Former Cincinnati Fire Chief's Suit for Wrongful Termination Continues after Judges' Decision Former Cincinnati Fire Chief Michael Washington landed a major legal victory last week. After his 2023 firing, he filed a wrongful termination suit against the city, the mayor and the city manager. When the city's attorneys heard of Manager Sheryl Long's intent to fire Washington, they told her he would "would need a hearing," WXIX reported, adding that he never got one. During recent depositions, Long explained: “Because that was my choice to not." In a 2-1 ruling last week, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit ruled Long was not entitled to qualified immunity. The court found Washington was terminated without the pretermination hearing he was entitled to under the city charter. A jury will now get the chance to decide if Long violated Washington's due process rights and defamed him. Prior to his termination, neither the mayor nor the city manager raised any concerns about how Washington was leading the department, WLWT reported, referring to the suit. "It's like they said strike three before he had strikes one or two," Washington's attorney Stephen Imm said when the suit was filed. After the judges' decision last week, Imm wrote in a statement: “We could not be more pleased with the decision we received today from the court of appeals. Cincinnati has never had a Fire Chief more dedicated or more accomplished than Mike Washington. His wrongful termination was an unfortunate stain on this great city. We are looking forward to trial as soon as possible, so that stain can be removed, and so Mike can get back what was so disgracefully taken from him." About the Author Susan Nicol News Editor Susan Nicol is the news editor for Firehouse.com. She is a life member and
Aug 18, 2026 · via firehouse.com
Synopsis: These are the 11 cities that are the best to live in 2026. They are studied on their residential markets, rental prices, infrastructure, connectivity, employment opportunities and overall quality of life. India’s smart city initiative is transforming urban living with enhanced infrastructure, digital civic services, mobility, and sustainable development. Smart city is not just about digital technology, but making the city more efficient, connected and comfortable. A liveable city should offer quality road and public transport infrastructure, quality civic services, access to health and education, employment opportunities and sustainable infrastructure and well-planned residential development. These enhancements can include reduced travel time, improved access to key services, cleaner environment, investment in long-term development. 1. Bhubaneswar Bhubaneswar is known for planned infrastructure and relatively inexpensive housing and its improving quality of life. The residential price on an average is around ₹4,500–₹13,000 per sq ft. The rental prices are also relatively low, ranging from approximately ₹8,500 to ₹50,000 per month depending on the locality. Planned development has helped to make Bhubaneswar a better place to live, combined with a surfeit of jobs and relatively moderate cost of living, this city strikes a balance between affordability, infrastructure and quality of life. 2. Indore Indore is among the most livable smart cities of India, with its cleanliness, well-planned infrastructure and comparatively low cost of housing. The average property price for residential properties is approximately ₹6,000 per sq ft, and the rent of 2-BHK is approximately ₹12,000-35,000 per month. Its IT industry is expanding with its two IT parks, IT Park-3 and IT Park-4, which it expects to add about 16,500 jobs. The Indore-Pithampur Economic Corridor, an upcoming project of Rs 2,500 crore caters to manufacturing, logistics, residential and industrial development. As connectivity improves, jobs become available, clean environment and a relatively affordable living in
Aug 18, 2026 · via tradebrains.in
The public sector urgently needs to empower its workforce to use AI safely. According to a recent report, 91 percent of public-sector and local government IT leaders acknowledge that the use of AI tools and agents outside of official oversight creates business and mission risk. At the same time, factors like budget restrictions, aging infrastructure and unclear governance frameworks make safe AI adoption easier said than done. Thankfully, we can lean on each other to figure it out. Peer cities can openly share what's working and what’s not when it comes to AI to learn from one another. This capacity for collaboration will be one of the public sector's biggest advantages as it navigates the hurdles of using AI safely. AI IS INEVITABLE; SAFE ADOPTION IS NOT It’s no secret that government IT budgets are tight. In many instances, the lion’s share of that money (up to 80 percent) goes toward maintaining legacy systems instead of adopting new technologies. County and municipal IT leaders know AI governance is crucial, but they have limited resources at their disposal. There’s also the challenge of shadow AI. The aforementioned report found that most public-sector IT leaders (96 percent) have encountered AI applications or agents being implemented by employees in non-IT functions. When employees use non-sanctioned AI tools or agents, sensitive government or citizen data can inadvertently leave an organization’s controlled environment. Furthermore, nearly every app employees use today, even everyday software, features some level of AI functionality. The problem is, these capabilities are often “turned on” or utilized without official approval, training or oversight. Despite these challenges, AI is here to stay as a core layer of the public sector’s technology stack. It’s increasingly playing a crucial role in keeping essential services up and running, from utility billing to permitting to public safety.
