Despite the extensive research into the effects of reputation, virtually all of this research has examined the effect of one type of reputation on one or more specific outcomes. In this study we ask the question: How do the reputations of analysts, CEOs, and firms individually and jointly affect firm outcomes? To answer this question we focus on a context where reputations are particularly relevant - changes in analyst recommendations and the effect of those changes on stock market reactions. Our study makes contributions to the growing reputation literature by being one of the first studies to recognize and measure how the market accounts for multiple reputations. Further, we argue and find that the reputations of different actors interact with each other when determining particular firm outcomes. We find that different actor's reputations influence the reactions of observers.

A key finding in the literature on industry evolution and strategy is that knowledge "inherited" from the founder's previous employer can be an important source of a new firm's capabilities. We analyze the conditions under which knowledge that is useful for carrying out a key value chain activity is inherited, and explore the mechanism through which such an inheritance shapes an entrant's strategies and, in the process, influences its performance. Evidence from the early U.S. auto industry indicates that employee spinoffs generated from incumbents that had integrated a key value chain activity were also more likely to integrate that activity than other entrants, which, we suggest, reflects the application of knowledge inheritance relative to that activity. Moreover, we find that the integration of this key activity, stimulated by knowledge inheritance, contributed to the establishment of defensible strategic positioning, thereby enhancing the survival duration of inheriting spinoffs. We thus link together the phenomena of knowledge inheritance, vertical integration, and strategic positioning to explain entrant performance. These three phenomena tend to be treated disparately in the literature, rather than in combination.

"Best Places to Work" (BPTW) and similar competitions are a proliferating form of third party employment branding. Little is known, however, about how single or repeated third party employment branding occurrences relate to key human capital outcomes. Extending signaling theory by considering signal credibility and comparability, we use archival and survey data from 624 BPTW participants in sixteen competitions across a three-year period to develop and test hypotheses linking BPTW certifications to collective turnover rates and key informant perceptions of applicant pool quality. We find that certifications are associated with lower turnover rates, and in addition, propose competing crystallization and celebrity hypotheses that model turnover trajectories with repeated certifications, finding diminishing marginal turnover reductions across multiple certifications. We also examine company size and industry job opening moderators, finding that as certifications increase, applicant pool quality is (1) higher in smaller companies and (2) higher when job openings are scarcer. Finally, beyond being certified or not, we find supplemental evidence for effects of the specific certification level achieved (e.g., 2nd versus 15th). This investigation advances theory related to collective turnover, applicant pool quality, and employment branding, and is relevant to company decisions about seeking or re-seeking third party certifications.

We examine how top management team (TMT) misfit, defined as discrepancies between the TMT's functional roles and the qualifications of the managers who fill those roles, affects the evolution of TMT composition and structure in a longitudinal study of entrepreneurial ventures. We distinguish two types of misfit - overqualification and underqualification - and study how each is associated with TMT changes. We further consider the moderating effect of firm development. Results reveal that underqualified TMTs hire new managers to reinforce existing capabilities whereas overqualified TMTs elaborate their role structures. However, achieving developmental milestones (i.e., obtaining venture capital funding and staging an initial public offering) is a critical contingency to TMT change: absent these milestones, firms neither hire new managers nor add roles, even when they seemingly need to do so. These findings contribute to knowledge of how TMTs and new ventures evolve by underscoring the importance of simultaneously attending to TMT composition and structure.

We study the effects of actors' audience-specific reputations on their levels of success with different audiences in the same field. Extending recent work that has emphasized the presence of multiple audiences with different concerns, we demonstrate that considering audience specificity leads to an improved understanding of reputation effects. Using data on emerging artists in the field of contemporary art from 2001 to 2010, we investigate the manner in which artists' audience-specific reputations affect their subsequent success with two distinct audiences: museums and galleries. Our findings suggest that audience-specific reputations have systematically different effects with respect to success with museums and galleries. Our findings also illuminate the extent to which audience-specific reputations are relevant for emerging research on the contingent effects of reputation. In particular, our findings support our predictions that audiences differ from one another in terms of the extent to which other signals (specifically, status and interaction with other audiences) enhance or reduce the value of audience-specific reputations. Our study thus advances theory by providing empirical evidence for the value of incorporating audience-specific reputations into the general study of reputation.

Research about the effects of an organization's general reputation following a negative event remains equivocal: Some studies have found that a high reputation is a benefit because of the stock of social capital and goodwill it generates; others have found it to be a burden because of the greater stakeholder attention and violation of expectations associated with a negative event. We theorize that stakeholders' level of organizational identification helps explain which mechanisms are more dominant. We test our hypotheses on a sample of legislative references associated with NCAA major infractions from 1999-2009. Our results indicate that a high reputation is a burden for an organization when considering low-identification stakeholder support: As the number of legislative references increases, a high-reputation university will receive fewer donations from non-alumni donors than universities without this asset. In contrast, a high reputation is a benefit when considering high-identification stakeholder support: As the number of legislative references increases, a high-reputation university will receive more donations from alumni donors than universities without this asset. However, an exploratory investigation reveals that alumni donations to high-reputation universities decline as the number of legislative references increases, suggesting that the benefit of a high reputation has a limit.

This essay presents a comprehensive briefing on the past and present of a business educational culture that is significantly different in ethos and structure to the widely known systems in the US and UK. That is the history and culture of the French Grandes Ecoles de Commerce. A brief reminder of extant literature on the utility of business education and its seeming misalignment with the competencies and skills as specified by practitioners is then given. Key pressures and trends on and within this system - such as internationalisation, accreditation and a greater emphasis on publications are identified and discussed. These threads are then combined in a partial replication of the work of Dierdorff and Rubin (2006; 2009). Specifically, information on 1582 classes from 542 programmes at the top Grandes Ecoles de Commerce is presented alongside further secondary data and then analysed in respect of alignment with Rubin and Dierdorff's identified behavioural competencies. We argue that whilst well intentioned, the outcome of these pressures may well be that inherent and historical strengths of great value are being discarded, and that the degree of irrelevance and misalignment between educational provision and required managerial competence will stay the same or even get worse.

In this paper, we critically assess how the devolution of researcher care moderates knowledge development in organization studies. Defining researcher care as what scholars are concerned and passionate about, we consider the extent to which individuals researchers lose their personal voice in researching organizations. This bounding of care by the research community is a reflection of the way that researchers knowingly alter their care in researching organizations to gain associated career and reputational benefits. We describe how the field's institutional logic for researching organizations enables this devolution to take hold and how larger institutional forces reinforce how it progressively moderates organizational knowledge. We offer preliminary suggestions for addressing the devolution of researcher care in organization studies and ameliorating its threat to knowledge development.

