SINGAPORE, Oct. 31, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Cebu Pacific (PSE: CEB), the Philippines’ leading carrier, has been recognized as Asia’s Low-Cost Airline of the Year by the Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation (CAPA), a global authority in aviation research and analysis. 

The award highlights CEB’s strong business performance and its continued drive to make air travel affordable and accessible for everyone. CAPA’s annual recognition honors the airline that demonstrates outstanding strategic leadership, innovation, and lasting industry impact, setting the standard for low-cost carriers across the region. 

“We are deeply honored to receive this award from CAPA. It recognizes the passion and commitment of every Cebu Pacific employee who works hard each day to make flying safe, affordable, and accessible for our passengers,” said Mike Szucs, CEB Chief Executive Officer. “As we expand our reach, our purpose remains clear—to connect people and communities, and to help fuel tourism and economic growth across the Philippines and the Asia-Pacific.”

The CAPA Awards for Excellence are not driven by customer surveys or sponsorship. They are independently researched by an international panel of judges and analysts. 

CEB stood out for its record-breaking passenger growth and strong financial performance. From January to September 2025, CEB has flown nearly 20 million passengers, a 13.9% increase from 17.5 million in 2024. Domestic passengers grew 12.7% to 14.9 million, while international passengers grew 17.7% to 5.1 million. The seat load factor averaged 84.8% for the period, while overall capacity in seats went up by 14% to 23.5 million. 

The airline’s success stems from its low-cost model, which has transformed air travel in the Philippines by expanding connectivity, opening new routes, and keeping fares affordable for more travelers. To meet growing demand, CEB has also invested heavily in its fleet and network expansion, including a record-breaking order for up to 152 Airbus A321neo aircraft—the largest in Philippine aviation history.  

Cebu Pacific now flies to 37 domestic and 26 international destinations across Asia, Australia, and the Middle East, further expanding its network and leadership in the Asia-Pacific as it continues to make air travel more accessible to everyone. 

SINGAPORE, Oct. 31, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — To mark Halloween, digital travel platform Agoda has released a curated list of five destinations in Asia known for their haunting beauty and eerie folklore. These locations are perfect for travelers seeking a touch of the supernatural, offering mysterious tales and paranormal occurrences. Adventurers drawn to ghostly legends or the allure of the unknown are invited to embrace the Halloween spirit with something thrilling and out of the ordinary at each of these destinations.

From the mystical landscapes of India to the spooky sites of Thailand, each destination on Agoda’s list promises a unique experience steeped in local culture and tradition. Travelers can explore the eerie charm of these places, where history and mystery intertwine, for an unforgettable journey.

Here is Agoda’s selection of Asia’s most intriguing spots, perfect for those looking to add a supernatural twist to their travel plans this Halloween.

1.       Mae Nak Shrine, Bangkok, Thailand

This shrine is dedicated to the legendary ghost Mae Nak, a figure from Thai folklore known for her enduring love and tragic tale. The site attracts visitors seeking luck for easy childbirth and lottery numbers. The tale of Mae Nak, adapted for screen, television, and stage, inspired the famous Thai horror movie “Pee Mak.”

2.       Meghalaya’s Living Root Bridges, Meghalaya, India

In the northeastern state of Meghalaya, these extraordinary bridges are crafted from the roots of rubber trees by the Khasi and Jaintia tribes. They are not only a testament to the ingenuity of traditional practices but also steeped in local folklore about the spirits of the forest.

3.       Mount Osore, Aomori, Japan

Known as the “Fear Mountain,” this sacred site is believed to be a gateway to the afterlife in Japanese folklore. The area is home to hot springs and the Bodaiji Temple, where traditional rituals are held, offering a serene yet mystical experience.

4.       Siquijor Island, Philippines

Known for its mystical tradition, witchcraft, and healing practices, Siquijor is a place where folklore and spirituality are intertwined. The island’s healers, or “mananambal,” are central to its cultural identity, providing a distinctive perspective on Filipino traditions.

5.       Dol Hareubang Statues, Jeju Island, South Korea

These iconic stone statues are believed to be guardians against evil spirits. Found throughout Jeju Island, they are central to local folklore and offer a glimpse into the island’s unique traditions.

6.       Mahsuri Tomb, Langkawi, Malaysia

This site is linked to the legend of Mahsuri, a tale of love, betrayal, and a curse that is said to have lasted for seven generations. The tomb and its surroundings echo the island’s rich cultural narratives and local beliefs.

