environments, the SOC helps industrial companies detect, respond to and recover from cybersecurity incidents faster and more effectively.

Located within Rockwell’s Asia Pacific headquarters in Singapore, the SOC serves as a regional hub for Managed Detection and Response (MDR) services. It integrates vendor-neutral data ingestion, contextualized threat intelligence, and risk-based prioritization, enabling industrial teams to focus on the most critical vulnerabilities across complex, multi-vendor environments while ensuring rapid response and step-by-step remediation guided by Rockwell’s cybersecurity experts.

“Cybersecurity is now inseparable from digital transformation,” said Marcelo Tarkieltaub, regional director, Southeast Asia, Rockwell Automation. “Our new regional SOC hub in Singapore reflects our commitment to helping manufacturers connect, automate and protect their operations end-to-end. Having multiple capabilities under one roof allows for deeper collaboration and faster response, delivering stronger protection for our customers’ critical operations. It enables them to test and engage with our capabilities firsthand, an important step for organizations evaluating the right partners for their cybersecurity journey.”

 “The opening of our regional SOC reinforces Singapore’s role as a cybersecurity hub for the region. We look forward to deepening our collaboration with local agencies, academia and partners to strengthen industrial resilience and upskill new cybersecurity talent. In fact, we’ve recently onboarded several young professionals with cybersecurity majors, building their expertise to support global clients in the industrial security space.”

Companies in the region face growing threats such as data theft, extortion, and ransomware, in part due to Asia Pacific’s critical role in global supply chains and its position as a technology and manufacturing hub. Rockwell Automation’s 10^th Annual 2025 State of Smart Manufacturing Report found that cybersecurity has risen to the second most critical external risk for manufacturers in Asia Pacific, with nearly half of respondents planning to deploy AI and machine learning for cybersecurity use cases within the next year.

Rockwell Automation’s SOC leverages Security Orchestration, Automation and Response (SOAR), a technology platform that combines automation, AI and analytics to streamline and accelerate responses to cyber threats. This enables Rockwell’s Managed Detection and Response services to offer customers a single pane of glass view of cyber incidents and actions across multiple sites, as some global manufacturers need to monitor more than 100 locations.

Aligned with Singapore’s national ambition to build a secure digital economy, the facility complements Rockwell’s collaboration with the Cyber Security Agency of Singapore (CSA) and industry partners to advance industrial cybersecurity maturity across the region. It will also host training workshops and customer simulations, giving participants hands-on exposure to real-world OT threat scenarios.

The new SOC builds on Rockwell’s SecureOT™ Solution Suite, which encompasses Strategic Advisory, Managed Industrial Networking and Infrastructure, Asset Management, Risk and Vulnerability Management, and Incident Response services.

About Rockwell Automation

Rockwell Automation, Inc. (NYSE: ROK), is a global leader in industrial automation and digital transformation. We connect the imaginations of people with the potential of technology to expand what is humanly possible, making the world more productive and more sustainable. Headquartered in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Rockwell Automation employs approximately 26,000 problem solvers dedicated to our customers in more than 100 countries as of fiscal year end 2025. To learn more about how we are bringing the Connected Enterprise to life across industrial enterprises, visit www.rockwellautomation.com.

SHENZHEN, China, Feb. 9, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Leading retail coffee chain Luckin Coffee (“Luckin” or “the brand”, OTC:LKNCY) announced the official inauguration of its 30,000th store, the first Origin Flagship, in Shenzhen. Tied to the core theme of Global Origins, this landmark opening signifies a strategic evolution for the brand: while solidifying its industry-leading scale, Luckin is elevating its focus on professionalism and quality, global supply chain integration and sustainable development to an all-new level.

The 30,000-store milestone underscores Luckin’s extensive network, which now spans over 300 cities across China, with a growing international presence in overseas markets including Singapore, Malaysia and the United States. In recent years, Luckin has driven the mass popularization of coffee consumption in China and elevated national awareness of homegrown coffee brands, while emerging as a dynamic force in reshaping the global coffee supply chain and invigorating global coffee culture.

The opening ceremony held yesterday was graced by distinguished diplomatic representatives from Luckin’s global origin partners, including H.E. Mr. Djauhari Oratmangun, Ambassador of Indonesia to China; Victor Queiroz‌, General Manager of ApexBrasil in Asia and Pacific Region; and Annie Maya, Consul General of Colombia in Guangzhou, China. Also in attendance were Luckin Coffee’s core executive leadership team including Chairman Li Hui, and Co-Founder & CEO Guo Jinyi.

In his address, Chairman Li Hui remarked: “We are committed to bringing the authentic taste of premium coffee from Indonesia, Brazil, Colombia, and other renowned origins across the globe straight to every one of our customers. This is more than just savoring a cup of coffee—it is the start of a genuine journey through global coffee flavors, which represents a pivotal elevation of Luckin’s corporate vision and mission.”

