Media OutReach
Ant International Highlights Democratising AI and Strengthening Trust in 2025 Sustainability Report
- With the inclusion principle integrated into main innovation projects, Ant International now links 2 bn user accounts with 150 mn merchants through multi-layered partnerships, provides global account services to 1.6 mn SMEs, and helps over 30 mn underserved businesses and individuals access quality credit.
- As its global payment, global account and embedded finance services expand rapidly, it is accelerating investments in compliance capabilities and advanced security technologies to tackle evolving regulatory and risk environments.
- From basketball courts in New York to marine protection in Java Indonesia, we build extensive partnerships to protect the environment and empower local communities.
SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 12 May 2026 – Ant International, a leading global digital payment, digitisation and financial technology provider, today published its 2025 Sustainability Report, the 2nd since the Company began independent operation.
This is also the first year Ant International integrated sustainability metrics into the management’s performance evaluation framework. As Eric Jing, Chairman of Ant Group and Ant International said, “Accountability must be structural, not aspirational. When sustainability outcomes are valued as much as revenue growth or operational efficiency, the whole organisation is more likely to align accordingly-just like how it might work with entire economies.”
In the Company’s 6Ts Sustainability Framework (Travel, Trade, Thrive, Tech, Talent, Trust), Inclusion remains the critical objective. “Our success relies on our ability to innovate for small businesses and emerging markets to thrive above social and technological shifts. Doing great by doing good should be our strategic differentiator,” said Peng Yang, CEO and Douglas Feagin, President at the Report’s launch.
- Alipay+ and Antom, the Company’s Global Payment pillars, now connect 2 bn user accounts globally to over 150 mn merchants. This vibrant ecosystem of interoperability links up more than 10 national QR systems and supports 300+ payment methods in over 220 markets, including all card schemes, and 50 digital wallets, bank apps and BNPL apps.
- Beyond payment, WorldFirst and Bettr, our Global Account and Embedded Finance services, support over 1.6 mn SMEs and provide credit access to 30 mn MSMEs and underserved users, integrating new AI and blockchain capabilities.
- The inclusion metric was built systemically into major innovation projects, for instance, more SME-friendly agentic payment and AI commerce tools, AI-as-a-Service platform for emerging markets, and the EPOS SME AI solutions.
“We will continue to double down on responsible innovation and collaboration to achieve our shared vision: a more inclusive, prosperous, and trustful global economy,” said Yang.

In 2025, Ant International’s sustainability work focused on 3 priorities across the 6T arenas:
Ant International rolled out various AI tools to ensure emerging markets and SMEs need to be able to leverage AI without massive infrastructure or capacity investments.
Payment AI & Agentic Commerce :
- Antom Copilot 2.0 completes payment integration, onboarding, risk and chargeback resolution in secure, automated workflow.
- Antom Agentic Payment Solution enables AI agents to securely initiate and complete card- and APM-based transactions in a pioneering payment mandate model.
FinAI Capacity Building:
- FinAI-as-a-Service platform, the GenAI Cockpit gives toolkits to fintechs, such as Malaysia’s TNG eWallet, and easypaisa, Pakistan’s first digital bank, to build flexible and autonomous AI commerce solutions, from customer-service assistants to sales copilots.
- Custom-made agentic AI assistants such as Alipay+ Voyager, an agentic AI travel companion embedded in super apps.
- Open-sourced AI FX solution delivers FX forecasts with up to 93% prediction accuracy across complex, volatile currency markets.
- EPOS360, an AI-powered SME operation and financing platform, rolls out in Southeast Asia.
The Company invested heavily in 2025 on technologies and partnerships on AML and security.
- SHIELD 3-in-1 Transformer model, supported by 7 bn parameters, identifies high-risk transactions with over 95% precision, while raising payment success rates by up to 13.5%.
- Digital Wallet Guardian Partnership shares risk tech, anti-fraud and funds protection solutions among wallet partners to protect consumers and merchants.
- The Alipay+ Privacy Enhancing Technology (PET) programme was cited by Singapore’s Personal Data Protection Commission in its practical guidance for industry application.
Meanwhile, advanced technology application must be harnessed by rigorous compliance standards and practices. In 2025, we further expanded:
- Our Risk Management Committee mechanism, which implements a comprehensive risk governance framework from the corporate down to the ground unit level.
- Our 3-layered Anti-Money-Laundering programme is anchored in a global baseline of minimum control standards to ensure consistency and integrity across all markets. We also use AI-powered risk detection and security review tools to improve accuracy and efficiency.