Krishna Rathi, Associate Vice President at Agoda, shared, “Agoda is thrilled to guide travelers to these enchanting destinations where history and mystery intertwine. Whether you’re drawn to the eerie beauty of Meghalaya’s root bridges in India or the mystical aura of Siquijor Island in the Philippines, Agoda is here to make your Halloween travel adventures as seamless as possible with great deals on accommodations, flights, and activities.”

For those eager to explore these hauntingly captivating locations, Agoda offers over 6 million holiday properties, more than 130,000 flight routes, and over 300,000 activities, all of which can be combined in the same booking. Find the best deals on its mobile app and discover more at Agoda.com.

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Singapore, Oct. 31, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — ROLO Robotics, is a Singapore-based food robotics company pioneering fully autonomous micro-kitchen solutions and systems, has raised US$3.45 million in an oversubscribed Seed round led by BEENEXT, with participation from Blueprint Ventures, TIS Japan, Seedstars, A2D Ventures, SUTD Ventures, Antler, and Lotus One Investment. The round also saw continued support from strategic angels Valentin Schillo and Gilbert Rodrigues.

Labor shortages are a growing global problem driving up consumer prices
Across developed markets globally, mounting labour shortages, soaring wages, and tightening margins are the key challenges for any food operator today. In Singapore, F&B wages have risen 40–50 % over five years while turnover exceeds 100 % annually. Rising rents, food costs and compliance costs further strain profitability, forcing many kitchens to reduce hours or close altogether. Margins are shrinking, yet the demand for variety and optionality continue to soar. Those who win, do so because they have found a way to maintain margins and profitability at scale.  

ROLO’s Robotics micro-kitchen solutions offer unmanned cooking and service through robotics, automation and AI, removing dependency on human labor. Each autonomous unit can operate 24/7 with minimal replenishment, cutting labour costs by up to 80 % across the value chain while improving consistency, quality, food safety, availability and driving down costs for consumers.

“At ROLO, we believe the future of food service is human-robot collaboration — food that’s affordable, customisable and always fresh,” said Ravi Nahappan, Co-Founder & CEO. “MAYA 3.0 brings industrial-grade precision into everyday kitchens. This funding allows us to accelerate deployments in Singapore and Australia while strengthening the connective tissue between robotics, AI and future humanoid collaboration.”

MAYA 3.0 – The World’s First Autonomous Fast-Food Kiosk
ROLO’s flagship solution –      MAYA 3.0 – integrates robotic arms, multi-appliance coordination and proprietary ChefOS AI to cook, package and serve fresh meals in a compact footprint. Unlike vending or reheated meal systems, MAYA visibly cooks food to order with full customisation of flavours and add-ons. It provides convenience with customisation. The menu offering does not stop there with other cuisine workflows including Asian Noodles, Salad Bowls, Pasta and Wok dishes in the pipeline.        

Jeremy Soh, Vice President at BEENEXT, added: “ROLO isn’t just prototyping — it’s deploying real systems that solve real labour and cost challenges. The combination of reliable hardware and intelligent orchestration software gives ROLO a defensible edge. With commercial pilots already signed, Ravi and Tushar are building a category-defining company at the forefront of applied robotics in food service.”

Deployments are planned across Singapore in partnership with food operators, universities, hospitals and transport hubs, followed by pilot sites in Australia (Q1 2026). The company targets 20–30 autonomous micro-kitchens in Singapore by 2026, creating a distributed, connected network of always-on robotic micro-kitchens.

Building the Connected Ecosystem for the Future of Food
Beyond its own units, ROLO is partnering with ingredient producers, kitchen-equipment makers and contract caterers to develop automation-ready products and integrate its control software into next-generation appliances. This ecosystem approach allows the entire supply chain — from central kitchens to facility operators — to scale efficiently and sustainably.    

About ROLO Robotics
Founded in Singapore, ROLO Robotics develops autonomous kitchen systems that merge robotics, AI and food engineering to power the next generation of food service. Its flagship micro-kitchen, MAYA, enables 24/7 unmanned operation across retail, campus, industrial and hospitality environments.

Media Contact
hello@rolorobotics.com | www.rolorobotics.com | ROLO Robotics Pte Ltd, Singapore

TAIPEI, Oct. 31, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — The Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI) announced the appointment of Dr. Pei-Zen Chang as its new President.

In his inaugural address, Dr. Chang emphasized that innovation remains the driving force behind Taiwan’s industrial growth. He noted that amid global shifts and rapid technological advancement, ITRI will continue to serve as the government’s most trusted think tank and the industry’s most reliable technology partner.

