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Paul Moller stands in the back corner of a large garage in Davis, California, clean-shaven and wearing a large pair of golden aviator glasses. The 52-year-old engineer is a professor down the road at the University of California, Davis, but he’s not the type to sit back with a book and highlighter. In his white polo shirt and glossy brown bomber jacket, he looks ready to tinker with the shiny invention behind him at knee-level at a moment’s notice. advertisement advertisement The dark blue saucer behind Moller features eight propellers encircling a small, one-person cockpit. Behold Moller’s new M200X—a vehicle reminiscent of the Jetson family’s green flying car that Moller says is almost ready for manned test flights. Cut to: Moller stands outside with the M200X in an open grassy field. The vehicle, tethered to a rope, powers up, whirring loudly. The saucer lifts slowly into the air, rocking back and forth unsteadily, before Moller and his team signal … [Read more...] about Paul Moller’s 50-year dream to build a flying car won’t die

The Philippine Competition Commission (PCC) is setting up a digital forensics laboratory to develop its capacity to investigate cartels or abuses of dominance by big businesses. The independent, quasi-judicial, antitrust body formed to implement the Philippine Competition Act (PCA or Republic Act No. 10667) said the laboratory would have specialized forensics equipment, software, as well other tools useful for their operatives. “The development of PCC’s digital forensics capacity is a major asset for our enforcement team,” PCC officer-in-charge Johannes Bernabe said in a press statement on Wednesday. He added that the use of digital forensics would allow their investigators to uncover trails of electronic transactions or documents that point to cartels or collusions. PCC investigators will also undergo proficiency trainings and accreditation on the use of digital forensics equipment. The commission said further that it would deepen its partnership with the National Bureau of … [Read more...] about Antitrust agency builds capability to battle cartels

C orn dogs will fry. Pigs will parade. Butter cows will greet visitors from their climate-controlled enclosures. This month is go-time for Ferris wheels, bacon-wrapped beef on a stick and llamas dressed in costumes . For the first time since the pandemic laid waste to the business, state fairs across the U.S. will swing open their gates hoping disease and deficits are behind them. The big question is whether they can overcome higher prices, vendor worker shortages and lingering fear of Covid-19 to regain or surpass their pre-pandemic form. “This whole year, everything about it has felt normal in a new world,” said Jerry Hammer, CEO of the Minnesota State Fair, second only to Texas in size and host to the llama costume contest, which also includes alpacas. “We’re in a much different place than we were three years ago. People are excited about the fair this year. The issues we have are typical, where they haven’t been for the last two years.” State fairs seem like … [Read more...] about State Fairs Hope To Put Disease And Deficits Behind Them In Their First Full-Throttle Season Since Covid

Small and medium businesses (SMEs) can improve employee retention and reduce recruitment costs by building an “employer brand”. SMEs with good employer branding see 20 percent revenue growth as compared to 8 percent in those with poor employer branding. An employer brand is more than just goodwill or reputation. Every business has a branding whether it is built consciously or not. The products and services, quality, news about its leaders and so on build an image in the minds of customers, suppliers, and current and future employees. What goodwill and corporate brands are to reputation and perception, employer branding is to potential job seekers. How are you perceived as an employer is what the employer branding seeks to address. SMEs face a serious challenge in finding, engaging and retaining talent. Positioning as a good employer is critical to attracting talent or SMEs will have to shell out more for even short-term talent. It is not just compensation but a company’s … [Read more...] about To attract and retain talent, work on ‘employer brand’

A concept image of a new waste incinerator to be built in Seoul [SEOUL METROPOLITAN GOVERNMENT] Seoul announced Wednesday that it will build a new waste incinerator by 2026 and make it into a city landmark. The city government held a press conference Wednesday to announce the new incinerator for municipal waste. In addition to the four incineration plants already in the capital — in Yangcheon, Nowon, Gangnam and Mapo — Seoul announced it will add another by 2026. An independent committee will choose the site in September. According to the city government, the four plants operating in Seoul incinerate around 2,200 tons of waste per day. That is not enough for the household waste generated by its 9.5 million residents, and some 1,000 tons is being buried in the Sudokwon landfill in Incheon. Following a ban on burying municipal waste in landfills in the greater capital region that goes into effect in 2026, Seoul needs a new incinerator. In 2019, the city twice attempted to … [Read more...] about Seoul says its 5th incinerator will become a landmark

