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Harmony of Hope Christmas Concert 2025: Blessed to be a Blessing

Students at Wesley Methodist School Penang (International) unite their talents to spread joy and hope through music this Christmas.


KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA – Media OutReach Newswire – 6 November 2025 – This December, the students at Wesley Methodist School Penang (International) (WMSPI) will light up the stage with music that moves hearts and changes lives. The Harmony of Hope Christmas Concert 2025, themed Blessed to be a Blessing, is an annual student-led fundraising event that combines artistic performance with compassionate purpose.

To be held on 13 December 2025, Saturday from 7:00pm to 9:00pm at the Multipurpose Hall, WMSPI, the evening will feature captivating choral and orchestral performances by students, showcasing not only their musical skills but also the school’s commitment to holistic education, where learning extends beyond academics into acts of kindness and community service.

With a fundraising goal of RM100,000, proceeds from the concert will go to House of Hope (www.houseofhope.org.my) and Charis Hospice (https://charishospice.com/), two organisations dedicated to caring for the underprivileged and those in need.

Wesley Methodist School (WMS) is dedicated to holistic education that nurtures well-rounded individuals by fostering intellectual, spiritual, emotional, social, and creative potentials alongside academic excellence. Through this creative musical concert, WMSPI students are channelling their talents into meaningful expressions of love, embodying the true spirit of Christmas through giving, serving, and blessing others.

Tickets: Premium RM100 | Regular RM60

Tickets are available via the QR code on the event poster or by contacting the school office.

Join us this Christmas for an evening where music inspires generosity and every note played carries a message of hope.

Hashtag: #WMSPI #Charity #Christmas #WMS



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

Wesley Methodist School Penang (International)

In today’s rapidly evolving world, education must go beyond academics to prepare students for life. At Wesley Methodist School (WMS), we provide a well-rounded, character-driven education that empowers students not only to excel academically but also to grow holistically in character, social-emotion and spiritual dimensions.

Holistic Development for Every Student

We nurture each student’s potential by focusing on their mind, body, and spirit. Our curriculum fosters a love for learning while encouraging personal development through a wide array of subjects, extracurricular activities, and growth-oriented programmes. This holistic approach ensures students gain confidence, resilience, and a strong sense of identity.

Character Building at the Core

Character building is at the heart of our Methodist Education. At WMS, we emphasise values like integrity, respect for life, excellence with humility, and God-centeredness. Through classroom discussions, leadership opportunities, and community service, we teach our students the importance of living out these principles in everyday life, preparing them to lead with compassion and make meaningful contributions to society.

Faith-Based Education Rooted in Christian Values

Our Christian-based education offers students a strong moral foundation, helping them navigate life’s challenges with purpose and grace. With regular chapel services and spiritual guidance and programmes, students are encouraged to explore their faith, build a relationship with God, and cultivate a sense of hope that guides them toward a purposeful life.

Preparing Students for a Life of Impact

Choosing WMS means choosing an education that shapes well-rounded individuals ready to thrive in both personal and professional spheres. Our character-based approach equips students not only with the knowledge to pursue their dreams but also with the integrity and values to make a lasting positive impact on the world.

Philippine Death Toll Tops 140 as Typhoon Heads Towards Vietnam

Philippine Death Toll Tops 140 as Typhoon Heads Towards Vietnam
A resident walks along damaged houses in the aftermath of Typhoon Kalmaegi in Talisay, in the province of Cebu on 5 November 2025. (Photo by Jam STA ROSA / AFP)

By Faith Brown with Cecil Morella in Manila/AFP – Typhoon Kalmaegi has killed at least 140 people and left another 127 missing after unleashing devastating flooding across the central Philippines, official figures showed Thursday, as the storm headed towards Vietnam.

MediTrust Health Shares Insights at Hong Kong Fintech Week: AI Pragmatically Reshaping Cross-Border Healthcare Payments in the Greater Bay Area

HONG KONG, Nov. 6, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — MediTrust Health, the largest innovative healthcare payor platform in China, delivered key insights recently at the HealthTech Forum of “Hong Kong FinTech Week 2025.” Seth Zhang, Founder and CEO of MediTrust Health, stated that Artificial Intelligence (AI) is bringing disruptive innovation to the traditional insurance sector, with cross-border services emerging as a new industry trend. He emphasized that the company would leverage Hong Kong as a hub for expansion into overseas markets, highlighting its successful use cases in the Greater Bay Area (GBA) as a valuable reference for the industry.