Dr. Chang outlined three key priorities for ITRI moving forward: empowering talent through cross-institutional and interdisciplinary collaboration to advance cutting-edge technologies; accelerating industrial transformation across both high-tech and traditional sectors; and strengthening international engagement to connect Taiwan with global partners and promote the nation’s innovation leadership worldwide.

Dr. Chang earned his Ph.D. in Theoretical and Applied Mechanics from Cornell University and a B.S. in Civil Engineering from National Taiwan University (NTU). A distinguished expert in technology policy and R&D management, he has held several prominent leadership positions, including Deputy Executive Secretary of the Executive Yuan’s Science and Technology Group, Chairman of the Nanotechnology and Micro System Association, Secretary General of NTU, Executive Vice President of ITRI, and Dean of D-School @ NTU. His research interests encompass mechatronic systems, industrial sensing, and digital technologies.

About ITRI

Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI) is one of the world’s leading technology R&D institutions aiming to innovate a better future for society. Founded in 1973, ITRI has played a vital role in transforming Taiwan’s industries from labor-intensive into innovation-driven. To address market needs and global trends, it has launched its 2035 Technology Strategy and Roadmap that focuses on innovation development in Smart Living, Quality Health, Sustainable Environment, and Resilient Society.

Over the years, ITRI has been dedicated to incubating startups and spinoffs, including well-known names such as UMC and TSMC. In addition to its headquarters in Taiwan, ITRI has branch offices in the U.S., Germany, the UK, Japan, and Thailand in an effort to extend its R&D scope and promote international cooperation across the globe. For more information, please visit https://www.itri.org/eng.

SHANGHAI, Oct. 31, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Recently, the XMAN-R1, a humanoid embodied service robot developed by Keenon Robotics – a global leader in general-purpose and special-purpose embodied humanoid robots – has been officially deployed at the Shangri-La Traders Hotel, Shanghai Hongqiao Airport. The hotel has not only become one staffed by humanoid robot servers but also establishes the world’s first smart scenario model demonstrating collaborative operations between “General-Purpose + Special-Purpose” robots. Keenon’s integrated robot matrix has been fully integrated into the hotel’s operations, covering diverse scenarios such as front desk greetings, room cleaning, food and item delivery, and luggage handling.

The newly opened Shangri-La Traders Hotel, Shanghai Hongqiao Airport, part of the Shangri-La Group portfolio, aims to create a benchmark for a new generation of business hotels combining efficiency and enjoyment. Facing challenges like high service demand and the critical need for consistent service quality, the hotel management sought technological innovation to optimize human resource allocation, strengthen service standardization, and create a unique stay experience for guests.

In this partnership, Keenon’s humanoid service robot XMAN-R1 assumes the role of a greeter. Through natural language interaction and anthropomorphic actions, it can proactively greet arriving guests, engage in intelligent Q&A interactions, and present a welcome gift to each guest. Its smooth and natural service performance creates a highly technological and immersive experience for guests. Keenon’s special-purpose robots also perform their respective duties diligently: the delivery robot W3 handles in-room deliveries; the high-payload transport robot S100 manages luggage; the cleaning robot C40 takes care of hotel cleaning; and food delivery within the hotel restaurant is handled by Keenon’s T10 and T3 robots.

The XMAN-R1 is Keenon’s humanoid service robot, developed based on vast amounts of real-world scenario data and designed with the philosophy of “Role-Oriented, User-Friendly, and Safety-First,” enabling it to seamlessly adapt to the service industry scenarios Keenon has deeply cultivated for years. The core driving force behind it is the company’s self-developed KOM2.0, the world’s first Vision-Language-Action (VLA) model for the service industry, which forms the foundation of the robot’s general intelligence. The vertically-optimized model for specific domains like hotels, KEENON ProS, acts like comprehensive “vocational training,” equipping the robot with professional job skills. Keenon’s proposed concept of “Robot Role-Orientation” involves deconstructing commercial service scenarios into independent work modules, where each module corresponds to a single, standardized role with clearly defined boundaries and responsibilities, establishing a precise “Robot-to-Role” correspondence. This approach is expected to accelerate the commercial application of embodied humanoid robots.

As a pioneer with 15 years of deep cultivation in the service robotics field, Keenon Robotics has successfully deployed its embodied robot solutions in over 60 countries and regions worldwide, with cumulative deployments exceeding 100,000 units. Addressing the unique challenges of the service industry – characterized by non-standardization, high dynamism, and strong interaction – Keenon’s strategy of synergistic advancement between “General-Purpose” and “Special-Purpose” robots will faster promote the broader commercial adoption of embodied intelligence. Humanoid robots, with their anthropomorphic form, demonstrate innate advantages in environmental adaptation, intent understanding, and complex task execution; while special-purpose robots for delivery, cleaning, etc., achieve superior operational efficiency in their respective roles.

