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Laos Holds 2026 National Elections, Electing New Assembly, Provincial Councils Members

By
Thongsavanh Souvannasane
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Laos held its 2026 national elections on 22 February to elect new National Assembly and provincial council members. (Photo credit: Lao National Radio)

Laos successfully held its 2026 national elections on 22 February, electing members of the 10th National Assembly (NA) and the 5th Provincial People’s Councils across the country. 

The elections saw more than 4.76 million eligible voters, out of approximately 7.9 million citizens aged 18 and above, cast their ballots nationwide. 

Citizens voted to elect 175 deputies to the 10th NA from among 243 candidates, and 745 deputies to the 5th Provincial People’s Councils from among 1,041 candidates, representing 17 provinces and the capital.

Polling stations were opened across urban and rural areas to ensure broad access for voters from all regions. Security and election officials were deployed throughout the country to support orderly and smooth operations. 

Senior government and party leaders also participated in the process. President Thongloun Sisoulith and Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone both cast their votes publicly in Vientiane,

The elections are held once every five years as part of Laos’ regular political cycle, conducted within the framework of one-party governance under the leadership of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party (LPRP). 

They are seen as a key mechanism for reinforcing governance stability and advancing the country’s long-term development agenda for the 2026-2030 period. 

The newly elected NA members and provincial council deputies will play an important role in legislative oversight, development planning, and policy implementation, supporting national priorities in economic growth, infrastructure, and social welfare.

Official voter turnout figures and the final list of elected representatives have not yet been announced. Authorities are expected to release preliminary results in the coming days.

The general elections followed the conclusion of the 12th National Congress of the LPRP, held in early January, which re-elected Thongloun Sisoulith as General Secretary for a second term.

Technology for Change Asia 2026 to decode innovation for business growth

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Advertorial Desk
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HONG KONG, Feb. 23, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Economist Impact will host Technology for Change Asia 2026 on March 11th and 12th at the Hopewell Hotel. This premier event convenes over 700 industry and government leaders to pinpoint solutions that will help businesses prosper in an era of rapid technological shift.

The_Economist_Group
The_Economist_Group

The 2026 programme moves beyond hype to address the practical realities of the AI age. Attendees will engage with senior leaders to discuss regulatory divergence across Asia, the scaling of autonomous agents, the Greater Bay Area innovation ecosystem and the impact of smart mobility on global supply chains.

Speaking ahead of the event, Tom Standage, deputy editor of The Economist, said: “Uncertainty abounds in today’s world, whether in geopolitics, trade or financial markets. Business leaders have little power to shape the environment in which their companies operate. But they do have agency, and the power to make a real difference, when it comes to the adoption of technology. The question is how best to embrace new innovations to deliver meaningful, measurable and sustainable impact. By convening this event, and hearing from organisations that are leading the way in technology adoption, we aim to highlight how technology can provide a positive and prosperous way forward.”

50 speakers confirmed including:

  • Tom Gruber, co-founder, Siri
  • James Elwes, chief information officer, international markets, Asia, HSBC
  • Spencer Lam, group chief technology officer, Shangri-La Group
  • Aseem Puri, digital chief executive officer, Unilever
  • Jeremy Goldstrich, vice-president, North-Pacific operations, FedEx
  • Aseem Puri, digital chief executive officer, Unilever
  • Sachin Verma, chief AI and data officer, Rakuten Mobile
  • Plus leaders from DBS, Volkswagen Group, FWD, OCBC, ST Engineering, Jardine Matheson, Swire Coca-Cola and more.

The event is sponsored by Tata Communications, GCash, Ant International and FWD and supported by The Hong Kong Tourism Board and Invest Hong Kong.

Register: https://econint.co/3R

About Economist Impact
Economist Impact empowers businesses, governments and foundations to catalyse change and enable progress. We combine the rigour of a think tank with the creativity of a media brand, engaging an influential audience in the areas of sustainability, healthcare and new globalisation. Visit www.economistimpact.com for more information.