MediTrust Health Shares Insights at Hong Kong Fintech Week

During a panel discussion titled, “AI Reality Check: What’s Powering Insurance and Healthcare Today,” Seth shared profound insights on AI’s transition from concept to large-scale implementation. He noted the polarized expectations for AI in the industry: one side is overly optimistic, believing AI can completely replace human roles, while the other fears errors in high-precision scenarios. MediTrust Health, he explained, focuses on specific, critical sub-domains to pragmatically achieve true disruptive innovation rather than mere incremental improvement.

AI Drives Core Operations to Achieve a “What You See is What You Pay” Seamless Experience

Discussing AI’s measurable impact, Seth noted that in its eight years since establishment, MediTrust Health has cumulatively processed nearly 400 million claims data entries using its proprietary AI platform (AI Hub mind42.ai) and has collaborated deeply with leading reinsurers.

He emphasized that MediTrust Health’s core strategy is to empower an end-to-end, intelligent closed-loop—spanning from insurance product design, precise pricing, and risk management to claims processing. Citing its flagship application, Care2Pay (一碼直付), as a prime example, he explained that the service generates an exclusive, AI-powered QR code in real-time. When a user pays a medical bill, the system automatically matches their insurance policy and completes the settlement. “This transforms a complex backend claims process into a seamless, front-end ‘what you see is what you pay’ user experience,” he stated.

“The AI model’s capability is the entry ticket, but industry value is the pass,” Seth added. “The future competitiveness of AI enterprises will depend on their irreplaceability within the ‘efficiency improvement—cost optimization—ecosystem win-win’ value chain.”

Simulating Expert Decisions to Overcome Data and System Challenges

The panel also delved into the real-world challenges of scaling AI applications. Seth identified that a primary challenge is fostering deep system transformation among partners. He noted that in the 2B market, guiding numerous insurance companies to migrate from legacy IT systems to AI-driven workflows is an extremely time-consuming, resource-intensive, and capital-intensive process.

Furthermore, data governance and standardization present another major obstacle. He analyzed that even in a data-rich market like China, information structurization requires significant improvement. This challenge is amplified in other markets, such as Southeast Asia, where data is highly fragmented and unstructured. To overcome these data limitations, MediTrust Health’s solution is the deployment of AI agents. Seth stated that these AI agents function as domain experts. Even in imperfect data environments, they can simulate professional decision-making processes, thereby ensuring a high-quality service experience.

Leveraging the Hong Kong Hub for New Cross-Border Medical Opportunities in Asia

Regarding strategic positioning, Seth stressed that Hong Kong is the core node for the medical integration of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and serves as MediTrust Health’s business base. “Hong Kong’s status as an international hub for capital and talent, backed by the Greater Bay Area, provides an irreplaceable strategic advantage,” he said.

MediTrust Health submitted its prospectus to the Hong Kong Stock Exchange mid-year for a planned Main Board listing, with Goldman Sachs, CICC, and HSBC as joint sponsors. The company is supported by top-tier institutions including GIC, HSBC, and Ant Group, giving it robust capital strength and international credibility. The company’s strategy is to integrate the dual advantages of “Hong Kong + GBA,” using the city as a critical springboard for expansion into overseas markets.

Looking ahead, Seth observed a new regional mobility trend among the middle class, with frequent travel between Hong Kong SAR, Singapore, and Japan creating immense demand for integrated healthcare services. MediTrust Health aims to precisely serve this cross-border consumer group by connecting medical resources across Chinese Mainland and Hong Kong, providing efficient healthcare payment solutions that eliminate the need for out-of-pocket payments and fulfill the cross-border healthcare connectivity needs of Hong Kong insurance users.