The successful deployment of this Keenon general-purpose and special-purpose robot portfolio at the Shangri-La Traders Hotel, Shanghai Hongqiao Airport, not only embodies the concentration of Keenon’s years of commercial scenario data accumulation and technological development but also signifies that embodied intelligence is now practically enhancing hotel operational quality and guest stay experiences in a more efficient and convenient manner, providing a highly valuable practical reference model for the industry’s intelligent upgrade.

KOHAT, Pakistan, Oct. 31, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — In a milestone for higher education in Pakistan, Kohat University of Science & Technology (KUST) has entered into a strategic partnership with MindHYVE.ai™ to introduce ArthurAI™, an advanced agentic AI learning platform, into its academic ecosystem.

Pioneering the future of learning — KUST partners with MindHYVE.ai™ to bring agentic AI education to Pakistan’s classrooms

The collaboration—formalized through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed on October 21, 2025—marks KUST as the first public university in Pakistan to pilot an agentic AI learning platform that integrates artificial intelligence with pedagogy, personalization, and data-driven academic innovation.

The initiative aligns with Pakistan’s Open and Distance Learning (ODL) framework, positioning KUST at the forefront of digital transformation in education.

ArthurAI™: Enabling Intelligent, Personalized Learning

Developed on MindHYVE’s educational reasoning framework, ArthurAI™ is designed to make education adaptive, data-informed, and accessible at scale.

The platform leverages Learning Cognitive Profiling (LCP) — an AI system that continuously analyzes student learning patterns to deliver personalized content, insights, and feedback in real time.

Early institutional deployments have demonstrated measurable improvements in:

• Instructional efficiency, reducing manual course-preparation time and enabling educators to focus on mentorship and research.
• Student engagement, supported by adaptive content generation and predictive analytics.
• Learning continuity and accessibility, through a secure, cloud-based architecture optimized for reliability and performance.

At KUST, the ArthurAI™ Academic Excellence Edition will be implemented across select faculties to evaluate the impact of AI-personalized instruction, data-driven teaching analytics, and real-time curriculum adaptation within classroom and distance-learning environments.

Integrating AI Literacy for the Future Workforce

The partnership will also explore the integration of The Dawn Directive, a groundbreaking AI literacy and fluency program authored by MindHYVE’s agentic AI educator — and developed under the California Institute of Artificial Intelligence (CIAI).

Through this program, KUST students and faculty will gain exposure to AI literacy, digital communication, data ethics, and responsible AI collaboration, ensuring readiness for the emerging AI economy.

The partnership also emphasizes transparency, inclusivity, and responsible technology deployment, aligning with international frameworks for ethical and explainable AI in education.

Dr. Syed Zafar Ilyas, Vice Chancellor of KUST, stated:
“This collaboration represents a turning point for Pakistani higher education. By integrating MindHYVE’s intelligent learning technologies, KUST is embracing the future of academic innovation — one where education is adaptive, data-driven, and student-centered.”

Bill Faruki, Founder and CEO of MindHYVE.ai™:
“With ArthurAI™, education becomes truly personalized and inclusive. Our partnership with KUST creates a scalable model for AI-integrated learning that supports educators, empowers students, and ensures responsible innovation across institutions in Pakistan.”

About Kohat University of Science & Technology (KUST)

Established in 2001, KUST is a leading public university located in Kohat, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. The institution offers programs across science, technology, management, and life sciences, and is committed to academic excellence, research innovation, and the digital transformation of higher education (www.kust.edu.pk)

About MindHYVE.ai™

MindHYVE.ai™ is redefining the boundaries of intelligence by engineering autonomous systems and deploying domain-specific AGI agents across real-world sectors. Powered by the Ava-Fusion™ large reasoning model and architected for agent coordination, swarm intelligence, and adaptive autonomy, MindHYVE’s technology stack is revolutionizing law, medicine, finance, education, and governance.

With operations in North America, Asia, and Africa, MindHYVE.ai™ is on a mission to democratize access to transformative intelligence and architect the infrastructure for post-scarcity economies. Backed by HYVE Labs, the company continues to shape the future of agentic systems on a global scale.

Website: www.mindhyve.ai | Email: hello@mindhyve.io | Contact: +1 (949) 200-8668

Media Contact:
Marc Ortiz
Email: marc.ortiz@mindhyve.io