This study draws on social identity theories of behavioral contagion and research concerning narratives in organizations to present and test a framework for understanding how narratives embed values in organizational newcomers' actions. Employing a field experiment using 632 newly-hired employees in a large IT firm that prioritizes self-transcendent values, this study explores how narratives varying in terms of the organizational level of main characters and the values-upholding or values-violating behaviors of those characters influence newcomers' tendencies to engage in behaviors that uphold or deviate from the values. Results indicate that stories about low-level organizational characters engaging in values-upholding behaviors are more positively associated with self-transcendent, helping behaviors and negatively associated with deviant behaviors, than are similar stories about high-level members of the organization. Stories in which high-level members of the organization violate values are negatively related to newcomers' engagement in both helping and deviance more strongly than are values-violating stories about lower-level members. Content analyses of the stories suggest that they convey values in different and potentially important ways. Implications, future directions, and limitations are discussed.

In this study, we examine the question: What do executives gain from serving on boards? We propose that board service will benefit non-CEO level executives in the executive labor market by acting as a certification mechanism and also by providing access to unique knowledge, skills, and connections. We argue that non-CEO executives who gain directorships will be more likely to be promoted to CEO both inside and outside their home firm, will be more likely to be promoted internally, and will receive higher pay from their home firms. To test our ideas, we employ propensity score matching to construct a longitudinal sample of 2,104 top executives of large, publicly traded companies in the United States over the period 1996 to 2012. Results provide consistent support for our theory.

Organizational theorists are increasingly interested in the antecedents of terminating interorganizational relationships, but have paid little attention to the disruptive consequences of such terminations on future tie formation. To redress this imbalance, the present study focuses on how venture capital (VC) firms' withdrawals from VC syndicates are associated with their subsequent syndication over the 1985 through 2008 period. We argue that withdrawals disrupt the relationships of the withdrawing VC firms with the coinvestors and reduce the likelihood of them entering into subsequent exchange (relational consequences). Furthermore, public information on the withdrawals can undermine the withdrawing VC firm's reputation for reliability, making it a less desirable exchange partner overall (global reputational consequences). Finally, we find that abandoned coinvestors can spread negative, private information about the withdrawing firm, reducing its chances of syndication with their other network contacts (local reputational consequences). We also show that the global and local reputational consequences attenuate each other, due to redundancy in the content of information each provides. We discuss the implications of our theory for the research on network dynamics and reputation.

Iperius is a complete backup utility for Windows that can be used by both home users and Company servers (without any time/license limitation). Iperius also has different paid editions available, which allow for making advanced backup types, su...

With this book, O’Regan efficiently addresses a wide range of ethical and legal issues in computing. It is well crafted, organized, and reader friendly, featuring many recent, relevant examples like tweets, fake news, disinformation

This rather difficult read introduces the programming language FSM and the programming platform DrRacket. The author asserts that it is a convenient platform to design and prove an automata-based software

The heart and the chip: our bright future with robots, by Daniela Rus and Gregory Mone, is an insightful exploration of the future of robotics and artificial intelligence (AI), focusing on how these technologies will transform every aspect of our lives. Rus, a

The study shows that artificial intelligence (AI) has become highly important in contemporary computing because of its capacity to efficiently tackle intricate jobs that were typically carried out by people. The authors provide scientific literature that analyzes and

Dylan Thomas, 24, admits the manslaughter of William Bush on Christmas Eve but denies murder.

Wales scrum-half Tomos Williams is ruled out of the Autumn Nations Series match against Australia on Sunday.

A penalty awarded to West Ham during Erik ten Hag's final match in charge of Man Utd was a 'misread', according to refereeing boss Howard Webb.

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Federal District Judge Stephen P. McGlynn has ordered a permanent injunction against enforcement of the Illinois "assault weapon" and magazine ban on November 8, 2024. The order will probably be appealed to the Seventh Circuit.

SAMSUNG MALAYSIA ELECTRONICS recently announced a new initiative – “A Rising Star” – to inspire and unite Malaysian youth, our rising stars, through a memorable one-of-a-kind experience. As a global leader in mobile technologies, A Rising Star demonstrates Samsung Malaysia’s commitment to enhancing the local art and music industry by providing an avenue for today’s youth to truly enjoy art and music – leveraging the unique features of the Galaxy A32, Galaxy A52 and Galaxy A72.

Arts and music, in particular, is at the core of youth culture and plays an important role in advancing their socialisation and creative self-expression. Not only does this campaign aim to bring together young people in Malaysia through their shared passion and appreciation for local art and music, it also draws forth youth’s potential and unite people from all walks of life.

“Youth today are influencing trends we are seeing in culture and those trends are ideated, inspired and created with their smartphones. Their drive to create never stops and Samsung’s innovative technologies are the perfect companion for young people in Malaysia and around the world, encouraging them to channel their creativity and pursue their passions and dreams,” said Elaine Soh, Chief Marketing Officer of Samsung Malaysia Electronics.

Through this initiative, Samsung will mobilise a range of activities that will happen in efforts to allow youths to capture and experience exceptional moments.

Encouraging local music with Universal Music Malaysia

Universal Music Malaysia and Samsung are ecstatic to announce the launch of a music video (MV) by an up-and-coming local artist – Raya-themed MV titled Raya Raya Raya by Malaysian heartthrob girl group DOLLA.

Raya Raya Raya MV touches on the contrast of traditional and modern styles celebrating Hari Raya Aidilfitri where the rapid technology innovations of today have shaped how the important day is celebrated, especially the significance of social media tools and platforms in influencing interactions between family and friends. With that spirit in mind, Samsung also launched a DOLLA TikTok Challenge – to participate, simply dance to DOLLA’s new Raya song and stand a chance to win total of nine units of the brand new Galaxy A32 Samsung is giving away!

Additionally, Samsung and Universal Music will also be working together on activations that will empower youth in achieving their dreams in the music industry, one involving another rising local artistes, Jeii Pong and Gaston Pong, also known as “PongPong”.

KL City takeover powered by Samsung Galaxy A

As part of Samsung’s effort to brighten up the city, Samsung partnered with talented mural artists to, quite literally, paint the town.

Several iconic buildings across KL City have gone through a massively fun makeover. Murals painted on buildings such as the REX KL building in Chinatown no longer sport old and dull grey paint. It is now covered in bright murals featuring fun characters and colors that accurately represent the culture of Malaysia from renowned artist, Orkibal. As for the magical transformation of Drop Inn Lodge at Jalan Tun HS Lee, it is the brainchild of an outstanding graffiti whiz, Lowkey.

Another iconic architecture, the Zhongshan Art Building will also go through the same beautification by well-known mural artist, Bono Stellar and is scheduled to be completed by end of May 2021.

CARLSBERG MALAYSIA unveils limited-edition CHEERS TO FOOTBALL packaging in its third CELEBRATE theme series, tribute to football fans who bring the sport to life with passion and soul!

For a limited time only, Carlsberg Danish Pilsner and Carlsberg Smooth Draught cans and bottles comes in collectible football-themed packaging coined “By Appointment To The Football Fans of Malaysia”. The campaign pays homage to Carlsberg’s longstanding support of football and appreciation towards football fans as they put their club allegiances aside, uniting to be the biggest football family in the world!

In addition to its CHEERS TO FOOTBALL packaging to laud passionate football fans of Malaysia, Carlsberg will be rewarding consumers with limited-edition Carlsberg football jerseys, football tees, RM200 Touch ‘n Go eWallet credit; including a chance to take home the

Grand Prize of RM10,000 cash to 30 lucky winners! Enjoy football matches at home over a cold beer and check out Carlsberg’s ongoing promotion running from June onwards at participating retailers.