Aug 18, 2026 · via govtech.com
Taiwan's Largest Renewables & Net Zero Exhibitions to Return Taiwan's largest renewable energy and net zero exhibitions, Net-Zero Taiwan and Energy Taiwan, are set to return to Taipei this autumn. The events are being co-organised by TAITRA (the Taiwan External Trade Development Council) and GESA (the Green Energy and Sustainability Alliance) and will take place from 14–16 October, 2026, in Hall 1 of the Taipei Nangang Exhibition Center. This year's exhibitions will showcase the latest energy technologies, decarbonisation solutions and industry trends, offering companies the chance to keep pace with market developments, to expand their partnerships and to explore more international business opportunities. Online pre-registration for visitors is open now. Net-Zero Taiwan: Moving from planning to action on the net zero transition As the global push toward net zero accelerates, decarbonisation has become a core factor in competitiveness. According to the latest trend report released by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) in April 2026, a growing number of companies are incorporating carbon reduction into their operational decisions and long-term development blueprints, taking concrete action to strengthen supply chain resilience, reduce operational risk, and enhance competitiveness in international markets. Among the many pathways to decarbonisation, 'deep energy saving' stands out for its relatively low investment cost and significant results, making it a preferred option for companies that are pursuing carbon reduction and sustainability. In response to strong industry demand for net zero solutions, Net-Zero Taiwan will bring together numerous leading companies showcasing key technologies and services essential to corporate transformation. These include: - CBAM response strategies - Deep energy saving - Carbon management - Renewable energy trading - Green finance - The circular economy - Inspection and verification Through forward-looking technology demonstrations, practical case sharing and cross-sector dialogue, the exhibition will be a one-stop platform for exchanging net zero solutions,
Aug 18, 2026 · via energydigital.com
Have you heard the rumor about human “organ banks” where people can just swap out an ailing heart, liver, or spleen? I saw something like this in the prophetic AI 2027 essay, an epic broadside by Daniel Kokotajlo and company, about AI ushering in an era of design where human biology gets boosted by the work of inference models. It’s just one of many examples of the world’s potential to change radically – but it’s also illustrative of something important when it comes to natural biological systems. Working on Improvement I was reading this post at OpenAI called Preparing for Future AI Capabilities in Biology, where writers try to project the impact of artificial intelligence in this sphere, writing: “Advanced AI models have the power to rapidly accelerate scientific discovery, one of the many ways frontier AI models will benefit humanity. In biology, these models are already helping scientists identify which new drugs are most likely to succeed in human trials. Soon, they could also accelerate drug discovery, design better vaccines, create enzymes for sustainable fuels, and uncover new treatments for rare diseases to open up new possibilities across medicine, public health, and environmental science.” They also mention the risks: “At the same time, these models raise important dual-use considerations: enabling scientific advancement while maintaining the barrier to harmful information. The same underlying capabilities driving progress, such as reasoning over biological data, predicting chemical reactions, or guiding lab experiments, could also potentially be misused to help people with minimal expertise to recreate biological threats or assist highly skilled actors in creating bioweapons. Physical access to labs and sensitive materials remains a barrier—however those barriers are not absolute.” The OpenAI piece calls for proactive work on safety and guardrails, citing an executive order on the issue, but one point that I
Aug 18, 2026 · via forbes.com
Damascus, Aug. 18 (SANA) The second edition of the TEXPO International Technology and Innovation Exhibition will take place from Oct. 8-11 at the Damascus Fairgrounds, under the patronage of the Ministry of Economy and Industry, organizer Glovent announced Tuesday.
