ISTANBUL, TURKEY – Media OutReach Newswire – 18 June 2025 – The report “Evolving Legacy: Decoding the Scientific Trajectory of Chinese Medicine” released today by Hong Kong Baptist University (HKBU) and Elsevier, reveals the growing impact of Chinese Medicine research on global healthcare and modern health challenges. In this context, “Chinese Medicine research” encompasses not only clinical practice, but also basic and translational science, AI-driven systems medicine, and the network pharmacology of herbal formulas. This first bibliometric analysis of Chinese Medicine research from 2014 to 2023 highlights the field’s rapid growth, interdisciplinarity, and societal impact on Digital Health and Systems Medicine.
HKBU and Elsevier launched a new report “Evolving Legacy: Decoding the Scientific Trajectory of Chinese Medicine”, highlighting the growing global impact of Chinese Medicine research in diversified healthcare solutions.
Key findings from the report include:
Rapid expansion: Chinese Medicine research grew at a 10.6% compound annual growth rate — more than double the global research average — nearly tripling output between 2014 and 2023.
High scholarly impact: 14.2% of Chinese Medicine papers ranked among the world’s top 10% most-cited (global norm: 10%), with a field-weighted citation impact (FWCI) of 1.12.
Interdisciplinary breadth: Medicine dominates (61.9% of output), followed by Biochemistry, Genetics & Molecular Biology (33.1%) and Pharmacology (28.1%). Citing publications span diverse major domains — from Engineering to Materials Science.
Global collaboration hubs: Hong Kong SAR and Macao SAR exceed 80% cross-regional collaboration, above the 18% world average, and achieving FWCI >1.6 in cross-regional collaborative publications.
Emerging research foci: Top-published trending topics include “Herbaceous Agent | Chinese Medicine | Network Pharmacology” and COVID-19 applications, reflecting integration of omics, AI and systems methods.
Societal resonance: 11.1% of research outputs were mentioned on social media and 2.9% cited in policy documents, reflecting growing public and policymaker interest.
Bridging a global integration gap
Chinese Medicine’s mainstream integration lacks a global, transparent, evidence-based framework. To elevate its scientific profile, key strategies include developing internationally accepted clinical guidelines through expert consensus, enhancing trial reporting standards to improve research quality, and fostering interdisciplinary, cross-regional collaboration to drive innovation and systemic impact.
“‘Evolving Legacy’ demonstrates how Chinese Medicine research has matured into a global, evidence-informed field,” said Professor Lyu Aiping, Vice-President (Research & Development), HKBU, and a leading expert in Chinese Medicine. “We envision a future where data science and AI illuminate what Chinese Medicine research has long intimated, providing deeper insights into health classifications and compound interventions. The next frontier is using Chinese Medicine research to uncover insights possibly overlooked in Digital Health and Systems Medicine, strengthening their scientific foundation and impact.”
“This report offers unprecedented insights into Chinese Medicine’s evolving scientific landscape,” added Basak Candemir, Business Development Director, Analytical and Data Services, Elsevier. “It illuminates the growing global impact of Chinese Medicine research and its role in diversified healthcare solutions, making a vital step towards bridging traditional knowledge with modern validation for the benefit of global health.”
The report was developed using Elsevier’s bibliometric tools, Scopus and SciVal, based on a comprehensive dataset and case studies compiled in collaboration with HKBU Chinese Medicine research experts. The report can be accessed on https://cm-evaluation.scm.hkbu.edu.hk/.
Hashtag: #HKBU
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
Thailand's Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra attends the plenary session at the 46th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit in Kuala Lumpur on May 26, 2025. (Photo by Jam STA ROSA / AFP)
Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra is facing mounting public pressure to resign after a leaked phone conversation with Cambodian Senate President Hun Sen went viral on 18 June, sparking a political firestorm and intensifying scrutiny over her handling of the ongoing Thai-Cambodian border dispute.
The audio, confirmed by Hun Sen as authentic, captured a 17-minute call on 15 June. The Cambodian leader said the recording was made “for transparency and internal purposes.”