Caroline Moreau, Marketing Director of Carlsberg Malaysia said: “The football sport brings families, friends, colleagues and communities together as they cheer for their teams. Carlsberg focuses in bringing unique experiences to beer lovers and fans alike while watching the game with their mates together or apart. Carlsberg has been supporting football fans across the globe to celebrate the unity and passion that brings us together, the same over the love for great beers.”

“In our pursuit of better to lift their spirits during these challenging times, Carlsberg launches its CHEERS TO FOOTBALL packaging series to celebrate dedicated football fans for their unwavering passion for the sport while apart. Our limited-edition Carlsberg tees were curated

with the thought of keeping the excitement and frenzy for football where they can continue to cheer for their favourite teams. We want to encourage their celebratory football moments at home whilst sombre, yet imbue excitement with our limited-edition series and exclusive merchandise,” she added.

CLOSE to one million youths have successfully claimed their eBelia credit via ShopeePay. As of June 7, the programme has succeeded in generating sales amounting to 120% of the total amount disbursed by the Ministry of Finance (MOF) through ShopeePay. Additionally, some 140,000 sellers and traders that accept ShopeePay have already benefited from the eBelia programme.

Head of ShopeePay Malaysia Alain Yee said: ”As one of the newest mobile wallets to enter a crowded space, it is indeed humbling to receive the resounding support from eligible eBelia participants. When compared against MOF’s announcement, the bulk of the 1.7 million successful applicants have chosen ShopeePay. This is possibly because our e-wallet can be used both online and offline nationwide, with a reach as far and wide as Semporna, Sabah; Miri, Sarawak; Kemaman and Gong Badak in Terengganu and Bachok, Kelantan.”

Yee added that based on the preliminary data from June 1 till 7, user behaviour amongst eBelia recipients suggest that the programme has driven adoption of e-wallets and is likely going to lead to long term usage.

“Of the total successful eBelia applicants via our mobile wallet, about 40% are new ShopeePay users that activated their e-wallet just for eBelia. Additionally, we are positive that customer retention rate amongst these new users will be high as over 20% have already topped up their e-wallet at least once within the first week of using ShopeePay,” he explained.

On what the recipients have been spending on, Yee shared that many were seen to be using the eBelia credit on very practical purchases: daily necessities, food and beverages, books, as well as home and living items, among others. A closer look into the spending pattern of these eBelia youths for the past week reveals the following (Observations are made based on top 100 merchants by transactions recorded offline, online (merchants’ webstores and Apps), and on Shopee.

WITH working from home being the new norm, the hours tend to blur and we often find ourselves looking for a pick-me-up to get through the day.

Now, working responsibly while enjoying a cold one is made possible with Heineken 0.0 – a beer minus the guilt and the alcohol.

In line with the brand’s advocacy of responsible consumption, Heineken is giving away 10,000 Heineken 0.0 four-can packs to refresh your next long day of work.

To kick-start a “work smart, drink smart” routine, simply sign up at www.heineken00drinksmart.com.

As you drag the Heineken 0.0 can into the calendar within the site, a redemption form will pop up and a free four-can Heineken pack 0.0 will be making its way to your doorstep.

“Our days are often filled with back-to-back meetings and long checklists to complete,” said Heineken Malaysia Bhd marketing director Pablo Chabot.

“There are times we cannot even pause to take a break.

“We hear you, hence we are giving away 10,000 free four-can packs of Heineken 0.0 for you to enjoy while you work.

“Gone are the days where you cannot have a beer while working, when you can now work smart and drink smart with Heineken 0.0,” he added.

The free four-can packs are available on a first come, first served basis and subject to eligibility.

Only one redemption per person is allowed, while stocks last.

Those who miss out on this giveaway can purchase the packs via the Drinkies app (available on both iOS and Android) or www.drinkies.my.

For more information, visit www.heineken00drinksmart.com.

(Heineken 0.0 and all promotions and giveaways are for non-Muslims aged 21 and above only.)

MY state, Johor, is seeing a big rise in data centres. Many well-known companies from the United States, China and Singapore are choosing to set up their facilities here.

As a Johorean, I am proud to see the state becoming a bigger part of the digital economy. This did not happen by accident. Thanks to the efforts by leaders like Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, who understands our local needs, Johor and Malaysia are becoming a key part of the digital economy.

This growth is bringing more businesses, improving infrastructure and offering new job opportunities, with benefits that can reach places like Segamat and Jementah too. Based on feedback from my constituents, they are excited with these developments.

Big gains, big potential

This is because data centres clearly bring benefits to Johor and the country. They are boosting our economy with big investments, which reached RM31 billion last year, funding new facilities, improving infrastructure.

The Investment, Trade and Industry Ministry, including its Deputy Minister Liew Chin Tong, who is also Iskandar Puteri MP, has played a key role in bringing in these investments to Johor.

These projects do not just benefit greater Johor Bahru; smaller towns like Segamat and Jementah have also seen gains through improved infrastructure, new business opportunities and enhanced social benefits.

When big companies such as Microsoft and others start major projects in Johor, it helps put our state and the nation on the map as a global tech hub. This can attract more savvy investments and businesses in the future, creating more growth that reaches different parts of the state.

Challenges to consider

However, we cannot ignore the downsides. Data centres consume a lot of energy and water, potentially straining our resources, especially since Johor has faced water shortages before. We need to grow in a way that does not harm the environment or local communities.

We must also balance land use carefully. Data centres take up a lot of space, and over-allocating land to them could limit growth in other sectors like agriculture or housing. It may also result in lower revenue and fewer job opportunities compared to if the land had been used for other economic activities.

As we know, data centres do not create as many jobs as we hope. Once they are built, they usually do not require too many staff on site.

We need to make sure that these centres generate as many good-paying jobs for the locals, whether directly or otherwise.

Mitigating drawbacks

To make sure this data centre boom benefits the people in the long-run, the government needs to take action. I am gratified to learn that the Finance Ministry and Investment, Trade and Industry Ministry are coming up with plans to make sure data centre investments bring long-term benefits.

The Finance Ministry has suggested the introduction of a “scorecard” to push companies to create good jobs, support local businesses and prioritise sustainability.

The Investment, Trade and Industry Ministry’s guidelines for energy and water use are another positive step toward our zero-carbon goal for 2050.

Programmes like the Corporate Renewable Energy Supply Scheme will help data centres use more renewable energy, making operations cheaper in the long run. These are all good efforts.

Learning from our neighbour

As we move forward, we can look to Singapore’s experience with data centres, as our neighbour has had a head start in the sector.

It has leveraged technology transfer to build a strong, knowledge-based workforce, boosting its digital economy. By setting robust environmental standards, such as energy and water usage guidelines, Singapore has also pushed for greener practices in the industry.

Our current data centre boom should be a reminder for us to keep investing in our people and infrastructure for long-term growth.

We need to equip our youth with skills in cloud computing, cybersecurity and artificial intelligence, and upgrade infrastructure like high-speed internet and reliable power supply. This will lay the foundation for lasting success.