Contact: 
Karen Ma
Economist Impact
asiaevents@economist.com

Blue Planet Expands to Dubai, Signalling Speed, Scale and Bold Growth

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Advertorial Desk
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DUBAI, UAE, Feb. 23, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Blue Planet Environmental Solutions, a Singapore-headquartered global leader in sustainable waste management and circular economy infrastructure, today announced the incorporation of Blue Planet Environmental Services L.L.C. in Dubai, marking a major milestone in the company’s international growth strategy and its expansion into the Middle East.

Scaling global sustainability partnerships
Scaling global sustainability partnerships

The announcement reflects Blue Planet’s accelerating momentum as it expands its presence into new geographies. This strategic move underscores the company’s focus on scaling its operations to support governments and industries in achieving their sustainability and decarbonisation goals.

Expanding Global Circular Economy Leadership

The new UAE entity strengthens Blue Planet’s ability to deliver integrated waste management, landfill reclamation, recycling, and circular economy solutions across the GCC region. With increasing regional focus on landfill diversion, resource recovery, and climate-aligned infrastructure, the Middle East represents a significant growth opportunity for scalable environmental solutions.

Dubai’s strategic location, progressive sustainability policies, and commitment to circular economy initiatives make it an ideal hub for Blue Planet’s regional operations.

Supporting the Middle East’s Sustainability Ambitions

Through its UAE presence, Blue Planet aims to collaborate with governments, municipalities, and industrial partners to deploy:

  • Organic waste and resource recovery, including biogas solutions.
  • Recycling, Upcycling, and circular-economy consultancy; infrastructure development and operations.
  • Landfill mining and environmental remediation
  • Disaster recovery, remediation and related environmental services.
  • Tank Cleaning & Related Industrial Services

The expansion reinforces the company’s commitment to supporting regional sustainability visions, including net-zero ambitions and landfill remediation and diversion targets.

Prashant Singh, Co-Founder and CEO of Blue Planet, said:

“The Year of the Fire Horse represents bold progress, energy, and transformative momentum values that strongly reflect our journey. Establishing our presence in the UAE is a significant milestone as we expand our global footprint and deepen our commitment to enabling circular economy solutions worldwide.”

“Dubai serves as a gateway to the Middle East, and we look forward to working closely with partners across the region to accelerate sustainable infrastructure and resource recovery.”

A Strategic Step in Blue Planet’s Global Growth Journey

With operations spanning Asia and expanding into new international markets, Blue Planet continues to scale its impact through technology, partnerships, and innovative circular economy solutions.

The launch of Blue Planet Environmental Services L.L.C. marks the beginning of a new chapter in the company’s mission to transform waste into value and build a more sustainable future.

About Blue Planet

Founded in 2017, Blue Planet is a Singapore-headquartered company pioneering sustainability across Asia through technology-driven, IP-based, end-to-end waste management and upcycling solutions. By integrating diverse technologies and business models, the company closes the waste loop and accelerates the transition to a circular economy. Guided by its vision of zero waste to landfill, Blue Planet continues to drive measurable environmental and social impact through innovation and collaboration.

To learn more, visit: www.blueplanet.asia

Herbalife Announces Cristiano Ronaldo Invests $7.5 Million in Pro2col™ Technology, Acquires 10% Equity Stake

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Advertorial Desk
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Long-time partner invests in shared vision for personalized health and wellness

HONG KONG, Feb. 23, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Herbalife Ltd. (NYSE: HLF), a premier health and wellness company, community and platform, announced global sports icon Cristiano Ronaldo acquired a 10% equity interest in HBL Pro2col Software, LLC, an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of Herbalife that holds the Pro2col technology. Pro2col is Herbalife’s next-generation, digital, personalized health and wellness operating system, designed to drive daily engagement, sustainable behavior change, and measurable outcomes through a structured, data-driven approach to wellness.

Cristiano Ronaldo acquired a 10% equity interest in HBL Pro2col Software, LLC, an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of Herbalife.
Cristiano Ronaldo acquired a 10% equity interest in HBL Pro2col Software, LLC, an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of Herbalife.