Luckin has been steadily expanding its Global Origins layout and building a global supply chain based on shared values. In recent years, the brand has launched the “From Origin to You” product campaign, forging deep roots in core coffee-producing regions including Brazil, Ethiopia and Yunnan, China. It has also developed a portfolio of exclusive raw material bases, such as the “Exclusive Coconut Island” in Indonesia, a dedicated jasmine cultivation base in Hengzhou City, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China, and large-scale navel orange orchards in Zigui County, Hubei Province, China. This strategic layout seamlessly links global premium flavors with China’s vast consumer market, creating a virtuous cycle where market demand drives the value enhancement of the entire supply chain.

As Luckin Coffee’s first-ever Origin Flagship, this spacious 420-square-meter two-story venue offers an immersive experience of the brand’s global supply chain value narrative and quality commitment, illustrated by the store design and exclusive premium menu. The Luckin Origin Lab features an exclusive menu of crafted specialty coffee and pour-over options, while debuting its exclusive premium single-origin bean menu, highlighted by classic SOE Americanos and lattes crafted from premium beans from Yunnan, Ethiopia and Mandheling. This store also marks Luckin’s first adoption of high-end semi-automatic coffee machines, alongside the deployment of a team of highly skilled baristas, who perfectly capture and recreate the unique flavor profiles of premium beans sourced from across the globe. In addition, the store is home to Luckin’s inaugural Master Space, designated for professional coffee salons and themed events to deepen the brand’s interaction with customers. Since its soft opening in late January, the store has quickly become a hotspot for local coffee enthusiasts, who are drawn by its exclusive and innovative signature crafted products. Luckin also served up exclusive opening-day champion beans from the 2025 “Yunnan Cup of Excellence (CoE)” Pilot Competition — a testament to its long-term support for the Yunnan coffee industry and continuous pursuit of quality.  

Upholding its commitment to sustainable development, the flagship store was constructed in strict compliance with LEED Platinum standards and meets the “Zero Carbon Space” evaluation criteria of the China Association of Building Energy Efficiency. Following the LEED Platinum certification of Luckin’s 20,000th store in Beijing’s Zhongguancun, this new flagship store sets another benchmark for green retail in the coffee industry.

Luckin’s commitment to global value co-creation is also exemplified by its strategic global footprint. Its retail network spans all across China — from Mohe in the far north to Sanya in the south, and Fuyuan in the east to Kashgar in the west — covering 94% of the country’s provincial-level administrative regions. Bolstered by its robust brand equity, ongoing product innovation and an efficient digital operating model, Luckin is making steady strides onto the global stage, boasting 118 overseas stores as of the third quarter of 2025.

Locating its 30,000th store in Shenzhen, a city of openness and entrepreneurship, echoes Luckin’s vision to build a world-class coffee brand backed by a robust global supply chain and uncompromising quality. At this major milestone, Luckin evolves from a scale leader to a global value co-creator, bringing global premium flavors to customers while fostering deeper exchange between Chinese and global coffee cultures.

A Regulator-Approved Crypto Payment Terminal and Digital Asset Payment Gateway

SYDNEY, Feb. 9, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — ByteFederal Australia, in strategic partnership with ByteFederal Inc. (USA), today announced the national launch of ByteConnect, a fully integrated, Bitcoin-enabled Payment Terminal and Online Payment Gateway leveraging blockchain technology to enable Australian merchants to accept cryptocurrency payments within a robust compliance and operational framework.

Source: Byte Federal Inc.

ByteConnect is being rolled out under ASIC’s Enhanced Regulatory Sandbox, allowing ByteFederal Australia to operate the platform in accordance with defined regulatory parameters. The solution has been developed with a strong focus on regulatory alignment, maintaining a seamless experience for merchants and customers.

“This marks a significant step forward for Australia’s digital asset ecosystem,” said Ace Gorgievski, Head of Operations at ByteFederal Australia. “ByteConnect gives merchants access to next-generation payment infrastructure that enables broader payment optionality, improved operational efficiency, and the ability to support the use of digital assets in alignment with applicable regulatory requirements.

ByteConnect supports Bitcoin payments through Bitcoin on-chain and the Lightning Network, delivering improved settlement efficiency and scalability. It’s built for real world commerce across all payment values, combining speed, reliability, and efficient transaction costs for merchants and customers alike.

While designed primarily for retail and hospitality environments, ByteConnect’s underlying infrastructure also operates as a proprietary crypto payment gateway, supporting digital asset payment use cases across sectors such as property, automotive, luxury goods, and professional services, subject to appropriate customer due diligence and risk controls.