The Company plans to accelerate investments in global and local compliance capabilities to meet evolving regulatory and risk environments.
- As the Innovation Partner for Sustainability of the New York Liberty, Alipay+ began supporting New York Liberty, the WNBA champion team on Liberty Sneaker Drives for underprivileged groups, Math Hoops project to build youth skills, and Threes for Trees project in NYC and Brooklyn.
- AlipayHK launched a main digital channel for charity fundraising after the Tai Po fire, raising HK$200 million from 450,000 super app users in first three days.
- Ocean Buddy, an in-app mini-programme for whale-shark protection in Indonesia, was launched in collaboration with DANA and Konservasi Indonesia, leveraging gamification to connect users’ everyday digital activities to marine protection.
- 10×1000 Tech for Inclusion, a joint initiative with the International Finance Corporation (IFC) and over 50 global partners, has certified 9,504 since 2018, 55% of whom are women.
“Sustainability is increasingly becoming our primary driver of responsible innovation, “said Leiming Chen, Chief Sustainability Officer of Ant International, “we will work together to ensure that as we expand globally, our progress remains inclusive, measurable, and impactful for the communities we serve.”
Find the full Report on our website: www.ant-intl.com
Hashtag: #AntInternational
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
About Ant International
Ant International is a leading global digital payment, digitisation and financial technology provider. Through collaboration across the private and public sectors, our unified techfin platform supports financial institutions and merchants of all sizes to achieve inclusive growth through a comprehensive range of cutting-edge digital payment and financial services solutions. To learn more, please visit
https://www.ant-intl.com/
Media OutReach
New Research Revealed Effective Surgical Management Techniques for Gynecomastia in Asian Men, Resulting in High Patient Satisfaction
Between 2018 and 2023, Dr Ivan Puah treated over 550 cases, addressing unique challenges in Singapore’s multi-ethnic population. His study included diverse case profiles. Results revealing no complications and high satisfaction prove the need to adapt surgical techniques for variations in skin type between Asian and Caucasian patients.
SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 3 June 2026 – The evaluation and management of surgical treatment for gynecomastia primarily focus on Western populations. However, Amaris B. Clinic’s decades of experience in Singapore highlight specific considerations for Asian patients.
Dr Ivan Puah, Medical Director at Amaris B. Clinic and the lead researcher on a recent study, has offered new insights into treating gynecomastia, a condition characterised by male breast enlargement, in Singapore.
The research paper titled ‘Surgical Management of Gynecomastia in Asian Men – Clinical Experience and Considerations for Different Patient Types’ provides detailed, important considerations, including the management of the consultation process, addressing varying patient expectations, and tackling the surgical aspects necessary to achieve desired aesthetic outcomes.
Between 2018 and 2023, Dr Puah treated over 550 cases at Amaris B. Clinic and presented six representative patient cases that illustrate the demographics and unique challenges faced by this multi-ethnic Asian population.
The typical patient profiles included obese, overweight, and lean adults, as well as adolescents. Common causes of gynecomastia observed in the patients included hormonal changes during puberty, drug-induced gynecomastia from anabolic steroids, and conditions related to weight loss.
Dr Puah’s proprietary surgical methods involve making a single incision along the areola to minimise scar visibility while effectively excising glandular tissue, performing liposuction to remove excess fat, and tightening the chest skin.
Six case studies of diverse gynecomastia patient profiles
| Gynecomastia Grade | Demographic | Profile |
| Grade II | 17-year-old Chinese |
|
| Grade II | 18-year-old Chinese |
|
| Grade II | 22-year-old Malay |
|
| Grade II | 46-year-old Chinese |
|
| Grade IV | 28-year-old Chinese |
|
| Grade IV | 21-year-old Indian |
|
At the 3-month follow-up after surgery, 5 of 6 patients reported no complications, highlighting the effectiveness of the tailored surgical approach. They expressed high satisfaction with the aesthetic results of the procedure, rating it a perfect 7 out of 7, and reported relief from emotional distress.
Only one patient experienced mild keloid formation at the edges of both areolae where incisions were made, which were not easily noticeable, and reported no complications or dissatisfaction.
Dr Ivan Puah emphasises, “It is important to adapt surgical techniques to address issues such as scarring and hyperpigmentation, which can be more pronounced in Asian patients due to their skin types. The differences in skin quality and glandular tissue characteristics between Asian and Caucasian patients with gynecomastia necessitate distinctions in treatment planning, particularly regarding careful incision placement.”