It was later shared with around 80 Cambodian officials before it was leaked to the public, according to Hun Sen in a Facebook post on 18 June.
In the conversation, Paetongtarn appeared to offer concessions, expressing willingness to comply with Hun Sen’s requests to de-escalate tensions over the Thai-Cambodian border checkpoint closures.
She also made a pointed remark about Thailand’s 2nd Army Region commander, Lt Gen Boonsin Padklang, implying he was aligned with the opposition and prone to saying things “just to make himself look cool.”
Following public outcry and viral circulation of the clip, Paetongtarn held an urgent press briefing to clarify her remarks.
She insisted that her reference to “the opposition” was aimed at Cambodian critics of the Thai government, not her own military.
She reiterated that Thailand sought a return to the peaceful status quo that existed before the 28 May troop clash.
Hun Sen, for his part, was heard criticizing the Thai military’s actions, claiming Cambodia had complied with all Thai requests, including troop repositioning, only for Thailand to then unilaterally restrict border access. He insisted such behavior was “unacceptable.”
The timing of the leak is particularly sensitive, coming as Cambodia issued a 24-hour ultimatum to Thailand to fully reopen all border checkpoints or face a ban on Thai imports. While Thailand denied officially closing the border, citing only adjusted operating hours, the leaked audio has exposed the frailty of bilateral coordination.
Public Outcry
The latest incident sparked domestic public outcry in Thailand as many took to Facebook, calling Paetorngtarn to resign from her current position as the Prime Minister of Thailand.
“The army is always ready to defend Thailand — but is the Prime Minister?” one user questioned.
“She’s unfit to lead this country. For our sake, she must resign,” another commenter stated.
Some even went so far as to accuse her of “treason.”
“I’ve never supported the military, but this time, I have to side with them,” wrote one user.
“Opposing the army is like opposing the people,” another post read.
A district in Xayabouly banned on-stage kissing and night wedding parades. (photo credit: 2 Seconds).
Local authorities in Xayabouli Province have banned public kissing displays between newlyweds on stage during weddings and prohibited evening wedding processions (normally held in the morning), citing cultural preservation concerns.
The 9 June announcement from Xienghon district prohibits couples from kissing on stage in front of guests, allowing such displays only during private Baci ceremonies, which are normally held in small rooms at the wedding’s venue.
District officials called public kissing “inappropriate and not in line with the nation’s cultural heritage,” in the official document.
Master of Ceremonies (MCs) were instructed not to encourage couples to kiss during public ceremonies.
Furthermore, Khan Mak processions (traditional parades typically held during wedding ceremonies) will now be limited to a single round in the morning.
Traditionally, these processions are meant to take place during the daytime, but in recent years, many have shifted to nighttime celebrations.
This change has often been accompanied by excessive drinking among the bride, groom, and their wedding party, leading to behavior that strays from the ceremony’s original cultural intent.
Evening parades, which have become increasingly popular in recent years, are now banned in Xienghon district.
Violators will face a graduated disciplinary process: an initial warning and formal record, followed by a monetary fine for repeat offenses. Continued violations may result in increased fines and the suspension of a MC’s permission to perform.
Local authorities emphasized that the measures are designed not to limit celebration but to uphold the dignity, values, and customs that define Lao cultural identity.
Public Reaction Has Been Mixed
Some people expressed support, emphasizing the importance of preserving traditional values and modesty.
“I agree with the announcement and fully support it, it’s a great example for the whole country. Really good!” one commenter wrote.
However, many younger citizens and social media users criticized the announcement, calling it outdated and overly restrictive.
“Kissing and hugging are normal expressions of affection and bonding in every society. How is it forbidden?” one comment read.
“What’s next? You’re going to ban sexual intercourse?,” another commenter wrote.
Others described the move as “nonsense” and urged officials to focus on more pressing local issues.
Tineco’s global sales dominance reaffirms its industry leadership.
SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 18 June 2025 – Tineco is proud to announce that Euromonitor International, the world’s leading independent provider of strategic market research, has recognised the brand as the No. 1 global leader in the household wet & dry vacuum cleaner category*. This recognition reflects Tineco’s commitment to innovation and quality in the home cleaning sector.
Harnessing over two decades of industry innovation, Tineco began its journey with a single vacuum cleaner. Demonstrating a commitment to pioneering excellence, a significant milestone came in 2018 with the launch of the world’s first smart vacuum cleaner. This was soon followed by the debut of its first smart floor washer in 2019 and an intelligent carpet cleaner in 2022.
Today, Tineco products are trusted by more than 14 million users across key global markets, including North America, Europe, and Asia.
975 Patents, 577 Registered Trademarks Worldwide
SMART TECHNOLOGY MEETS EVERYDAY CLEANING
Now a globally recognised leader in smart home appliances, Tineco spans the floor care, kitchen, and personal care categories, holding 975 patents and 577 registered trademarks across domestic and international markets. For three consecutive years, the company has also maintained its position as the No. 1 wet & dry vacuum brand on Amazon in the United States, Canada, France, Italy, Australia, and Japan.
“At Tineco’s inception, we set out to simplify life and household tasks through smart technology. Over the past 26 years, our dedicated R&D team has made significant investments and remained steadfast in our mission to set the benchmark for excellence in floor care solutions,” said Ling Leng, CEO of Tineco.
“Being named the No. 1 global leader in the wet & dry vacuum cleaner category by Euromonitor International is an incredible milestone. This recognition reinforces our commitment to continuous innovation and to delivering exceptional products that enrich our customers’ lives around the world. Looking ahead, we remain laser-focused on expanding into new markets, introducing cutting-edge technologies that simplify everyday living, and broadening our product portfolio to meet diverse needs.”
VERSATILE AND INTELLIGENT: FLAGSHIP MODELS THAT REDEFINE HOME CLEANING
Tineco’s flagship models—including the FLOOR ONE S9 Artist, FLOOR ONE S9 Artist Steam, and FLOOR ONE Switch S7 Stretch—combine intelligent features with superior power and user-friendly design to transform everyday cleaning. Each model has been thoughtfully engineered by Tineco’s R&D team to address real-world challenges, incorporating technological innovation and valuable consumer feedback to enhance overall user satisfaction.
FLOOR ONE S9 Artist: The S9 Artist is a high-performance floor cleaner equipped with 360° SmoothDrive™ Technology for effortless manoeuvrability in all directions—requiring up to 50% less handholding*. Its slim HyperStretch design (just 12.85 cm in height) allows for deep reach under furniture. The unit effectively manages hair with a Dual-Block Anti-Tangle system, while ensuring hygiene through the MHCBS (Maintain Hygiene Clean Brush System) and FlashDry Self-Cleaning that uses 85°C hot water. Other innovations include Backtrack Water Erasure to eliminate streaks, a repositioned clean water tank for lighter handling, and an optional Electrolysed Water feature for enhanced cleaning power.
FLOOR ONE S9 Artist Steam: The S9 Artist Steam offers an all-in-one cleaning solution, combining HyperSteam technology (140°C) with Dual-Stage Heating to dissolve oil, grime, and bacteria for deep sanitation. Key upgrades from its predecessor include an extended 75-minute runtime (up from 50 minutes), Flash Charging with 2A fast charging to reduce downtime, powerful 22kPa suction for deep crevice cleaning, and Triple-sided Edge Cleaning to ensure thorough results along walls and skirting boards. It’s engineered for high performance, with modern living in mind.
FLOOR ONE Switch S7 Stretch: The S7 Stretch is a versatile 5-in-1 device offering floor washing, vacuuming, crevice cleaning, soft surface care, and high-reach dusting. Designed to replace traditional vacuums, it handles wet and dry messes—including oily stains—using 22kPa suction power. Key features include MHCBS continuous brush rinsing, a 180° lay-flat HyperStretch design (reaches under furniture as low as 13 cm), Dual-Block Anti-Tangle, dual-sided edge cleaning, and a FlashDry Self-Cleaning system. In vacuum mode, it offers 5-stage HEPA filtration (capturing 99.97% of 0.3μm particles), a ZeroTangle Brush, LED headlight, and up to 70 minutes of runtime on upgraded long-life batteries.