Ronaldo invested $7.5 million, along with a commitment to provide services and sponsorship rights to Pro2col Software. The investment underscores Ronaldo’s deep personal commitment to health and nutrition. It also reflects his confidence in the future of personalized nutrition and Herbalife’s ambition to make data-driven, personalized wellness accessible to communities globally—combining innovative technology with the power of personal support through its distributor community.

Herbalife has been Ronaldo’s global nutrition partner since 2013, inspiring better nutrition and performance globally. Herbalife and Ronaldo collaborated on the launch of Herbalife24® CR7 Drive, a sports drink formulated to meet the nutrition and performance needs of the global soccer legend and benefit athletes of all levels across the globe.

“Cristiano has been a valued partner for more than a decade, and his decision to take an ownership stake in Pro2col marks an important milestone in our relationship,” said Herbalife Chief Executive Officer Stephan Gratziani. “His investment reflects a shared belief in the power of nutrition, data, AI, and personalized insights to drive better health outcomes, and reinforces his confidence in the future impact of Pro2col.”

Pro2col uses an individual’s unique data to build a wellness plan specific to the individual, with daily habits and smart nutrition tracking. The platform adapts to the individual’s lifestyle, making wellness feel simple and personal. At its core is Pro2Score, a proprietary wellness scoring system that tracks progress across key wellness metrics—designed to deliver clarity, motivation, and actionable insights to support healthier lifestyles. Pro2col also equips Herbalife’s distributors with tools and insights that enhance customer engagement and support, making personalized nutrition and wellness more accessible and scalable.

“After more than a decade together, our relationship is built on trust and shared ambition. Investing in Pro2col felt like a natural evolution — in addition to representing Herbalife, this is about helping shape and grow a platform that can truly change how people engage with their health and wellness,” said Cristiano Ronaldo. “I’ve seen firsthand how Herbalife brings together science, innovation and personal support to make health and wellness more accessible. Working together with Herbalife to create something with lasting impact is what motivates me at this stage of my career.”

Pro2col supports Herbalife’s long-term strategy to become a more connected, data-driven health and wellness platform—integrating products, community, AI and digital capabilities to better serve customers worldwide. Herbalife has initiated a strategic, phased beta rollout of Pro2col, with the objective of gathering in-market user insights that will support a broader commercial release in the future. Beta access is currently available to distributors and customers in the U.S., Canada and Puerto Rico. Herbalife expects to expand beta access to additional international markets, beginning with select EMEA markets in 2026.

For more information, visit www.herbalife.com.

About Herbalife Ltd.

Herbalife (NYSE: HLF) is a premier health and wellness company, community and platform that has been changing people’s lives with great nutrition products and a business opportunity for its independent distributors since 1980. The Company offers science-backed products to consumers in more than 90 markets through entrepreneurial distributors who provide one-on-one coaching and a supportive community that inspires their customers to embrace a healthier, more active lifestyle to live their best life.

For more information, visit https://ir.herbalife.com.

Asia Pacific Media Contact

Susan Tan
Director, Corporate Communications, Asia Pacific
asiapacificteam@herbalife.com

Forward-Looking Statements

This release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. All statements other than statements of historical fact are “forward-looking statements” for purposes of federal and state securities laws, including any projections of earnings, revenue or other financial items; any statements of the plans, strategies and objectives of management, including for future operations, capital expenditures, or share repurchases; any statements concerning proposed new products, services, or developments; any statements regarding future economic conditions or performance; any statements of belief or expectation; and any statements of assumptions underlying any of the foregoing or other future events. Forward-looking statements may include, among others, the words “may,” “will,” “estimate,” “intend,” “continue,” “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate” or any other similar words.

Forward-looking statements made in this release speak only as of the date hereof. We do not undertake any obligation to update or release any revisions to any forward-looking statement or to report any events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events, except as required by law.