The full paper is available via World Journal of Plastic Surgery at https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12843043/
https://www.amaris-b.com/
Liposuction
ABOUT DR IVAN PUAH
Dr Puah, an MOH-accredited liposuction doctor with extensive training in various cosmetic procedures, is committed to providing personalised care with an artful eye and proven medical techniques.
- Dedicated surgical training in gynecomastia surgery in San Francisco
- Chairman of the Lipo Peer Review Committee in Singapore
- Trained in Vaser liposuction (fundamental and hi-definition) in Colorado and Argentina
- Trained in syringe liposculpture, fat grafting, and thread lift from renowned French plastic surgeon, Dr Pierre Francois Fournier
- Appointed trainer by Allergan and Merz for fellow doctors on cosmetic injectables
- Designated trainer for PDO thread lift and Picolaser from Venusys Medical
- Graduate Diploma in Family Dermatology from NUS
- Graduate Diploma in Acupuncture from TCMB
- Graduate Diploma in Sports Medicine from LKCMedicine, NTU
Media OutReach
The Virchow Prize 2026 Awarded for Pioneering Work on Ebola, Advancing Global Epidemic Preparedness and Fostering Global Solidarity
Jean-Jacques Muyembe and Peter Piot are being honored with the international award of €500,000 for exceptional life-long leadership spanning five decades since the first outbreak of Ebola
BERLIN, GERMANY – Newsaktuell – 2 June 2026 – The Virchow Prize 2026 has been jointly awarded to Jean‑Jacques Muyembe and Peter Piot for their pioneering and enduring leadership in the discovery, control, and understanding of epidemic threats, and for advancing equitable, multilateral cooperation and governance that have fundamentally strengthened global preparedness and solidarity in the face of infectious disease outbreaks.
The announcement was made today by the Virchow Foundation which is granting the annual award. The selection of the laureates by the independent Virchow Prize Committee was preceded by a nomination period that ended on February 28, followed by a three-month deliberation period.
This moment resonates with particular historical gravity: 2026 marks both fifty years since the emergence of Ebola and a renewed confrontation with the virus through the current outbreak and unpreparedness.
According to the committee, the careers of Jean‑Jacques Muyembe and Peter Piot are anchored in a defining moment of modern infectious disease history: the first identified Ebola outbreak in 1976. Their collaboration demonstrated the necessity of crossing contextual, disciplinary and geographic boundaries, highlighting both the potential and the inequities inherent in global health partnerships. Over the decades, both Muyembe and Piot have worked – partly closely together, partly independent from each other in complementary ways – to transform epidemic research in an exemplary manner, firmly rooted in equity, reciprocity, and shared leadership.
Taken together, the laureates’ contributions illustrate a continuum that is central to advancing health for all: from discovery to delivery, from local response to global coordination, from emergency action to long-term system strengthening. Their work has directly improved the ability to detect, understand, and control deadly outbreaks, while also influencing broader frameworks for addressing global health challenges in a manner that is equitable and inclusive.
By awarding the Virchow Prize 2026 equally to Muyembe and Piot, their scientific achievements and their commitment to strengthening health systems and fostering global solidarity are honored. The laureates’ work embodies Rudolf Virchow’s legacy that health is inseparable from social organisation, governance, and collective responsibility.
Full Article and detailed Virchow Prize Committee jury rationale at www.virchowprize.org/vp2026
Contact: Virchow Foundation | Dorotheenstr. 83 | DE-10117 Berlin, Germany | pr***@*****ow.foundation
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
Media OutReach
HKUST Unicorn Day Brings Together Global Innovation and Entrepreneurship Leaders
Advancing Research Commercialization and Building a Vibrant I&T Ecosystem
HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 2 June 2026 – The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) today successfully hosted its annual “Unicorn Day,” one of Hong Kong’s flagship innovation and entrepreneurship events. The event brought together over 1,800 participants, including students, faculty, and alumni, as well as international and local government representatives, industry partners, investors, innovation and technology entrepreneurs, and researchers. Participants exchanged insights on strategies to strengthen collaboration across the innovation ecosystem, foster cross-disciplinary partnerships, and accelerate the translation of research outcomes into real-world impact.
The event was officiated by Prof. SUN Dong, Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry of the HKSAR Government, alongside consuls-generals and senior officials from countries including Australia, Chile, France, Hungary, India, Japan, Malaysia, the Netherlands, Vietnam, and the United Arab Emirates. They were joined by Prof. Nancy IP, HKUST President; Prof. Lionel NI, HKUST (Guangzhou) President; and Prof. Tim CHENG, HKUST Vice-President for Research and Development; in touring over 100 HKUST-nurtured startups, showcasing innovations and applications spanning areas such as healthcare, electronics, and artificial intelligence systems, as well as new materials, green energy, and sustainability.