For now, let us embrace this boom in data centre opportunities, but stay aware of the challenges. With careful planning, we can make Malaysia and Johor a tech hub that benefits everyone, and build a better future for our children.

Ng Kor Sim

State Assemblywoman for Jementah

Johor

MALAYSIA, like many Southeast Asian countries, faces the challenge of balancing sustainability, reliability and affordability in its energy goals. Is the country ready for renewables?

The country has set ambitious targets: net-zero emissions by 2050 and increasing the share of renewable energy in its power mix. These goals are impressive and align with the global push towards sustainable energy. However, achieving them requires more than ambition. We need strategic planning, significant investment and innovative technologies.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s visit to Berlin in March was not just ceremonial; it highlighted the importance of international collaboration and technology transfer in supporting Malaysia’s renewable energy goals. Global partnerships are essential for advancing the nation’s energy future.

Malaysia’s Renewable Energy Roadmap aims for 31% of the country’s power capacity to come from renewable sources by 2025 and for carbon emissions to be reduced by 45% by 2030. As of 2022, renewable energy capacity has grown to over 9,000 megawatts – a 50% increase since 2013.

However, renewable sources only produced 3.1 terawatt-hours of electricity, compared with 77.3 terawatt-hours from coal. Clearly, there is room for growth.

Imagine a seamless flow of electrons from renewable sources such as solar and wind into the national grid. These sources are often in remote areas, far from the high-demand city centres. The challenge is transporting this energy efficiently and ensuring a stable supply despite the variable nature of renewables.

Intermittency, the fluctuation in energy production from sources like solar and wind, can cause instability in the power grid, which traditionally relies on consistent output from fossil fuels. If the grid is not ready to handle these fluctuations, it could lead to blackouts or energy shortages.

To avoid stranding existing assets, Malaysia can repurpose peaker plants or retired thermal power plants using the Rotating Grid Stabiliser solution. This cost-effective solution ensures a reliable energy supply during the transition.

Stabilising voltage and frequency with synchronous condensers enhances the grid’s reliability, making it easier to integrate renewable energy. This approach supports the grid and maximises existing infrastructure, making the transition more practical and economically viable.

As mentioned, some sources of energy are far from high-demand city centres. This is not just a challenge for Malaysia but for the entire Southeast Asia. Efficient energy transport would ensure secure energy for Malaysia and nearby countries, making the region more resilient.

The Asean Grid ambition aims to create an interconnected electricity system among member states. By developing this integrated network, we can enhance energy security, promote renewable energy use and ensure a more reliable power supply across borders.

Long-distance power transmission requires a strong grid infrastructure. High-Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) technology can efficiently transmit large amounts of power over long distances with minimal energy loss.

Think of HVDC as a superhighway for electricity. This technology will allow Malaysia to export surplus renewable energy to neighbouring countries like Singapore, fostering regional cooperation and energy security.

Modernising the grid with HVDC will enhance Malaysia’s energy system, allowing it to accommodate more renewable energy and reduce environmental impact. This interconnected grid will support Malaysia’s renewable energy goals and set a precedent for sustainable development in the region.

However, these goals come with challenges. The energy sector is still developing and needs substantial investments – up to US$10.8 billion (RM47.33 billion) for solar PV alone. There is also a lack of awareness about the financial returns on these investments, which can hinder progress.

Public-private partnerships, supported by a strong regulatory framework, can help overcome these obstacles. Key actions include improving the financing landscape, reducing project approval times and ensuring policy transparency.

We recognise the complexities of this transition. With every step, we can make progress.

Malaysia’s journey will involve expanding renewable energy use, transforming conventional power, strengthening electrical grids, securing the supply chain and driving industrial decarbonisation. Each action contributes to a greener Malaysia.

Thorbjorn Fors is the group senior
vice president and managing director of
Asia Pacific Siemens Energy.
Comments: letters@thesundaily.com

BEIRUT: The Israeli military carried out at least five airstrikes on the Hezbollah-controlled southern suburbs of Beirut on Tuesday, after Israel’s defence minister ruled out any ceasefire in Lebanon until Israel’s goals had been met.

Smoke rose over Beirut as blasts shook the capital around mid-morning. The explosions followed an Israeli military warning posted on social media identifying 12 sites in the southern suburbs and saying it would take action against them soon. It warned residents they were located near Hezbollah facilities.

There were no immediate reports of casualties from the latest strikes. Residents have largely fled the southern suburbs since Israel began bombing the area in September.

In Israel, air raid sirens sounded in parts of the north, sending residents running for shelter, and the military said a number of “suspicious aerial targets” were launched from Lebanon. There were no reports of injuries.

Ignited by the Gaza war, the conflict at the Lebanese-Israeli border had been rumbling on for a year before Israel went on the offensive in September, pounding wide areas of Lebanon with airstrikes and sending troops into the south.

Israel has dealt heavy blows to Hezbollah over the last seven weeks, killing many of its top leaders including Hassan Nasrallah, flattening parts of Beirut’s southern suburbs, and causing vast destruction in border villages in south Lebanon.

Meeting with Israel’s general staff for the first time, Israel’s newly appointed Defence Minister Israel Katz said on Monday there would be no ceasefire in Lebanon until Israel achieves its goals.

“Israel will not agree to any arrangement that does not guarantee Israel’s right to enforce and prevent terrorism on its own, and meet the goals of the war in Lebanon - disarming Hezbollah and its withdrawal beyond the Litani River and returning the residents of the north safely to their homes.”

Israel’s foreign minister Gideon Saar had said earlier on Monday there had been “a certain progress” in ceasefire talks, whilst adding the war against Hezbollah was not yet over.

The main challenge facing any ceasefire deal would be enforcement, he said.

Hezbollah has said it is ready for a long war against Israel and has kept up rocket fire.

SOUTH OF THE LITANI

The Lebanese government, which includes Hezbollah, has repeatedly called for a ceasefire based on the full implementation of a U.N. Resolution that ended a war between the group and Israel in 2006.

The resolution calls for the area south of the Litani to be free of all weapons other than those of the Lebanese state. Lebanon and Israel have accused each other of violating the resolution.

Israel’s offensive has driven more than 1 million people from their homes in Lebanon in the last seven weeks. Since hostilities erupted a year ago, Israeli attacks on Lebanon have killed 3,243 people and injured 14,134, the Lebanese health ministry said. Its figures do not distinguish between civilians and combatants.

Hezbollah attacks have killed roughly 100 civilians and soldiers in northern Israel, the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights, and southern Lebanon over the last year.

MADRID: Schools in flood-hit towns in eastern Spain will be closed on Wednesday as the region braces for more torrential rains, officials said.

National weather office AEMET on Tuesday placed parts of Valencia as well as Catalonia in the northeast and Andalusia in the south and the Balearic Islands on orange alert -- the second highest level -- for strong or torrential rains until Thursday.

The alert comes two weeks after an exceptional Mediterranean storm caused Spain's deadliest floods in decades.

The October 29 storm killed 223 people, the bulk of them in the Valencia region, according to the latest official tally.