The country’s chief economist expects more private sector funding for public infrastructure projects materializing soon, as President Marcos approved the plan to revisit the supposedly “antimarket” provisions of the guidelines of the Amended Build-Operation-Transfer (BOT) Law. “We have already received the President’s directive to review the implementing rules and regulations or IRR of the BOT Law. We are presently awaiting the convening of the committee to review the rules,” Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Arsenio Balisacan told the 2022 economic forum organized by the Economic Journalists’ Association of the Philippines (EJAP) and San Miguel Corp. (SMC). “We have received several private sector stakeholders’ comments expressing their concerns over specific provisions of the IRR. Of course, a careful review of the rules requires that we perform a balancing act: encouraging private investment to promote job creation, technological innovation, and product competition while … [Read more...] about Marcos OKs Neda review of ‘antimarket’ BOT Law rules

SHANGHAI -China’s EVE Energy Co Ltd will supply BMW with large cylindrical batteries for its electric cars in Europe, two people with knowledge of the matter said, as the German automaker follows Tesla Inc in adopting the new technology. EVE has signed contracts to be BMW’s primary supplier of the battery cells in Europe for its new series of electric vehicles due to hit the market from 2025, said one of the people who has direct knowledge of the deal. Tesla this year started manufacturing its new larger-format 4680 cylindrical battery – denoting 46 millimeters in diameter and 80 millimeters in length. It has said it expects the battery to lower production costs and improve range compared to the current-generation 2170 cylindrical battery. Guangdong-based EVE’s batteries will be similar in size, said the sources, who were not authorized to speak to media and declined to be identified. Company filings also show EVE is planning a large cylindrical battery plant in central China. … [Read more...] about China’s EVE to supply BMW Europe with Tesla-like cylindrical batteries

Executives from NPX Capital pose for photos during an interview with the JoongAng Ilbo at the JoongAng Ilbo building in Sangam-dong, western Seoul, on July 21. From left are: Ka Jong-hyun, chief operating officer of Terapin Studios; Samuel Hwang, CEO of NPX Capital; and Kim Do-young, chief legal officer of NPX Capital. [WOO SANG-JO] The webtoon market is a promising one — or at least in the eyes of a young Korean investment company. NPX Capital is an alternative investment management firm founded in 2016 by Samuel Hwang, a 39-year-old start-up expert who established New Pathway Education in China in 2009. The firm has since been making its name among local venture capitalists after successfully joining early-stage investments into promising start-ups, such as The Pinkfong Company, Riiid and Mathpresso. Having taken on the role of the quiet helping hand for start-ups, NPX Capital is becoming more active in the market, especially in the webtoon industry. Last year, it acquired … [Read more...] about [INTERVIEW] NPX Capital is finding the funds to finance webtoon boom

Chinese troops will travel to Russia to engage in a joint military exercise, along with other countries including India, Belarus, Mongolia and Tajikistan, the Chinese defense ministry announced Wednesday. Personnel from China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA) are expected to travel to Russia to take part in the “Vostok” wargames exercise with other nations, the last of which occurred in 2018, according to Reuters. The drills are expected to run between Aug. 30 to Sept. 5 in Russia’s eastern military district, the outlet reported. China’s participation is “unrelated to the current international and regional situation,” according to the statement from the ministry released on Wednesday, Reuters noted. “The aim is to deepen practical and friendly cooperation with the armies of participating countries, enhance the level of strategic collaboration among the participating parties, and strengthen the ability to respond to various security threats.” The #Chinese PLA will send some … [Read more...] about China To Send Troops To Russia For Joint Military Exercise

Russian cargo planes began delivering missiles to Murted Air Base in Turkey Friday, despite months of attempts by the U.S. to prevent the move. The decision will require Russian engineers to help build the new system, which could open the opportunity for Russians to become familiar with U.S.-made fighters and create tension within the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), Reuters reported Friday. “Three planes were planned for today. As planned, all the aircraft arrived and all activities planned for today have been completed. This process will continue in the coming days,” Defense Minister Hulusi Akar told reporters, according to government news agency Anadolu. Russian S-400 missile defence system hardware arrives in Turkey’s Ankara pic.twitter.com/ZXlszK1qrh — TRT World (@trtworld) July 12, 2019 “We have had negotiations with China, Russia, the U.S., and France. These negotiations showed us that Russia is the most compatible country,” Akar said in reference … [Read more...] about Russia Gives Missiles To Turkey Despite Months Of US Attempts To Stop The Move