Prof. Sun Dong remarked, “Innovation and technology (I&T) has always been at the top of the Hong Kong SAR Government’s agenda. We fully recognise the crucial role of local universities — not only as key partners, but as the bedrock of Hong Kong’s I&T ecosystem. In just three and a half decades, HKUST has risen to become a global powerhouse in deep tech, entrepreneurship, and innovation as demonstrated by its ability to nurture unicorns and deep-tech ventures. Hong Kong is entering a golden era of I&T development. We are building new engines to drive Hong Kong’s high-quality development, focusing on research and development in key fields and leading industry applications. I am confident that Hong Kong will rise as a leading international I&T center and contribute meaningfully to our nation’s high-quality development, and that HKUST will continue to be a driving force in this amazing journey.”
President Ip said, “As we mark the 35th anniversary of HKUST this year, we also celebrate the spirit of innovation and entrepreneurship that has long been embedded in our DNA. Both the Technology Transfer Center and the Entrepreneurship Center were established in the University’s early years to support faculty and students in realizing their entrepreneurial aspirations and to promote the translation of research outcomes into practical solutions. Over the past 35 years, the University has forged ahead with determination, sowing the seeds of innovation and yielding remarkable achievements across multiple frontier fields. Today, HKUST continues to broaden its horizons, strategically positioning itself in key domains. One example is medical education. The establishment of the HKUST Medical School will integrate the life sciences with cutting-edge technologies to nurture a new generation of interdisciplinary medical professionals.
Concurrently, HKUST has been actively involved in national initiatives such as the Chang’E 8 lunar exploration mission and research projects for the Tiangong Space Station, and the launch of the first commercially viable aerospace project under the RAISe+ Scheme. These achievements exemplify HKUST’s enduring ‘can do’ spirit over the past decades and echo the theme of today’s event—’From Ideas to Miracles—35 Years of Impact and Beyond’. Looking ahead, HKUST will continue to nurture bold ideas and action, working hand in hand with partners across different sectors to cultivate a vibrant innovation ecosystem, ensuring that research achievements benefit society and create lasting global impact.”
To support startups in expanding into global markets and to promote cross-border collaboration, HKUST introduced an “International Pavilion,” featuring startups and innovation organizations from various countries and regions. Participants from Thailand, Singapore and Korea were among those represented, strengthening connections between Hong Kong, and countries and regions along the Belt and Road in technology application and industry development.
The event also saw the signing of multiple partnership agreements, including six strategic collaborations with:
- GPTX Investment Management Limited
- China Everbright Water Limited
- Jiangsu Daotop Environmental Technology
- Samsung R&D Institute China – Guangzhou
- CalmCar Physical AI Innovation Center
- InnoAngel
to advance talent development and industry–academia integration, and foster innovation-driven research and real-world technology translation.
HKUST’s I&T Strength Driving Economic Growth
In addition, HKUST also released the report Driving Socioeconomic Impact Through Research and Innovation: Insights from HKUST, commissioned by the University and prepared by the international research information analytics organization Elsevier. The report highlights HKUST’s outstanding performance in innovation and entrepreneurship. Over the past five years, research output has recorded an average growth of 10%, approximately 9% higher than that of other local institutions. More than 65% of the research is concentrated in engineering and computer science, while 6.2% involves academia-industry collaboration, significantly higher than the global average of 2.7%. These collaborations have translated into impactful intellectual property, with approximately 1,670 patent applications and 700 grants over the same period, and a high IP utilization rate of above 30%.
Prof. Tim Cheng noted that the findings demonstrate HKUST’s steadily strengthening capabilities in research translation and academia-industry collaboration. HKUST’s publications achieved a Field-Weighted Citation Impact of 4.40, indicating that their citation impact is 4.4 times the global average. This underscores HKUST’s significant contributions to advancing Hong Kong’s socioeconomic development and enhancing its competitiveness in innovation and technology.
In addition, a “Marketplace” was also featured, showcasing products already launched by startups, including AI analytics tools, healthcare technologies, and smart city solutions, demonstrating the progress of translating research into practical applications.
Hashtag: #unicorn #unicornday #HKUST #partnership #innovation #startup #tech #AI #space #robotics #materialscience
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
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