New York / AFP The sun-powered Solar Impulse 2 aircraft set off from New York’s JFK airport early on Monday, embarking on the transatlantic leg of its record-breaking flight around the world to promote renewable energy. The flight, piloted by Swiss adventurer Bertrand Piccard, is expected to take about 90 hours — during which Piccard will only take short naps …

  Tokyo/ Bloomberg LG Electronics Inc., with businesses spanning TVs to washing machines, is looking at home appliance acquisitions to fuel its global expansion and withstand a slowing smartphone market. The company will probably focus on business-to-business targets, such as component makers, Jo Seong-Jin, president of LG’s home appliance division, said in an interview. Earnings from the business will increase …

  Sriharikota / Tribune News Service The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) on Monday began the 48-hour countdown for the launch of 20 satellites, weighing a combined 1,288kg. The satellites will be launched by the national space agency’s workhorse rocket, Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle PSLV-C34, at 9:26am on Wednesday from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota. The primary payload …

  Sunaina Rana EMIRATES BUSINESS The digital world has become the front runner in all the sectors worldwide. We notice that no longer can anyone be ignorant or unwilling to accept the advancement of technology. It has been witnessed that every department of an organisation requires digitalisation for their day-to-day operations. Though Human Resource plays a significant role in managing …

  Our Correspondent EMIRATES BUSINESS Acrow Misr has been designing, developing, manufacturing and installing of formwork, falsework, scaffolding and steel structure Gulf Company is one of the leading companies in the manufacturing, design and rental formwork, and scaffolding in United Arab Emirates. For over 30 years, Acrow Misr has been designing, developing, manufacturing and installing of formwork, falsework, scaffolding and …

  Moscow / Bloomberg Vladimir Putin is considering selling part of Russia’s corporate crown jewels to China and India as the president struggles to meet spending commitments before his possible re-election bid in less than two years. Russia is seeking buyers for 19.5 percent of state oil champion Rosneft OJSC and would prefer a joint deal with the two nations …

  Tokyo / AFP Japan fell into a trade deficit in May, the first since January, the finance ministry said on Monday, as renewed yen strength pressured exports. Japanese exports fell for all major regions, including the nation’s biggest trading partner China, as concerns linger over a slowdown in the largest Asian economy as well as other emerging markets. The …

  Bangkok / Tribune News Service The Revenue Department is poised to offer a personal income tax exemption of 10-15 years to foreign experts as part of its relentless effort to draw inbound direct investment to jump-start private investment. The tax waiver would be offered to experts in specific fields that can help strengthen the country’s competitiveness. It is not …

  Seoul / Bloomberg Tesla Motor Inc. is preparing for its debut in South Korea as the US electric-car maker looks to challenge Hyundai Motor Co. at home. The maker of Model S sedans listed on its website four new positions for sales and engineering in South Korea and one recruiter for the country, who’ll be based in Japan. Tesla …

  TOKYO / AP The US robotics expert tapped to head Toyota’s Silicon Valley research company says the $1 billion investment by the giant Japanese automaker will start showing results within five years. Gill Pratt told reporters that the Toyota Research Institute is also looking ahead into the distant future when there will be cars that anyone, including children and …