Dozens of town halls in Valencia, including Chiva, one of the worst-hit sites, suspended classes and closed public gyms because of the threats of more heavy rain.

“In response to the information provided by the emergency services, school and sports activities will be SUSPENDED from tomorrow until further notice,“ Chiva town hall wrote on X.

A military vehicle drove through towns in Valencia using a megaphone to warn of the expected storms and urge people not to make “unnecessary trips,“ images broadcast on Spanish public television TVE showed,

While the amount of rain that is forecast to fall in Valencia is less than what fell two weeks ago, local officials warned sewage systems are clogged with mud and could struggle to cope with significant precipitation making more flooding possible.

Outrage at the authorities for their perceived mismanagement before and after the floods triggered mass protests on Saturday, the largest in Valencia city which drew 130,000 people.

Classes were also suspended on Wednesday in parts of southern Catalonia as well as some towns and cities in Andalusia, inclusing Malaga.

NEW DELHI: A toxic haze enveloped India’s national capital on Wednesday morning as temperatures dropped and pollution surged, reducing visibility in some parts and prompting a warning from airport authorities that flights may be affected.

Delhi overtook Pakistan’s Lahore as the world’s most polluted city in Swiss group IQAir’s live rankings, with an air quality index (AQI) score of more than 1,000, considered “hazardous”, but India’s pollution authority said the AQI was around 350.

Officials were not immediately available to explain the variation.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) said the pollution had reduced visibility to 100 metres (328 feet) in some places by around 8 a.m. (0230 GMT).

“Low visibility procedures” were initiated at the city’s Indira Gandhi International Airport, operator Delhi International Airport Limited said in a post on social media platform X.

“While landing and takeoffs continue at Delhi Airport, flights that are not CAT III compliant may get affected,“ the authority said.

CAT III is a navigation system that enables aircraft to land even when visibility is low.

The IMD said the city’s temperature dropped to 17 degrees Celsius (63 degrees Fahrenheit) on Wednesday morning from 17.9C on Tuesday, and may fall further as sunlight remains cut off due to the smog.

Delhi battles severe pollution every winter as cold, heavy air traps dust, emissions, and smoke from farm fires set off illegally in the adjoining, farming states of Punjab and Haryana.

Previously, authorities have closed schools, placed restrictions on private vehicles, and stopped some building work to curb the problem.

The city’s environment minister said last week that the government was keen to use artificial rain to cut the smog.

Pakistan’s Punjab province, which shares a border with India, has also banned outdoor activities, closed schools, and ordered shops, markets and malls to close early in some parts in an effort to protect its citizens from the toxic air.

MANILA: Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte said the International Criminal Court (ICC) should ‘hurry up’ with its probe of his war on drugs, remaining firm in his defence of the brutal campaign as he said the investigation should start immediately.

“I’m asking the ICC to hurry up, and if possible, they can come here and start the investigation tomorrow,“ Duterte said in a congressional inquiry on his war on drugs.

“If I am found guilty, I will go to prison.”

According to police data, more than 6,200 people died in anti-drug operations under Duterte’s presidency, during which police typically said they had killed suspects in self-defence.

Human rights groups believe the real toll to be far greater, with thousands more users and small-time peddlers killed in mysterious circumstances by unknown assailants.

“I assume full responsibility for whatever happened in the actions taken by law enforcement agencies of this country to... stop the serious problem of drugs affecting our people,“ Duterte said.

The ICC last year cleared the way for an investigation to into the thousands of deaths and other suspected rights abuses.

The Philippines withdrew from the ICC in March 2019, when Duterte was president. Appeals judges at the ICC subsequently ruled prosecutors still had jurisdiction over the alleged crimes because they occurred when the Philippines was an ICC member.

PUTRAJAYA: Active collaboration from industry players is needed for the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institution to offer programmes that are of a higher quality and more relevant to market needs.

Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof said strong cooperation between the industry players and the TVET institution was crucial to ensure the comprehensive matching of demand and supply.

He said consistent input from the industry players on the workforce skills and needs was also needed by the TVET institution to develop suitable curricula and programmes.

“Forging close cooperation with industry players can create a new skilled workforce to master the latest technology, which will have a spillover effect on encouraging economic growth.

“I call for the active involvement of industry players in Malaysia to collaborate with the government in supporting the agenda to empower TVET,” he said at the 2024 Prime Minister’s Gold Hand Award and Skilled Person Award ceremony here today.

Meanwhile, Fadillah said the government is aware that the TVET stream in Malaysia needs to be improved for it to be more systematic and effective.

He said the organisation of skills competitions was one of the government’s efforts to promote and ensure the quality of delivery of TVET training in Malaysia is in line with international standards.

“I call on all TVET agencies to hold skills competitions at institutional levels so that we can pick the best talent for national and international-level competitions,” he said.

In his speech, Fadillah also thanked and congratulated the national contingent which made sure the Jalur Gemilang was hoisted proudly at the WorldSkills Competition Lyon 2024 at the Euroexpo Lyon in France from Sept 10-15.

In the competition, Malaysia, represented by 15 participants across 14 categories, captured five medals - one bronze medal in the Beauty Therapy category through Wong Hsun Wei and four Medallion for Excellence.

The four Medallion for Excellence recipients were Muhammad Nasran Ahmad in the Hairdressing category; Ahmad Muizuddin Mohd Razi in the Bricklaying category; Muhammad Hakimi Abu Bakar in Electrical Installations; and Stephen Sim Shan Siong in the IT Software Solutions for Business category.

KUALA LUMPUR: The late Tun Daim Zainuddin made numerous contributions to the country, especially during the financial crisis in the 1980s, Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil said.

He said as Finance Minister at the time, Daim successfully steered Malaysia back onto a stable economic path.

“At that time, I was still young and unaware of politics, but we cannot deny that during the 1980s and the ‘Asian Financial Crisis’, the late Daim, as Finance Minister, played a vital role in helping the government and his efforts contributed to Malaysia’s recovery,” he said after performing the funeral prayers for Daim at the Federal Territory Mosque here today.

Daim served as Finance Minister from 1984 to 1991, and again from 1999 to 2001.

Fahmi, who is also Lembah Pantai MP, expressed his gratitude to Daim, recalling how he had come forward to offer support during his campaign in the 14th General Election in 2018.

Meanwhile, former Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob expressed his condolences to Daim’s family, acknowledging the loss of a significant figure who had made numerous contributions to the country.

“The loss is not only felt by his family and friends but by the nation. We pray that his soul is blessed and placed among the righteous,” said the Bera MP.

Earlier, the vehicle carrying Daim’s remains arrived at the Federal Territory Mosque at 3.43 pm for the funeral prayers before being taken to the Raudhatul Sakinah Cemetery at Bukit Kiara 1 at 4.48 pm for burial.

Also present were former Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, Opposition Leader and Larut MP Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainuddin and former Kedah Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mukhriz Mahathir.

Daim, whose full name is Che Abdul Daim Zainuddin, 86, passed away at 8.21 am today at Assunta Hospital in Petaling Jaya, where he was receiving treatment.