About MediTrust Health

MediTrust Health, as an innovative healthcare payor platform in China, is committed to transforming China’s healthcare payment system by addressing funding and payment challenges faced by patients, health insurers and pharmaceutical companies. With our AI-empowered technologies, we have augmented the healthcare payment ecosystem and realized triple wins for all three stakeholders. With a focus on the needs of patients, insurers and pharmaceutical companies, we have developed two main offerings: Smart Pharma Solution provides pharmaceutical companies with a comprehensive suite of commercialization solutions across the product lifecycle; Smart Insurance Solution enables health insurance innovation by offering end-to-end support to health insurers through our proprietary AI-empowered technologies and access to quality medical resources. Additionally, we have also launched Care2Pay, an all-in-one user platform, that allows users to discover more payment solutions and complete direct billing transactions, ultimately delivering more comprehensive, quality and accessible healthcare to patients and their families. As of December 31, 2024, we had serviced approximately 393 million commercial health insurance policies, of which our City Supplementary Insurance projects covered 160 cities, and achieved cumulative savings of RMB 6.7 billion in out-of-pocket costs for patients. 

More information can be found on the official website: https://www.meditrusthealth.com/en

The 26th China Annual Conference & Expo for International Education Concludes in Beijing, Accelerating Cross-Border Partnerships

BEIJING, Nov. 6, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — The 26th China Annual Conference & Expo for International Education (CACIE 2025), hosted by the China Education Association for International Exchange (CEAIE), concluded in Beijing after four days of dynamic exchange. More than 5,000 participants from over 70 countries and regions gathered under the theme “Bridging Education and Beyond” to explore new pathways for international cooperation.

CACIE2025 Opening Plenary
CACIE2025 Opening Plenary

The conference featured a full agenda of opening plenary, parallel forums, exhibitions, and high-level meetings, offering a comprehensive platform for global education dialogue and partnership.

A highlight of the conference was the release of 25 major reports, including “Study on Country-Specific Approaches to Chinese-Foreign Cooperative Education” and the “Successes and Challenges in China-UK TNE Partnerships – Understanding Management Best Practices of TNE Programs in China,” which provided comprehensive analysis and strategic recommendations for cross-border educational cooperation. In addition, 42 cooperation agreements were signed during the event, laying the groundwork for new institutional partnerships and expanding access to high-quality educational resources.

The conference also provided a practical platform for connection. The China–New Zealand Education B2B Session facilitated direct dialogue between 25 New Zealand institutions and Chinese counterparts, while the China–U.S. Education B2B Session brought together 14 U.S. institutions under the coordination of the American Association of State Colleges and Universities. These sessions supported real-time matchmaking and furthered the shared mission of building high-efficiency collaboration networks.

Across 39 parallel forums, more than 500 speakers examined pressing issues such as global talent development, STEM education, vocational training, educational innovation, and digital transformation. Diverse voices from university administrators and EdTech pioneers to policy leaders contributed a wealth of perspectives and actionable solutions, underscoring education’s central role in shaping resilient, equitable societies.

The 2025 China Education Expo, an integral part of CACIE, opened its doors in Beijing from October 31 to November 1. Featuring 18 national pavilions and nearly 400 institutions from 38 countries and regions, the Expo in Beijing welcomed over 15,000 students and parents. A series of study-abroad seminars offered detailed guidance on global study destinations, with the exhibition now continuing its nationwide tour in China.

At its reception night, CACIE 2025 unveiled Thailand as the Country of Honor for next year’s event, inviting the global education community to reconvene in 2026 for another chapter of cooperation and cultural exchange.

 

New Partnership Strengthens River Data, Forecasting, Sustainable Development in Laos

Australia strengthens partnership with MRC. (Photo supplied by the Mekong River Commission)

MRC – The Mekong River Commission (MRC) and the Government of Australia have reinforced their long-standing partnership with additional support and new digital tools to improve water monitoring and management in the Mekong region.

On 5 November, a ceremony at the MRC Secretariat in Vientiane marked Australia’s formal pledge of USD 1.71 million to support the MRC’s Environment and River Profile Survey. This key program helps the MRC monitor river conditions, forecast changes, and assess the health of the Mekong Basin. The data collected guides decisions on managing and protecting the river.