The platform includes transaction monitoring, performance analytics, and a structured merchant onboarding framework, providing businesses with operational visibility, reporting capability, and compliance support.

Key features of ByteConnect include:

• Operation under ASIC’s Enhanced Regulatory Sandbox
• Digital asset payment acceptance supported by AML/CTF controls
• Integrated merchant dashboard with real-time reporting and analytics
• Proprietary payment gateway supporting in-store and high-value digital asset transactions

The launch of ByteConnect reinforces ByteFederal Australia’s position as a provider of regulated digital asset infrastructure, supporting responsible innovation and the practical adoption of crypto payments within Australia’s evolving regulatory environment.

Photo – https://laotiantimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/pay_now_with_btc__byteconnect__1.jpg
Logo – https://laotiantimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/byte_federal_logo_logo.jpg

Solutions like Agoda’s Mega Sale empowers hotels to tap into rising regional demand, with flexible participation and enhanced visibility with guests during festive periods.

SINGAPORE, Feb. 9, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Digital travel platform Agoda reveals new insights for the Lunar New Year travel period, highlighting increased intra-Asia travel during the festive period. Agoda search data indicates that 70% of interest in travel to Japan and over 25% of interest in travel to Thailand come from within the region. These trends offer accommodation partners actionable opportunities to capture increased demand from travelers seeking regional reunions and celebrations.

The top destinations in Asia for the upcoming Lunar New Year based on Agoda’s accommodation searches during this period are Tokyo, Bangkok, Taipei, Osaka and Seoul. These destinations are attracting the most interest from travelers during the festive period. To help hoteliers and partners capture this seasonal demand, Agoda is offering a wide range of solutions, including the Agoda Mega Sale campaign, a series of four targeted sale events throughout the year to reach travelers at the height of booking interests. Partners can participate in Agoda’s first Mega Sale of 2026 from 10–28 February, to align their offers with seasonal travel trends and connect with guests as they plan their festive journeys.

The Agoda Mega Sale features a three-phase campaign structure to help partners make the most of the season. Travelers can enjoy up to 60% off on hotel bookings during the main sale, with special flash sales offering up to 70% off on 17 February. The campaign includes VIP Priority Access for Agoda VIP members from 10 to 13 February, providing early access to deals. Additionally, participation options for quarterly Mega Sales ensure that partners can flexibly maximize exposure throughout the year.

“Cultural travel moments such as Lunar New Year drive travel demand in Asia, with regional travelers making up the majority of arrivals in key markets like Japan and Thailand,” said Andrew Smith, Senior Vice President, Supply at Agoda. “What sets successful partners apart is their ability to act on real-time demand signals and adjust rates, packages, and visibility to meet the expectations of today’s mobile-first guests. Agoda helps connect partners to travelers with relevant campaigns like Mega Sale, ensuring they can engage guests when demand is strongest and make the most of key travel periods. This year, we’re excited to help our partners reach even more guests, optimize performance during these peak periods and deliver memorable experiences when it matters most.”

Enhanced visibility through homepage banners, campaign landing pages, pop-up banners and exclusive badges are some of the many benefits partners can capitalize on throughout key moments of Agoda’s Mega Sale campaign. This is an open invitation for travel partners across the ecosystem to collaborate early, plan smarter and co-create compelling seasonal offers for travelers worldwide during Lunar New Year and beyond. For more information on how to participate, visit https://partnerhub.agoda.com/agodas-mega-sale/.

— ENDS —

• The FPT Corporation, the Viet Thai Group, and G42 sign Framework Agreement to advance Vietnam’s digital transformation
• Partnership backed by $1 billion commitment to deploy AI and cloud infrastructure with full data sovereignty

HO CHI MINH CITY, Vietnam, Feb. 9, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — G42, the Abu Dhabi-based technology holding group, and a consortium comprising the FPT Corporation and the Viet Thai Group, have signed a Framework Cooperation Agreement to develop sovereign AI capabilities and cloud infrastructure across Vietnam. The initiative aims to support Vietnam’s ambition to become an AI-native society and a leading AI hub in Southeast Asia, while ensuring national data sovereignty and digital resilience.

Names (Left to Right) 1. David Thai, Founder and CEO, Viet Thai Group 2. His Excellency Badr Al Matrooshi, Ambassador of the UAE to Vietnam 3. Ali Al Amine, Chief Commercial Officer, G42 International 4. Dr. Truong Gia Binh, Chairman, FPT Corporation 5. Nguyen Van Duoc, Chairman, Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee 6. His Excellency Mansoor Al Mansoori, CEO, G42 International 7. Nguyen Manh Cuong, Vice Chairman, Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee 8. Tu Vu Anh, CTO, FPT Corporation

The agreement, signed in Ho Chi Minh City, formalizes a comprehensive partnership and establishes the legal, financial, and regulatory framework required to advance deployment across the country. The partners commend the Government of Vietnam for its forward-thinking approach in advancing regulatory frameworks that enable hyperscale data center deployment and public cloud adoption, positioning Vietnam as a regional leader in AI infrastructure development. Backed by consumption commitments of up to $1 billion, the partnership represents a significant milestone in Vietnam’s and the region’s digital transformation journey.