The exhibition covers 29 specialized sectors, including artificial intelligence, digital transformation, cybersecurity, telecommunications, industrial technology, energy, smart education, e-commerce, financial technology, smart cities, startups and digital solutions.
Event manager Salah Aziziyeh told SANA that preparations are underway, noting that this year’s edition builds on the event’s growth and features participation from 12 countries and more than 120 local, Arab and international companies, including Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Jordan, Lebanon, Türkiye and Spain.
The exhibition offers an integrated experience combining a specialized exhibition, conferences, seminars, workshops, panel discussions, interactive displays and business meetings, providing opportunities to explore innovations, markets and partnerships, Aziziyeh said.
The first edition of TEXPO took place in October last year with 80 local, Arab and global brands representing various technology, communications and digital transformation sectors. The exhibition has positioned itself as one of the region’s leading platforms connecting companies, investors, entrepreneurs, experts and decision-makers in the technology and innovation space.
Kh.A / H.H
Aug 18, 2026 · via sana.sy
Dive Brief: - A record number of accessory dwelling units — more than 10,200 — were completed in Los Angeles County in 2025, accounting for 37% of the county’s new housing, according to a recent analysis by the Neighborhood Data for Social Change, a project within the University of Southern California’s Lusk Center for Real Estate. - Overall housing production in the county fell more than 4% in 2025 compared with the year prior, slipping to 27,293 new units from 28,498. - Expedited replacement housing for homes lost in the Palisades and Eaton fires impacted the numbers, according to the report. Dive Insight: Several states and cities are embracing ADUs — sometimes called granny flats or cottage houses — as one tool to address a widespread affordable housing shortage. Despite the proliferation of new ADUs, Los Angeles County remains far behind its state-mandated goal of 812,000 new permitted housing units by 2029, according to the Lusk Center. The county has produced less than 125,400 units since 2021, the report said. “I don’t think that’s to say we shouldn’t feel encouraged by these initial signs of a supply expansion when it comes to ADUs,” Jared Schachner, a researcher for the Lusk Center report and assistant professor of research at USC’s Price School of Public Policy, told the Los Angeles Daily News. “But it’s not nearly enough to fill that gap in terms of what we need regionally.” The full impact of ADUs on local housing supply also remains unclear, as the diminutive structures located on the same land as a primary home may or may not be used as a rental apartment or living space by the homeowners who build them, the Daily News reported. California and the city and county of Los Angeles have all made efforts to streamline ADU
Aug 18, 2026 · via smartcitiesdive.com
Tesla readying Cybercab launch in Austin, Texas: The Information This story was originally published on Smart Cities Dive. To receive daily news and insights, subscribe to our free daily Smart Cities Dive newsletter. Dive Brief: - Tesla appears to be readying a public launch of its Cybercab this month in Austin, Texas, according to The Information. Tesla posted a cryptic message Monday on X offering robotaxi rides at an undisclosed location. - Tesla began manufacturing the purpose-built, two-seat vehicle at its plant near Austin, Elon Musk said in an April 24 post on X. - The company began adding Starlink, a satellite internet service, to its Cybercabs on Aug. 10, according to a post on X. Dive Insight: Tesla CEO Elon Musk debuted the Cybercab at an Oct. 10, 2024, event in Burbank, Calif. The vehicle has no pedals or steering wheel and relies on the company's "full self-driving" software. In its other cars sold publicly with traditional driver controls, that software requires the driver to be attentive at all times, meaning those vehicles are not autonomous. In Austin, Chicago and San Francisco, where Cybercabs are being tested, remote monitors can take over driving when needed, according to an article in Electrek. Ride in Robotaxi through 8/23 for a shot to attend our Cybercab launch event More rides = better odds pic.twitter.com/NxA4H9sWF2 — Tesla Robotaxi (@robotaxi) August 18, 2026 Cybercab rides on public roads will be offered to Tesla employees before public Cybercabs are incorporated into its robotaxi service in Austin, according to news reports. "We do need to be cautious about causing any accidents or causing any harm to anyone," Musk said during the company's Q2 2026 earnings call. "If we injure even one person, it'll be worldwide headline news, and regulators will immediately clamp down on our activities."