Published on behalf of SAP Concur. Are companies relieved of their duty to care for the wellbeing of their employees during this lockdown period? Angelique Montalto, Regional Sales Director at SAP Concur, clarified the situation: “Organisations owe it to their employees...

KUALA LUMPUR: AutoCount Dotcom Bhd (ADB), via its wholly-owned subsidiary Auto Count Sdn Bhd (ACSB), partnered with IAB LCCI Ltd, a collaboration formed following the Institute of Accountants and Bookkeepers’ (IAB) acquisition of the London Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) qualifications.

This agreement sets the stage for Asia’s first Cloud Accounting Certification Program, which will equip finance professionals with essential skills for the digital era.

The program will be launched on January 1, 2025, marking a significant step forward in modernising the region’s accounting landscape.

Under this collaboration, ADB will design the certification curriculum around its AutoCount Cloud Accounting software.

The syllabus will be submitted to IAB LCCI for accreditation.

IAB LCCI is regulated by the UK’s Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation (Ofqual), enhancing the certification’s credibility and alignment with global standards.

With LCCI’s extensive reach across Asia, the certification will be accessible through its network of educational centres and partner institutions, providing aspiring accountants with in-demand cloud accounting expertise.

ADB CEO Yan Tiee Choo said this collaboration with IAB LCCI allows the company to empower the next generation of accountants across Asia.

“Our goal is to provide a practical and accessible path to certification in cloud accounting, supporting not only recent SPM (Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia) graduates but also those seeking to upskill in a fast-changing industry.

“Together, we are paving the way for a more adaptable, technology-driven accounting workforce across the region,“ he said.

Bursa Malaysia-listed ADB is a leading provider of accounting and business software solutions.

IAB Group and IAB LCCI CEO Sarah Palmer said LCCI has been a leader in offering globally recognised qualifications for over 120 years.

“Our partnership with ADB reflects our shared commitment to advancing the accounting profession by equipping future finance professionals with relevant, high-quality skills.

“By collaborating with ADB, a pioneer in cloud accounting solutions, we ensure that this certification meets the industry’s evolving needs and helps individuals succeed in a digital-first finance sector,“ she said.

The certification offers a clear advantage for students and professionals looking to expand their accounting capabilities.

By learning on ADB’s cloud platform, candidates will gain hands-on experience in digital accounting practices, preparing them for careers in an increasingly automated finance landscape.

With the signing of this agreement, ADB solidifies its position as a leader in cloud accounting solutions and furthers its commitment to innovation in financial technology and education.

This partnership aligns with ADB’s vision to become Asia’s top business software provider, fostering a future-ready workforce and advancing the region’s digital transformation.

KUCHING: Ibraco Bhd’s wholly-owned subsidiary, Ibraco Ascent Sdn Bhd, completed its first delivery of mild steel cement-lined (MSCL) pipes from its new manufacturing plant at Demak Laut Industrial Park Phase III.

The inaugural delivery of MSCL pipes will be used to develop the water infrastructure within the Kuching Urban Transportation System (KUTS) project.

MSCL pipes are usually used for water developments due to their resilience and reliability in corrosive conditions.

The completion of this first delivery marks the full operational readiness of Ibraco Ascent’s pipe manufacturing plant to cater to the expansion of water infrastructure in Sarawak.

Ibraco Ascent’s pipe manufacturing plant was set up to facilitate Sarawak’s Water Supply Master Plan.

The plan is designed to meet the state’s growing water infrastructure needs and focus on achieving 100% water supply coverage across Sarawak.

The Sarawak Water Supply Master Plan has outlined the development of Sarawak’s water supply for the periods until 2025, 2040, and 2070, incorporating three strategic cores: water demand, water treatment and distribution, and water quality and sufficiency for both raw and treated water.

In addition to helping meet Sarawak’s strategic water needs, Ibraco Ascent’s pipe manufacturing plant is also sustainability-oriented in tandem with the Ibraco Group’s commitment to embrace ESG across its operations and generate tangible value creation for all its stakeholders.

Currently employing 35 local staff, Ibraco Ascent plans to expand its workforce to over 60 employees by 2025, broadening its production to include pipe fittings such as bends, tees and reducers.

This growth reflects the company’s commitment to community development and local employment.

Ibraco Ascent’s manufacturing plant is also equipped with advanced technologies, including automated welding systems, hydrostatic pressure testing, and bitumen coating stations, ensuring each pipe is built to last.

The company adheres to rigorous quality control measures, employing ultrasonic thickness gauges, hydrostatic testing equipment, and radiographic testing to maintain high production standards.

PETALING JAYA: The latest AHK World Business Outlook Fall 2024 Survey conducted among German companies in Malaysia reveals an optimistic forecast for 2025, with positive sentiment about both current conditions and prospects.

The survey highlights key insights reflecting the resilience and growth expectations of German businesses operating in Malaysia.

When asked to assess the current performance of their company, 92% of German businesses in Malaysia report conditions as “good or satisfactory”, which marks a significant increase of 10% compared to the same period last year.

Strong economic development and confidence among German businesses in Malaysia are expected to continue into next year, with 97% of respondents describing the outlook for 2025 as “favourable or stable”.

While Malaysia has always been recognised for its strong economic foundation, this year’s survey results demonstrate a significant boost in confidence, surpassing expectations from last year’s outlook and highlighting the continued resilience of Malaysia’s economy.

Reflecting this confidence, more than 63% of companies expect positive business development over the next 12 months, while 35% anticipate the current stability will be maintained. Only 1.8% predict a decline in performance, showcasing a predominantly positive outlook for the year ahead.

Additionally, four in 10 companies intend to increase investments in the coming year, suggesting a commitment to further growth within the business community.

Employment plans also appear to be promising, with almost half of the German companies in Malaysia indicating plans to ramp up hiring. An equal percentage (47%) intend to retain their current workforce, emphasising a dual approach to growth and stability in human resources.

While the survey paints a generally encouraging outlook for businesses in Malaysia, respondents identified several challenges that could potentially impact their economic development in the coming years.

Survey participants view demand, economic policy conditions, and lack of skilled workers as potential challenges. These insights underscore the need for ongoing vigilance and strategic planning as companies navigate both opportunities and uncertainties in a highly competitive and volatile global market.

Overall, the findings of the survey illustrate a strong confidence among companies in Malaysia, highlighting a positive trajectory for business development and economic growth in the coming year.

Malaysian-German Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MGCC) executive director Jan Noether said, “The results of the AHK World Business Outlook Fall 2024 Survey align perfectly with our expectations for the future of German business in Malaysia. The strong sentiment and optimism reflected in the survey highlight the positive situation we are experiencing here and underscore our confidence in Malaysia’s economic stability and growth prospects. German companies are comfortable and committed to the Malaysian market, with a clear outlook for continued success and expansion in the year ahead. Moreover, Malaysia’s stable economic environment and supportive policies play a key role in stimulating further investment, reinforcing our belief in the country as a reliable and attractive hub for business growth.”

In Malaysia, the survey was conducted between Sept 23 and Oct 16, with 111 respondents from MGCC member companies, comprising mostly German companies with branches or subsidiaries in Malaysia, primarily from the manufacturing, trade, and services sectors.