For the full description of the forward-looking statements related to this release, please refer to https://ir.herbalife.com/news-events/press-releases/detail/935/herbalife-announces-cristiano-ronaldo-invests-7-5-million

Lumen Technologies expands APAC cybersecurity capabilities in collaboration with Palo Alto Networks

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Advertorial Desk
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SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 23 February 2026 – Lumen Technologies has achieved the Palo Alto Networks NextWave Cortex XSIAM Select Specialisation Status in Singapore. This specialisation recognises partners who have demonstrated expertise in deploying and managing Cortex XSIAM, enabling them to help customers transform their security operations centres (SOCs).

Lumen’s Advanced MDR offering delivers comprehensive, AI-powered threat detection and response across cloud, on-premises, identity, and OT environments – helping customers gain full-spectrum visibility and control over their security operations. Built on Palo Alto Networks Cortex XSIAM platform, which unifies XDR, SOAR, ASM, and SIEM capabilities, the solution simplifies SOC workflows, eliminates console switching, and accelerates incident response through automation and advanced analytics. This platform-centric approach not only improves detection accuracy but also reduces operational complexity and licensing overhead.

As a Select Partner, Lumen supports seamless deployment of Cortex XSIAM, empowering customers to transform their security posture with confidence. Customers benefit from continuous threat hunting, tailored playbooks, and asset discovery powered by Lumen’s SOC analysts and Black Lotus Lab. With deep regional expertise, a strategic global network of SOCs, and a customer-first success model, Lumen ensures proactive defence against evolving threats.

Lumen has also recently been recognised in the Major Players Category in the IDC MarketScape: Asia/Pacific (excluding Japan) Managed Detection and Response (MDR) Services 2025 Vendor Assessment[1]. Lumen believes this recognition further validates its leadership in delivering scalable, outcome-driven security solutions.

“Our Advanced MDR offering is designed to give customers clarity and control in the face of growing cyber complexity. Partnering with Palo Alto Networks allows us to deliver a unified, intelligence-driven platform that not only strengthens security operations but also aligns with our customers’ business goals. This specialisation validates our ability to deliver trusted, outcome-focused cybersecurity, backed by deep regional expertise and a commitment to proactive protection,” said Ignatius Wong, Senior Director, Managed & Professional Services, APAC at Lumen Technologies.

Michelle Saw, Vice President, GTM Shared Services and Ecosystems, Asia-Pacific and Japan at Palo Alto Networks, said, “Lumen’s achievement is a significant milestone that reinforces our commitment to a partner ecosystem focused on delivering world-class security outcomes in APAC. In today’s complex threat landscape, customers need the power of a unified, AI-driven platform like Cortex XSIAM, combined with the deep regional expertise and managed services of a trusted partner like Lumen. We are proud to collaborate with Lumen to empower businesses across the region to transform their security posture and confidently face the next generation of cyber threats.”

[1] IDC MarketScape: Asia/Pacific (excluding Japan) Managed Detection and Response (MDR) Services 2025 Vendor Assessment, doc #AP52998725, September 2025.

Hashtag: #LumenTechnologies

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

About Lumen

Lumen is unleashing the world’s digital potential. We ignite business growth by connecting people, data, and applications – quickly, securely, and effortlessly. As the trusted network for AI, Lumen uses the scale of our network to help companies realise AI’s full potential. From metro connectivity to long-haul data transport to our edge cloud, security, managed service, and digital platform capabilities, we meet our customers’ needs today and as they build for tomorrow.

Proofpoint partners with Concentrix to strengthen human- and agent-centric cybersecurity across Asia Pacific

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Advertorial Desk
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Partnership integrates Proofpoint’s collaboration and data protection solutions into Concentrix SOC offerings, delivering enhanced security outcomes for regional enterprises

NEW DELHI, Feb. 23, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Proofpoint, Inc., a leading cybersecurity and compliance company, today announced a strategic partnership with Concentrix, a global technology and services leader. Together, the two companies will collaborate across Asia Pacific (APAC) to deliver enhanced, human- and agent-centric cybersecurity, leveraging Proofpoint’s security platform alongside a coordinated go-to-market strategy.