A leader in the intelligent floor care category, Tineco’s smart models are powered by proprietary iLoop™ Smart Sensor Technology, which automatically adjusts suction in real-time based on detected messes. This not only optimises battery life but also allows users to visualise cleanliness via a colour-changing LED ring that shifts from red to blue when the surface is clean. Guided by customer insights, all new Tineco models are equipped with self-cleaning capabilities, significantly streamlining maintenance and elevating the overall user experience.
Tineco products are available globally, with North American distribution through Amazon, Tineco’s official online store, and more than 10,000 major retail locations, including Target, Walmart, Best Buy, Costco, Home Depot, and Canadian Tire. In Singapore, Tineco is available at major retailers such as Courts, as well as online via Shopee, Lazada, and other authorised platforms.
To learn more about Tineco and explore its full range of intelligent stick vacuums, floor washers, carpet cleaners, and more, please visit the official Tineco Shopee store or Tineco Lazada store.
*Source: Euromonitor International (Shanghai) Co., Ltd.; based on retail sales volume worldwide for H2 2023 and H1 2024. Household wet & dry vacuum cleaners are defined as household cleaning appliances that dispense clean water (or cleaning solution) to wash hard floors, then vacuum up the dirty water and debris. Research completed in November 2024.
Hashtag: #Tineco
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
About Tineco
Founded in 1998, Tineco is a high-tech company and a wholly owned subsidiary of ECOVACS Group (SHA: 603486). The brand began with its first vacuum cleaner and went on to pioneer the world’s first smart vacuum in 2019. Today, Tineco is a global leader in intelligent appliances across floor care, kitchen, and personal care categories. Dedicated to innovation, the brand continues to create smart technologies that simplify everyday life and redefine convenience. For more information, visit the official Tineco Shopee store or Tineco Lazada store.
BEIJING, CHINA – Media OutReach Newswire – 18 June 2025 – The livestreaming-commerce model has taken the world by storm in recent years. In China, numerous enterprises are actively venturing into livestreaming e-commerce, including several airlines.
In 2024, Hainan Airlines established HNA Preferred Business Co., Ltd., specializing in Internet livestreaming and sales. Notably, as early as 2020, the airline began piloting livestream sales on platforms like Ctrip, primarily offering flight tickets and hotel packages—making it one of China’s earliest adopters of livestream commerce in the aviation sector.
Hainan Airlines released a loss forecast for the first half of 2024. Industry analysts suggest its progressive push into livestreaming likely stems from challenges in its core business, where achieving structural profit growth has become increasingly difficult, compelling the company to seek new revenue streams.
Flight attendant Zhuang Xuan of Hainan Airlines began participating in livestreaming e-commerce operations in 2022. Originally from China’s Taiwan region, Zhuang has garnered a significant following due to her sweet appearance and distinctive Taiwan accent, driving considerable traffic to the airline’s livestream initiatives.
“A sense of belonging means feeling that you have influence or a rightful place within your team—especially when your capabilities are recognized by everyone,” Zhuang remarked.
This young professional, under 30, is now pushing her boundaries at Hainan Airlines while seeking her own sense of belonging. Hashtag: #ChinaNewsService
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
Amid escalating tensions between Thailand and Cambodia over disputed border areas, regional activist group ACT4DEM (Action for People’s Democracy) has issued a statement urging citizens to resist political division and embrace unity across borders.
Meeting of the Lao Journalist Association (photo credit: VTE)
As part of the Lao government’s push to streamline administration, the Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism has been restructured, with its media sector now placed under the Party Central Committee’s Propaganda and Training Board.