The consortium and G42 bring together complementary strengths essential for national-scale deployment. The FPT Corporation, Vietnam’s largest information technology services company with operations across 30+ countries, provides deep technical expertise and local market knowledge. The Viet Thai Group, a leading consumer-focused group with portfolio companies spanning coffee, foodservice, retail, and logistics, contributes strategic capabilities and cross-sector insights. G42, the Abu Dhabi-based artificial intelligence holding group, brings advanced AI infrastructure capabilities.

Under the agreement, the consortium and G42 will deploy significant cloud capacity across three data center locations in Vietnam, delivering high-performance AI and cloud services to support public and private sector workloads.

The initiative aligns with G42’s broader mission to build a global and inclusive Intelligence Grid, interconnecting advanced AI infrastructure, cloud platforms, and governance frameworks to enable AI capabilities on demand, while respecting national sovereignty. Through this infrastructure, Vietnam will gain the technical foundation to develop national AI initiatives across both public and private sectors, digitizing services and deploying AI-powered solutions tailored to national priorities.

“This Framework Agreement represents a new model for national AI transformation – one built on sovereignty, partnership, and purpose,” said Ali Al Amine, Chief Commercial Officer, G42 International. “We are grateful to the Government of Vietnam for their visionary leadership and to our partners, the FPT Corporation and the Viet Thai Group for their commitment to building infrastructure that enables Vietnam to harness AI’s full potential while maintaining data sovereignty and digital independence.”

“Vietnam clearly understands that it cannot move forward alone. In areas such as semiconductors, AI, cloud computing, big data, and cybersecurity, we need strategic alliances with partners we can rely on and trust. The leaders have shown strong commitment, built mutual trust, and now it is time to turn those commitments into real implementation,” said Dr. Truong Gia Binh, Chairman, FPT Corporation.

“This initiative positions Vietnam at the forefront of AI-driven economic development in Asia, supporting economic development and the growth of the middle class in Vietnam. Our partnership with G42 and FPT creates the infrastructure foundation for long-term growth and innovation across multiple sectors,” said David Thai, Chairman & CEO, Viet Thai Group.

Beyond infrastructure development, the partnership includes plans for national AI skilling and workforce development programs designed to support AI adoption across government, industry, and academia.

Following the signing of the Framework Agreement, the consortium and G42 will advance to the next phase of execution, including finalizing workload distribution between public and private sectors, securing regulatory approvals for public cloud adoption, and commencing site development for data center infrastructure. The initiative is expected to generate significant economic impact through direct infrastructure investment, job creation, and positioning Vietnam as a strategic technology hub for the region.

About G42

G42 is a technology holding group and a global leader in creating visionary artificial intelligence for a better tomorrow. Born in Abu Dhabi and operating worldwide, G42 champions AI as a powerful force for good across industries. From molecular biology to space exploration and everything in between, G42 realizes exponential possibilities today. To know more, visit www.g42.ai.

About the FPT Corporation

FPT is a global technology conglomerate headquartered in Vietnam, providing services across information technology, telecommunications, and digital transformation. By the end of 2025, FPT recorded consolidated revenue of VND 70,113 billion and profit before tax of VND 13,039 billion, representing year-on-year increases of 11.6% and 17.8%, respectively, closely aligning with the profit targets set at the beginning of the year. The Technology sector—including domestic IT services and global IT services—continued to play a pivotal role, contributing 63% of total revenue and 45% of profit before tax for the Group. FPT’s two AI Factories, located in Japan and Vietnam, ranked 36th and 38th respectively in the Top 500 High Performance Computing systems announced in June 2025. This milestone represents a strategic advancement, reinforcing Vietnam’s technological capabilities and FPT’s position on the global AI landscape.

About the Viet Thai Group

Founded in 1998, Viet Thai International JSC (VTI) is one of Vietnam’s largest consumer and retail operators. The company operates a diverse portfolio of brands in coffee, F&B and FMCG.  Our Highlands Coffee Brand is a national champion in Vietnam and global leader in the Vietnamese Specialty Coffee category, and recognized as one of the strongest consumer brands in Vietnam and regionally.  Our business comprises over 2,000+ retail outlets operating in 30 countries.

VTI has been instrumental in the development of the modern retail industry in Vietnam and is a leading advocate and ‘Flag Carrier’ in bringing the best of Vietnamese culture, beverages, and cuisine to the world.

G42