As part of the partnership, Concentrix will integrate Proofpoint’s collaboration security and data protection solutions into its Security Operations Centre (SOC) offerings, enabling customers across the region to better protect their people, data, and digital communications. The collaboration brings together Proofpoint’s industry-leading, human- and agent-centric security platform with Concentrix’s SOC expertise, regional scale, and managed services capabilities to deliver enhanced cyber resilience for enterprises and SMBs operating in an increasingly complex threat environment.

As organisations across APAC continue to accelerate digital transformation, expand cloud adoption, and adopt AI-driven workflows, cyber threats targeting people have become more frequent and sophisticated. Based on Proofpoint’s 2025 Voice of the CISO report, CISOs are increasingly concerned about their organisations’ ability to withstand a material attack. India stands out with 90% of CISOs expressing that their company is at risk of experiencing a material cyberattack in the next 12 months—the highest among all countries surveyed. This concern is driven by the fact that 99% of Indian CISOs have already reported the loss of sensitive data in the past year, which is the highest globally and significantly above the global average of 66%.

Through this partnership, Proofpoint and Concentrix will jointly go to market across key APAC markets, enabling customers to deploy and operationalise Proofpoint’s platform more effectively while aligning cybersecurity strategies with broader business and customer experience objectives.

“We are excited to partner with Concentrix and be able to extend Proofpoint’s offerings through trusted SOC services across Asia Pacific,” said Nelson Soon, Vice President of Channels and Alliances for Asia Pacific and Japan (APJ), Proofpoint. “By this innovative approach to combine Proofpoint’s industry-leading human- and agent-centric security platform with Concentrix’s services expertise and strong regional footprint, we can deliver meaningful security outcomes that support cyber resilience and business growth.”

“Concentrix is strengthening its managed services capabilities through a strategic partnership with Proofpoint. By combining Proofpoint’s people-centric security platform with our deep regional expertise, we enable enterprises to neutralize emerging threats and accelerate digital transformation with absolute confidence,” said Rishi Rajpal, Global Vice President, Governance, Risk & Compliance at Concentrix.

The partnership reinforces Proofpoint’s continued investment in the APAC region and its commitment to working with strategic partners to address the evolving cybersecurity needs of enterprises and SMBs operating in complex, highly regulated environments.

About Proofpoint, Inc.

Proofpoint, Inc. is a global leader in human- and agent-centric cybersecurity, securing how people, data and AI agents connect across email, cloud and collaboration tools. Proofpoint is a trusted partner to over 80 of the Fortune 100, over 10,000 large enterprises, and millions of smaller organizations in stopping threats, preventing data loss, and building resilience across people and AI workflows. Proofpoint’s collaboration and data security platform helps organizations of all sizes protect and empower their people while embracing AI securely and confidently. Learn more at www.proofpoint.com.

 Connect with Proofpoint on LinkedIn.

Proofpoint is a registered trademark or tradename of Proofpoint, Inc. in the U.S. and/or other countries. All other trademarks contained herein are the property of their respective owners.

About Concentrix: Powering a World That Works  

Concentrix Corporation (NASDAQ: CNXC), a Fortune 500® company, is the global technology and services leader that powers the world’s best brands, today and into the future. We’re solution-focused, tech-powered, intelligence-fueled. Every day, we design, build, and run fully integrated, end-to-end solutions at speed and scale across the entire enterprise, helping over 2,000 clients solve their toughest business challenges. With unique data and insights, deep industry expertise, and advanced technology solutions, we’re the intelligent transformation partner that powers a world that works, helping companies become refreshingly simple to work, interact, and transact with. Delivering outcomes unimagined across every major vertical in 70+ markets. Virtually everywhere. Visit concentrix.com to learn more. 

From Fortune. ©2026 Fortune Media (USA) Corporation. All rights reserved. Used under license.  Fortune and Fortune 500 are registered trademarks of Fortune Media (USA) Corporation and are used under license.  Fortune and Fortune Media (USA) Corporation are not affiliated with, and do not endorse products or services of, Concentrix.