The survey is part of the broader AHK World Business Outlook, a biannual global research initiative conducted by the German Chamber of Commerce and Industry. It surveys member companies from the network of German chambers of commerce abroad (AHK), which represent more than 40,000 companies in 93 countries.

PETALING JAYA: The Cisco 2024 AI Readiness Index revealed that only 14% of organisations in Malaysia are fully prepared to deploy and leverage artificial intelligence-powered technologies, up slightly from 13% a year ago.

This underscores the challenges companies face in adopting, deploying, and fully leveraging AI. Given the rapid market evolution and the significant impact AI is anticipated to have on business operations, this readiness gap is especially critical.

The Index is based on a double-blind survey of 3,660 senior business leaders from organisations with 500 or more employees across 14 markets in Asia-Pacific, Japan, and China (APJC). These leaders are responsible for AI integration and deployment within their organisations. The AI readiness index is measured across six pillars – strategy, infrastructure, data, governance, talent, and culture.

AI has become a cornerstone for business strategy, and there is increasing urgency among companies to adopt and deploy AI technologies. In Malaysia, 98% of companies report an increased urgency to deploy AI in the past year, driven primarily by the CEO and leadership team. Additionally, companies are committing a significant amount of resources towards AI, with 55% reporting that as much as 10% to 30% of their information technology (IT) budget is being allocated to AI deployment.

Despite significant AI investments in strategic areas such as cybersecurity, IT infrastructure, and data analytics and management, many companies report that returns on these investments are not meeting their expectations.

“As companies accelerate their AI journeys, it’s critical they adopt a comprehensive approach to implementation and connect the dots to link AI ambition with readiness,” said Cisco Malaysia managing director Hana Raja.

“This year's AI Readiness Index reveals that to fully leverage the potential of AI, companies need a modern digital infrastructure capable of meeting evolving power needs and network latency requirements from growing AI workloads. This must be supported with the right visibility to achieve their business objectives.”

Anupam Trehan, vice-president, people and communities APJC, at Cisco, said: “As the race to adopt AI picks up pace, talent will be a key differentiator for companies. There is already a shortage of skilled talent across various aspects of AI. This means companies will need to invest in their existing talent pool to meet the growing demand. At the same time, it is crucial that all stakeholders – the private and public sectors, educational institutions, and governments – work together to develop local talent so that the entire ecosystem can benefit from the immense potential that AI offers.”

KUALA LUMPUR: Sabah-based beverage manufacturer Life Water Bhd’s new manufacturing plant in Keningau, set to begin operations by December, is projected to increase the company’s annual production capacity to 448 million litres of drinking water, with plans to double this output by 2027.

Managing director Liaw Hen Kong said, in addition, the Kota Kinabalu Industrial Zone 8 Plant 2, planned for completion in 2027, will support the company’s transition to more advanced manufacturing processes, including relocating existing lines and expanding plastic packaging capabilities.

“These investments and expansion reflect our confidence in the market and our ambition to meet future demand. We are not just expanding capacity. We are laying the foundation for a sustainable future by integrating advanced warehousing systems and leveraging modern technologies.

“Beyond manufacturing, we are also exploring new market opportunities in Sarawak and Brunei. Our goal is to replicate our success in Sabah by bringing the same commitment to quality and customer service to new markets,” he said at Life Water’s listing on Bursa Malaysia’s Main Market today.

He said Life Water has strong logistics and distribution capabilities, with a fleet of 75 trucks, ensuring that beverages are delivered efficiently to over 3,250 retail outlets, 520 food service outlets, 150 wholesalers and 100 hotels across Sabah.

“Additionally, with distribution centres in Sandakan, Lahad Datu, Kota Kinabalu and soon in Tawau, we are well-positioned to expand our reach and serve our growing customer base.

“This strategic network supports our goal of making our products accessible to consumers everywhere,” he said.

Liaw said over the past three years, Life Water achieved a compounded annual growth rate of 17.2%, with total revenue rising from RM103.5 million in 2021 to RM166.5 million in 2024.

Similarly, Life Water’s customer base grew from 2,815 to 3,460 customers, highlighting the steady expansion of the company’s footprint in the region.

Liaw said the implementation of the sugar tax announced in Budget 2025 will not affect the carbonated beverages manufactured by Life Water.

He explained that the sugar content in Life Water’s carbonated drinks is below 5g per 100 millilitres (ml). “Our recipe (for the carbonated drinks) is below the threshold of 5g per 100 ml. So we are not affected by the sugar tax.”

Life Water opened at 77 sen in its market debut, a 12 sen or 18.5% premium from the initial public offering price (IPO) of 65 sen. It closed at 94 sen, 29 sen or 44.6% above the IPO price on volume of 233.4 million shares.

The company raised RM63.42 million through a public issuance of 97.56 million new ordinary shares, priced at RM0.65 each.

From the total proceeds, Life Water has allocated 30.0% or RM19 million to set-up an additional drinking water production line at its Sandakan Sibuga Plant 1, 18.9% or RM12.0 million for purchasing a new drinking water manufacturing line at Sandakan Sibuga Plant 2, and 19.9% or RM12.6 million will go toward setting up a second distribution centre in Sandakan.

Furthermore, 15.2% or RM9.6 million is designated for expanding the existing plastic packaging facilities in Kota Kinabalu.

The remaining proceeds of 6.6% and 9.5% or RM4.2 million and RM6 million, respectively, are allocated for working capital and to defray listing expenses.

Holding an 11% share of Malaysia’s bottled water market, the company is also putting focus on automating key manufacturing processes to boost efficiency, reduce wastage, and ensure quality consistency.

The company’s shares are classified as syariah-compliant by the Shariah Advisory Council of the Securities Commission Malaysia.

The company’s public issue portion, made available to the Malaysian public via balloting, was oversubscribed by 32.2 times.

MIDF Amanah Investment Bank Bhd is the principal adviser, underwriter and placement agent for Life Water Bhd’s IPO exercise.

Volkswagen Group is seeking significant cost reductions as it faces declining demand, rising expenses, and mounting competition. The automaker has proposed a 10 per cent wage reduction for its union employees after IG Metall, the union representing Volkswagen’s workforce, requested a seven per cent raise. This wage cut comes as part of broader measures Volkswagen is considering to address financial difficulties, which include restructuring bonuses and possibly eliminating anniversary and monthly bonuses.

Despite these proposed changes, Volkswagen’s CEO Thomas Schafer has not ruled out more drastic options, such as plant closures, if cost-cutting goals are not met through negotiations. “Successful operations are a prerequisite for job security,” said Arne Meiswinkel, VW’s lead negotiator, highlighting the necessity for lower labour costs to stabilise the company.

Volkswagen reported a steep 42 per cent drop in third-quarter operating profits, and its core brand posted only a two per cent operating margin through September. According to CFO and COO Arno Antlitz, this underscores the need for “significant cost reductions and efficiency gains” to sustain the company’s operations.