Australia’s support builds on its core contribution to the MRC under the Mekong-Australia Partnership, which aims to strengthen water security, economic resilience, and sustainable growth in the region. “Australia is proud to support this project as it will benefit the MRC, its member countries, and the river’s communities, economy, and environment,” said Megan Jones, Australian Ambassador to Laos.

The event was attended by Linkham Douangsavanh, Minister of Agriculture and Environment of Laos. Together with the MRC and Australia, he witnessed the formal launch of a new “Digital Twin” platform. The platform uses real-time hydrological, meteorological, and spatial data to show how changes in rainfall, river flow, or land use could affect communities and ecosystems.

“With this Digital Twin platform, we are giving our communities and partners a window into the river’s future,” said Douangsavanh. “When we see what may come, we can plan better, respond faster and protect the peoples and their livelihoods and nature that depend so much on the Mekong.”

“Today we harness new digital capabilities and advanced capabilities so that we can ensure shared benefits for the sustainable development of the Mekong River Basin. The MRC is grateful for this timely support from Australia that has allowed this to happen,” said Busadee Santipitaks, Chief Executive Officer of the MRC Secretariat.

Lao-Hmong Refugee Kaohly Her Makes History as St. Paul’s Next Mayor

Lao-Hmong Refugee Kaohly Her Makes History as St. Paul’s Next Mayor
Kaohly Vang Her strides to the stage to announce she is the new mayor of St. Paul on November 5, 2025. (photo credit: Aaron Nesheim | Sahan Journal)

State Representative Kaohly Her made history on 4 November, becoming the first woman and first Hmong American elected mayor of St. Paul, the capital city of the state of Minnesota, United States.

MDRT Celebrates Excellence at 29th Asia Insurance Industry Awards

MDRT sponsored the “Life Insurance Company of the Year” award category which was awarded to HSBC Life (International) Limited.

SINGAPORE, Nov. 6, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — MDRT (Million Dollar Round Table), The Premier Association of Financial Professionals®, was proud to sponsor the Asia Insurance Review‘s 29th Asia Insurance Industry Awards’ (AIIA) “Life Insurance Company of the Year” category, which was awarded to HSBC Life (International) Limited on Monday, 3 November at the Awards Ceremony at Marina Bay Sands Expo & Convention Centre, Singapore.

For more than a decade, MDRT has worked with the Asia Insurance Review to support and promote the financial services profession. This AIIA sponsorship reinforces MDRT’s commitment to the growth of companies and advisors across the region and celebrating their success.

“MDRT remains dedicated to empowering financial professionals with the tools and inspiration they need to thrive,” says MDRT Chief Executive Officer, Stephen P. Stahr, who presented the award. “Our sponsorship of the 2025 AIIA ‘Life Insurance Company of the Year’ Award celebrates organizations that set the benchmark for success in life insurance distribution by upholding professionalism and driving meaningful contributions to clients, advisors, and the industry as a whole.”

While MDRT membership requirements have a foundation in life insurance, they have expanded into more comprehensive and sophisticated financial planning. By embracing diverse distribution channels—agency, financial advisory, bancassurance, and other open-architecture partnerships—MDRT’s relevance and importance have grown across global markets, especially in Asia. MDRT is excited to drive further growth in the region through several endeavors, including its AIIA sponsorship.

MDRT pictured with top management of HSBC Life Group Office and select markets
MDRT pictured with top management of HSBC Life Group Office and select markets

For almost a century, MDRT has been a member-driven network of leading insurance and financial services professionals who serve their clients with the highest standards of ethics, knowledge, service and productivity. Today, MDRT has members from more than 80 nations and territories and nearly 700 companies, and seven Asia-Pacific markets are among the top 10 in total MDRT membership.

MDRT opened the Asia-Pacific headquarters in Singapore in 2023 to better serve its members and companies in the region. It liaises with MDRT’s U.S. headquarters and satellite offices in China and India to improve member resources and benefits and support local and regional leaders with events across Asia.

MDRT congratulates HSBC Life (International) Limited again on their accomplishment and invite others to apply to the “Life Insurance Company of the Year Award” which will be sponsored again by MDRT in 2026.