Aug 18, 2026 · via autos.yahoo.com
The cities of tomorrow will not be defined by individual systems, but by how seamlessly those systems work together, to create more resilient futures for the communities they serve.
At Smart City Expo World Congress, 3-5 November 2026, Deloitte will explore the future of connected infrastructure. You can hear from Deloitte leaders across main and thematic stage sessions and visit our booth for executive discussions and interactive experiences.
Together, we’ll explore how connected systems can accelerate modernization, unlock greater value and help cities work in harmony.
Stay tuned for speaker announcements, programme updates and the latest from Deloitte at Smart City Expo World Congress.
Aug 18, 2026 · via deloitte.com
“AI will be the backbone that will release the job requirements in other areas,” Salesforce India Chairperson and CEO Arundhati Bhattacharya tells CNBC TV18’s Shereen Bhan. Bhattacharya explains why AI could help unlock missed demand in the economy, creating jobs across sectors beyond traditional IT. She points to rising demand for aeronautical, civil and chemical engineers, while explaining how AI can help businesses identify opportunities that were previously difficult to tap. Bhattacharya also explains how AI has helped Salesforce expand the reach of its research team and generate new sales opportunities. nasscomTata Tele Business Services#AITheNextFrontier#Nasscom#CNBCTV18#AILeadership#IndiasAIPlay Under the water, we have a job problem and we also have a talent problem and we need to address both. But on the job front specifically, you know, do we need to recalibrate the way that we've looked at this industry in terms of job creation as far as talent is concerned? You know, this is again been an industry that spends significant amounts of money set up universities and so on and so forth to train people. I mean, employability has always been a challenge. How do you see industry rising to the occasion of. And I error. Well, you know, one thing I do see, and in a way I think it pleases me as well. Earlier, for instance, no matter what discipline a student would complete their engineering in, they'd land up in it. So whether he was her aeronautical engineer or whether he was a chemical engineer or he was a civil engineer, that all land up in it. At the end of the day, those were the jobs that were that were actually available. Today, on the other hand, an aeronautical engineer is very much in demand. Because missile technology is something that's really and truly making it space.
Aug 18, 2026 · via linkedin.com
The European Commission has published the call for proposals EIC Pathfinder Challenges 2026 (RIF: HORIZON‑EIC‑2026‑PATHFINDERCHALLENGES‑01), under the programme Horizon Europe, with the aim of supporting highly innovative scientific and technological research activities. The call, opened on 22 July 2026 and with a deadline set at 28 October 2026, provides an overall budget of €96 million, with an indicative contribution up to EUR 4 million per project and a funding rate of 100% of eligible costs. The call for proposals is divided into three main areas: Challenge, each dedicated to a research area strategic for European competitiveness and for the development of emerging technologies. 1. Advanced materials for energy-independent systems The first Challenge supports the development of new materials capable of harvesting energy from the environment and convert it into usable energy from miniaturised devices. The materials will be able to exploit solar, thermoelectric, piezoelectric, nanotribological, electromagnetic or other innovative physical and chemical processes. The materials developed will be integrated into miniaturized modules and subsequently in energy autonomous systems, such as wireless sensors and connected devices. Performance will have to be compared with the state of the art through a representative use case in a laboratory setting, with demonstration to TRL 4. This line of research contributes to reducing battery dependency and the environmental impacts associated with the growth of the Internet of Things, with potential applications in areas such as health monitoring, wearable devices, agriculture, industry, mobility, smart cities and energy management. The use of digital tools and artificial intelligence It will speed up the entire material identification, design and characterisation cycle. 2. Biotechnology for healthy ageing The second Challenge aims to transform knowledge on the cellular and molecular mechanisms of ageing into Concrete biomedical solutions. Projects will be able to develop biotechnological or pharmaceutical interventions that can prevent, delay
Aug 18, 2026 · via europa.regione.campania.it
The first speakers for Smart City Expo World Congress (SCEWC26) have been announced.