Rumours of potential plant closures in Germany have circulated as the company confronts inefficiencies across several domestic sites. Schafer remarked that the issues cannot be resolved by “simple cost-cutting measures,” indicating deeper structural challenges within the automaker’s German manufacturing operations.

Volkswagen and IG Metall will resume negotiations on November 21.

Hyundai Rotem, a subsidiary of South Korea’s Hyundai Group, has announced a pioneering development for the Republic of Korea (ROK) Army: a hydrogen-powered K3 main battle tank. Set to be among the most advanced military vehicles in the world, the K3 aims to redefine future warfare by leveraging eco-friendly fuel cells, autonomous technologies, and advanced firepower.

Hyundai Rotem’s K3 project is a collaborative effort with South Korea’s Agency for Defence Development and other national research institutions, with production tentatively scheduled to begin by 2040. The shift to hydrogen marks a historic step in South Korea’s commitment to reduce reliance on traditional combustion engines in defence equipment. The K3’s hydrogen fuel cell will eventually replace the diesel engines of the ROK’s K-series tanks, beginning with hybrid prototypes that combine hydrogen and diesel power.

In an online statement, Hyundai Rotem described the K3 as “a next-generation main battle tank that surpasses all capabilities of today’s MBTs (main battle tanks), optimised for evolving battlefield demands.” Key enhancements to the K3 include autonomous driving, AI-based fire control, and a 130-mm smoothbore main gun for increased preemptive strike capabilities. Additionally, the tank will feature improved stealth capabilities, a reduced heat signature, and the deployment of slave drones to enhance reconnaissance and support combat operations.

Fuel cell technology offers multiple advantages, including quieter operation, faster acceleration, superior fuel efficiency, and reduced maintenance due to fewer moving parts. With minimal heat output and sound, the tank achieves heightened stealth, making it less detectable in combat scenarios. Mobility is also improved, allowing the K3 to maneuver through steep and rugged terrains more effectively.

Designed to operate with a streamlined crew of three—a driver, commander, and gunner—the crew will be secured within a reinforced armoured capsule at the front of the tank. This layout ensures enhanced protection and operational efficiency.

The hydrogen-powered K3 demonstrates South Korea’s commitment to integrating sustainable, high-performance technologies into its military arsenal, setting a benchmark for modern warfare with cleaner and more capable military assets.

JAGUAR LAND ROVER’S (JLR) ambitious “Reimagine” strategy, announced nearly four years ago, is fast approaching a major milestone: transforming Jaguar into an all-electric luxury brand by 2025. While the company has not yet unveiled any new electric models, the transition away from combustion engines is in full swing. As of this November, Jaguar has officially stopped selling new cars with conventional powertrains in the UK.

In a recent statement, JLR confirmed the halt: “From November 2024, new Jaguar sales will come to an end. We have now ceased allocation of our current generation of Jaguar vehicles.” This decision means that models like the E-Pace, XE, XF, and F-Type—already phased out—are now joined by the F-Pace SUV, the final model of Jaguar’s internal combustion era in the UK.

While the F-Pace and other models are still available in some markets abroad, their production days are numbered. British customers, however, can still acquire certified pre-owned Jaguars. Notably, the F-Pace was Jaguar’s best-selling model in 2023, with 21,943 units sold globally—though this figure underscores the brand’s recent struggles in today’s competitive SUV market.

Looking ahead, Jaguar’s transformation will see it target an entirely new echelon of luxury. Instead of competing with BMW, Mercedes-Benz, and Audi, the brand is positioning itself against ultra-luxury names like Bentley and Aston Martin. The first model of Jaguar’s electric lineup will be a high-performance saloon, aimed at rivaling the Porsche Taycan, followed by an SUV set to compete with the Bentley Bentayga in 2026. Both models will be built on the Jaguar Electrified Architecture, with a flagship sedan expected later in the decade.

Meanwhile, Jaguar plans to debut a concept vehicle in the United States by year-end. This ultra-luxurious four-door grand tourer will lay the groundwork for a production model starting at over £100,000 (RM565,858). According to Jaguar’s Managing Director, Rawdon Glover, the transition to an electric-only brand has been “hugely frustrating,” yet the focus remains on moving into the ultra-luxury market with fewer, more profitable sales.

With the first new electric Jaguar not set to launch until 2026, the UK will see an unusual absence of new Jaguar vehicles over the coming year.

GOODYEAR is proud to be the official tyre sponsor of the Tokyo Auto Salon Kuala Lumpur 2024, happening from 8 – 10 November 2024 at MITEC, Kuala Lumpur. Known as the world’s premier customised car show, this event promises to showcase the latest in automotive technology, design, and more, drawing car enthusiasts from across the region.

Event Details

Date: 8 – 10 November 2024

Time: 10:00 am – 10:00 pm

Venue: MITEC, Kuala Lumpur

At the Goodyear booth, attendees can explore the latest in high-performance tyre technology and see how Goodyear is driving innovation in tyre performance and quality. This event offers automotive fans the perfect chance to engage with Goodyear and witness the exceptional standards that Goodyear tyres bring to every journey.

Don’t miss this exciting opportunity to connect with industry leaders and fellow car enthusiasts!

BENTLEY is accelerating toward its electric future, building on a path that began with the introduction of the Bentayga Hybrid in 2018. With plug-in hybrid versions of the Continental GT and Flying Spur now available, the luxury automaker has officially announced plans for its first fully electric vehicle (EV), set to debut in 2026.

This new EV will be a luxury urban crossover SUV, described by Bentley’s new CEO, Frank-Steffen Walliser, as “compact” — a term that is relative in Bentley’s world. Measuring under 5003mm in length, it is expected to be similar in size to the Porsche Cayenne or Audi Q7 and will likely share its platform with the forthcoming Porsche Cayenne EV.

While Bentley has withheld technical details, Walliser emphasised that the upcoming model will prioritise usable range and charging speed to meet the demands of modern luxury car buyers. Addressing concerns about the transition to electric power, he assured, “We don’t want to make just any electric car; we want to make a Bentley.” The brand remains committed to preserving the unique qualities that define a Bentley, even without the traditional engine sound. Bentley board member Matthias Rabe hinted at innovative solutions to replicate the emotional experience of a combustion engine without merely copying conventional engine notes.

Bentley’s electrification strategy, initially called Beyond 100, has been rebranded as Beyond 100 Plus, reflecting an adjusted timeline for full carbon neutrality, extended from 2030 to 2035. The shift is driven by both regulatory pressures and growing customer interest, though Walliser acknowledged that the transition will vary across different markets.

This announcement underscores Bentley’s ambition to balance modern sustainability with its storied heritage of opulence and performance. As the brand embraces its electric transformation, it aims to redefine luxury mobility for the next generation.

The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas has launched an investigation into G-Xchange Inc., the operator of GCash, following numerous complaints from users reporting unauthorized deductions on their e-wallet accounts.

It is often said that China is the world’s foremost peddler of fake news and distorted truths. The recent incident in the Taiwan Strait exemplifies this assertion.

The House of Representatives saw quite a toned-down but more gutsy version of former President Rodrigo Duterte as he refrained from swearing at the House probe into his bloody anti-narcotics campaign.