The investment includes household essentials hampers for over 1,100 ComLink+ families, a cash donation to the Prudential Longevity Pledge, and community edible gardens
SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 18 June 2025 – Prudential Singapore (“Prudential”) has unveiled a special $880,000 SG60 community investment to celebrate Singapore’s 60th birthday and its office move to Labrador Tower.
From left to right: Eugene Tay, Senior Assistant Director, Sustainability Partnerships Office, Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment; Chan San San, CEO, Prudential Singapore; Joel Tan, CEO, KidSTART Singapore; Anil Wadhwani, CEO, Prudential plc; Jack Lim, Managing Director, Community Chest; Elizabeth Aw, Second General Manager, Social Service Office @ Kreta Ayer and Bukit Merah, Ministry of Social and Family Development. They were at an event to celebrate Prudential’s move to its new office at Labrador Tower. During the event, Prudential also announced a $880,000 community investment which includes household essentials hampers for over 1,100 ComLink+ families residing in the vicinity of Prudential’s new office at Labrador Tower, a cash donation to the Prudential Longevity Pledge, and the establishment of community edible gardens later this year.
Aligned with the SG60 theme of “Building Our Singapore Together”, Prudential’s community initiatives focus on uplifting and connecting Singapore residents to build a resilient and inclusive society for generations to come. They include household essentials hampers for over 1,100 ComLink+ families residing in the vicinity of Prudential’s new office at Labrador Tower. In addition, the company will make a donation to the Prudential Longevity Pledge to further support KidSTART families through an ongoing fresh food produce programme, as well as establish community edible gardens later this year to nurture community bonds.
Ms Chan San San, CEO of Prudential Singapore, said: “With over 90 years of history in Singapore, Prudential has a deep connection with the country and its people. As Singapore marks its 60th year of independence and Prudential moves to its new office at Labrador Tower, we want to celebrate by investing in the wellbeing of our community.”
Bringing corporate and agency teams under one roof at Labrador Tower
In May 2025, Prudential completed its move to Labrador Tower, occupying a floor area of over 170,000 square feet in total. The extensive space houses both its corporate office which spans two and a half floors, and its agency offices which occupy five floors. The insurer has also incorporated an additional shared floor into the layout where corporate and agency teams can interact more easily. This will strengthen the synergy between Prudential’s 1,200-strong corporate employees and 5,400-strong financial representatives in its agency.
Ms Chan said: “The move to Labrador Tower strategically unites our corporate and agency teams under one roof. We anticipate that the shared spaces and increased interactions will foster deeper collaboration, facilitate greater knowledge exchanges, and promote a more seamless approach to serving our customers.”
Prudential’s existing distribution channels also include strategic bancassurance partners, United Overseas Bank (UOB) and Standard Chartered. This year marks the 15th anniversary of working with UOB, while 2024 was the 25th anniversary with Standard Chartered. Together with Prudential’s tied agency and financial advisory arm, Prudential Financial Advisers Singapore, they serve the financial needs of more than one million customers.
Prudential’s new office supports hybrid work with a variety of spaces to cater to different work requirements and greater collaboration between corporate and agency teams. These include libraries for focused tasks, different types of meeting areas for both informal and formal discussions, and convenient phone booths to take calls. Combined with Prudential’s flexible work arrangements, the new office encourages both planned and spontaneous interactions to support knowledge sharing, enabling the corporate and agency teams to work together more effectively to better meet customers’ needs.
For more information on Prudential’s $880,000 community investment, please refer to Annex A. Annex A – Prudential’s SG60 community investment
The $880,000 community investment comprises:
Household essentials hampers for ComLink+ families
Prudential volunteers will be packing and distributing household essentials hampers to over 1,100 ComLink+ families residing in the vicinity of Prudential’s new office at Labrador Tower. Items in the hamper include household essentials such as hand soap and dishwashing liquid to support families in maintaining their wellbeing through access to essential personal hygiene and household cleaning items for a clean and healthy home environment.
Cash donation to the Prudential Longevity Pledge
The SG60 community investment includes a cash donation to the Prudential Longevity Pledge, a fundraising programme established in partnership with Community Chest in 2021 to provide support to vulnerable groups in the community. This collaboration ensures sustained financial support, and is bolstered by Prudential’s annual contributions.