About MDRT

Founded in 1927, MDRT (Million Dollar Round Table), The Premier Association of Financial Professionals®, is a global, independent association of the world’s leading life insurance and financial services professionals from more than 80 nations and territories and nearly 700 companies. MDRT members demonstrate exceptional professional knowledge, strict ethical conduct and outstanding client service. MDRT membership is recognized internationally as the standard of excellence in the life insurance and financial services business. For more information, please visit www.mdrt.org.

Lunai Bioworks achieves complete regression of both primary and metastatic pancreatic tumors in preclinical humanized models, marking a breakthrough in allogeneic cancer immunotherapy

Lunai Bioworks Announces Publication of Second-Generation Allogeneic Dendritic Cell Therapy Platform in the journal “Vaccines”.

LOS ANGELES, Nov. 6, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Lunai Bioworks (NASDAQ: LNAI), an AI-powered drug discovery and biodefense company, has announced a major scientific breakthrough: its next-generation immune cell therapy led to complete regression of both primary and metastatic pancreatic tumors in humanized mouse models.

Images of control and 2nd Gen treatment condition mice using in vivo imaging system. Live imaging system was utilized to capture the tumor growth at various timepoints. The DC treated mouse showed absent signals of tumor at 5-week post dosing.
Images of control and 2nd Gen treatment condition mice using in vivo imaging system. Live imaging system was utilized to capture the tumor growth at various timepoints. The DC treated mouse showed absent signals of tumor at 5-week post dosing.

The study was published in a new Brief Report in Vaccines on November 2, 2025. The peer-reviewed Brief Report details the development of a second-generation, clinical-grade DC construct that achieved complete regression of both primary and metastatic pancreatic tumors in preclinical humanized models. Pancreatic cancer is one of the deadliest cancers, often diagnosed late and resistant to conventional treatments. Lunai’s therapy uses engineered dendritic cells — specialized immune cells created from stem cells — that are genetically enhanced to activate the body’s immune system against cancer. This publication details a second-generation, clinical-compliant version of this platform, with the provided evidence critical in advancing ongoing partnering conversations for the therapy.

This new publication builds on Lunai’s earlier study (Vaccines 2025 Jul 12;13(7):749; doi:10.3390/vaccines13070749), which first demonstrated potent anti-tumor activity of CD34+ hematopoietic stem cell (HSC)-derived DCs engineered to overexpress CD40L, CD93, and CXCL13 in humanized mouse models of pancreatic cancer. While the initial study utilized a research-grade lentiviral vector, the latest report describes an optimized, clinically compliant construct that preserves equivalent efficacy while improving design and manufacturing attributes to support future clinical translation.

The second-generation construct features a strong mammalian promoter and enhanced genetic elements to drive expression of key immune-modulating molecules. In preclinical humanized models, Lunai’s next-generation DC therapy triggered robust activation of cytotoxic T cells and NK cells and led to complete regression of both primary and metastatic pancreatic tumors. These findings mirrored the outcomes achieved with the original research-grade product. While the allogeneic DC product has been evaluated in pancreatic cancer models, its therapeutic potential extends to a broad range of solid tumors.

“These findings demonstrate that our vector optimization strategy maintains therapeutic potency while bringing our allogeneic DC platform to the threshold of IND-enabling studies,” said David Weinstein, CEO of Lunai Bioworks. “This represents an important inflection point as we move from research innovation to clinical translation—positioning Lunai at the forefront of next-generation cell-based immunotherapies.”

The full article, titled “Modified Hematopoietic Stem Cell-Derived Dendritic Cell Therapy Retained Tumor-Inhibitory Function and Led to Regression of Primary and Metastatic Pancreatic Tumors in Humanized Mouse Models,” is available in Vaccines (https://www.mdpi.com/2076-393X/13/11/1131).

About Lunai
Lunai Bioworks Inc. is an AI-powered drug discovery and biodefense company pioneering safe and responsible generative biology. With proprietary neurotoxicity datasets, advanced machine learning, and a focus on dual-use risk management, Lunai is redefining how artificial intelligence can accelerate therapeutic innovation while safeguarding society from emerging threats. For more visit www.lunaibioworks.com.

Forward-Looking Statements:
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