Copyright 2026 Concentrix Corporation and its subsidiaries. All rights reserved. Concentrix, the Concentrix logo, and all other Concentrix company, product and services names and slogans are trademarks or registered trademarks of Concentrix Corporation and its subsidiaries.

Powerful 7.1 Magnitude Earthquake Strikes Parts of Malaysia, USGS Says

By
Thongsavanh Souvannasane
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The epicenter of the earthquake that struck early on 23 February was located less than 100km north-east of Sabah state capital Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia PHOTO: Screengrab from USGS

A strong magnitude 7.1 earthquake struck off the coast of Sabah state on the island of Borneo, Malaysia, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) reported.

The USGS said the quake occurred at approximately 12:57 AM on the early morning of Monday, 23 February, local time. The earthquake had a depth of 620 kilometers, with its epicenter located 55 kilometers north-northwest of Kota Belud, Malaysia.

Due to its significant depth, the tremors were felt across a wide area, including as far away as Singapore, according to local media.

No tsunami warning was issued, and there were no immediate reports of serious damage. 

The Malaysian Meteorological Department confirmed minimal impact but said it is closely monitoring the situation, though it measured the earthquake at a magnitude of 6.8, differing slightly from the USGS reading of 7.1.

No injuries or damage reported so far.

From Pondicherry to Udaipur, Agoda Mapped India’s Trending Valentine Getaways

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Advertorial Desk
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Increased accommodation searches point to a rising interest for calmer, scenic escapes

SINGAPORE, Feb. 23, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Digital travel platform Agoda analyzed accommodation search data for India’s topmost searched destinations for Valentine’s Day weekend, revealing a rise in interest compared to previous year in places such as Pondicherry and Varkala that offer a calmer pace of travel, scenic settings, and opportunities for shared experiences. From coastal towns to hill retreats and heritage cities, couples were keen to visit the places that allowed them to slow down and spend meaningful time together on Valentine’s weekend.

According to Agoda, Pondicherry recorded a 48% increase in accommodation searches compared to the previous year. The coastal town attracts couples with its seaside promenades, quiet beaches and streets shaped by French-era architecture, offering a walkable setting filled with cafés, boutique stays and ocean views. Varkala followed with a 41% increase in travel interest compared to the previous year, drawing visitors to its cliffside coastline where guesthouses, cafés and beaches sit above the Arabian Sea, creating a cozy environment ideal for a romantic getaway.

Chennai also saw a 38% increase in searches from the previous year, appealing to couples who want a mix of beach access, cultural sites and city comforts. Visitors often combine time along the Marina shoreline with visits to historical temples, museums and a varied dining scene, giving the city a flexible itinerary for romantic trips. Beyond the southern coastline, Lonavala in Maharashtra saw a 36% increase in accommodation searches compared to the previous year, with its misty hills, waterfalls, and nature trails making it a convenient weekend escape for couples from nearby cities. In the north, Udaipur recorded a 33% rise in travel interest, continuing to attract couples with its lakes, palaces, narrow old-city streets, and heritage properties that lend themselves to romantic, picturesque stays.

Commenting on the trend, Gaurav Malik, Country Director, Indian Subcontinent & Indian Ocean Islands at Agoda, said, “Valentine’s Day is becoming all about shared experiences full of love over grand gestures. This year, we saw growing interest from couples towards destinations that offer scenic settings, relaxed environments, and the space to spend quality time together, whether by the beach, in the hills, or in a heritage city. At Agoda, we make it easy for travelers to plan these getaways with a wide range of accommodation options, value deals, and a seamless booking experience.”

Travelers planning their getaways can browse Agoda’s wide range of offerings, spanning over 6 million holiday properties, more than 130,000 flight routes, and 300,000+ activities worldwide. Running from 14 to 28 February, Agoda’s Mega Sale will offer up to 60% off on hotel bookings, with special flash sales of up to 70% on 17 February and exclusive deals on flights and activities. Agoda VIP members will receive early access to deals from 10 to 13 February. The latest offers can be found on the Agoda app or at agoda.com/deals. 

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