The SG60 cash donation will go towards supporting KidSTART Singapore (“KidSTART”) families through its community programme, Healthy with KidSTART, which was launched in 2020 as a collaboration between Prudential and KidSTART. Aimed at promoting healthy eating habits among children aged 0-6 years old, Prudential contributes by funding the packing and delivery of monthly fresh produce packs to families, holding interactive and educational events, and producing resources such as live online cooking shows and recipe cards with tips on how to engage young children in the kitchen during meal preparation. Prudential[1] and KidSTART volunteers have clocked almost 20,000 volunteering hours since the inception of the programme, packing and delivering the fresh produce packs at least three times a year to benefit more than 3,000 KidSTART families.
Establishment of community edible gardens
To foster community resilience for a more sustainable future, Prudential will be launching a new initiative called Heathy Harvest later this year. With this initiative, the company aims to drive environmental responsibility and enhance wellbeing by setting up community edible gardens. These gardens will serve as social and therapeutic green spaces that enable connection with nature, encourage sustainable gardening activities and promote healthy eating through the distribution of fresh produce grown at the gardens.
More details on the community gardens will be shared at a later date.
[1] Prudential volunteers comprise Prudential employees, agency force, partners, and friends and family.
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
About Prudential Assurance Company Singapore (Pte) Ltd (Prudential Singapore)
Prudential Assurance Company Singapore (Pte) Ltd is one of the top life and health insurance companies in Singapore, serving the financial and protection needs of the country’s citizens for 94 years. The company has an AA- Financial Strength Rating from leading credit rating agency Standard & Poor’s, with S$57.7 billion funds under management as at 31 December 2024. It delivers a suite of well-rounded product offerings in Protection, Savings and Investment through multiple distribution channels including a network of more than 5,400 financial representatives.
About ComLink+
ComLink+ aims to uplift lower-income families with children towards stability, self-reliance and social mobility (3S). These lower-income families face additional challenges and often have to stretch limited resources to meet various needs. Through ComLink+, MSF partners and supports families over the longer term as they work towards achieving their aspirations and goals.
Under ComLink+:
Family coaches and volunteer befrienders journey with ComLink+ families on their customised action plans to support their needs and aspirations.
Government and the community work together to provide Comprehensive, Convenient, and Coordinated (3C) support.
Government and the community give additional longer-term support to ComLink+ families who do their part to secure a better future.
About Community Chest As the hallmark of care and share, Community Chest has been uniting the community to mobilise resources and raise funds to serve those in need since 1983. Community Chest supports more than 200 critical programmes to meet underserved and critical social needs. As our fundraising and operating costs are covered mainly by Tote Board, 100% of your contributions goes towards empowering the lives of adults with disabilities, children with special needs and youth-at-risk, persons with mental health conditions, and families and seniors in need of support.
About KidSTART Singapore KidSTART Singapore Ltd (KidSTART SG) is a non-profit organisation specialising in supporting families in early childhood development.
We partner the government, the hospitals and the community to empower families with less resources in building strong foundations for their children under 6 years old. Our team of highly trained KidSTART practitioners support caregivers with evidence-based guidance on pregnancy, child development and assessments on the developmental progress of children from birth onwards. Our vision is to give children a good start in life.
KidSTART SG is a Company Limited by Guarantee (CLG) and registered as a charity with Institution of a Public Character (IPC).
Click here to check eligibility and for more information on KidSTART SG.
About Healthy with KidSTART Healthy with KidSTART is an early childhood nutrition programme, launched in 2020 as a collaboration between KidSTART Singapore (“KidSTART”) and Prudential Singapore. The initiative is aimed at promoting healthy eating habits among children aged 0-6 years old, recognising that good nutrition during this stage is crucial to their development.
Through the programme, families receive monthly deliveries of fresh vegetables and fruits. They also gain access to recipe cards that teach them how to make healthy meals via simple and affordable recipes with the items they receive.