ITS Internationalis a media partner of the transportation and technology event, which is co-located with Tomorrow.Mobility (TMWC26) and runs from 3-5 November at Fira Barcelona.
At SCEWC2026, speakers will include Rochelle Haynes, MD, What Works Cities – Bloomberg Philanthropies; Carlo Battisti, president, Living Future Europe; Cristian Canton, associate director, Barcelona Supercomputing Center; Karl-Filip Coenegrachts, executive director, Open & Agile Smart Cities; and Ayumi Moore Aoki, founder and CEO, Women in Tech Global.
Meanwhile, TMWC26 will hear from leaders including: Lukas Nekermann, co-founder, Urban Places Lab; Teresa Riesgo Alcaide, secretary general for Innovation, Spanish Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities; Marc Rozendal, CEO, EIT Urban Mobility; Henk Swarttouw, president, European Cyclists Federation; Jaromir Beranek, deputy mayor for transportation, City of Prague, Czech Republic; and Armando D. Hernández Lugo, technical director, Cluster de Innovacion para la Micromovilidad Eléctrica.
Early-bird rates are available: click here for details.
There will be an in-depth look at Barcelona’s transportation ecosystem in ITS InternationalSept-Oct 2026.
Aug 18, 2026 · via itsinternational.com
Abstract By connecting a vast array of objects and enabling remote as well as global control over them, wireless sensor networks (WSN) and internet of things (IoT) have drastically altered the world in an advanced and effective manner. Making high precision on the real-time observations is the primary goal of implementing WSN-based applications, but it is very difficult to achieve due to the sensors’ limited computing power when operating in restricted environments, a large volume of high-speed, heterogeneous, and resource-limited data, including energy, memory, computation speed, quickly-changing data, and bandwidth. The IoT is a cutting-edge technology that is now a necessary component of smart cities. Sensor nodes must overcome resource constraints in order to carry out the improved routing procedure. Therefore, a hybrid heuristic method utilizing the osprey optimization algorithm (OOA) and barnacles mating optimizer (BMO) is suggested in this work in order to improve the processing of IoT-based WSN nodes. This algorithm is termed the hybrid barnacles mating with osprey optimization algorithm (Hy-BMOO) algorithm. In order to choose the best path for network transmission, this hybrid method examines the node properties. Consequently, the multi-objective function, which includes some constraints to guarantee system efficiency, is formulated with the aid of the optimum routing. Lastly, a comparison with certain current techniques and an analysis of the suggested model using specific metrics are conducted. As a result, thorough research reveals that it obtains encouraging outcomes in determining the best course for improved communication. Subjects Abbreviations - IoT: - Internet of things - WSN: - Wireless sensor networks - BMO: - Barnacles mating optimization - OOA: - Osprey optimization algorithm - Hy-BMOO: - Hybrid barnacles mating with osprey optimization - GA: - Genetic algorithm - PSO: - Particle swarm optimization - RNN: - Recurrent neural networks - DNN: - Deep neural networks -
Aug 18, 2026 · via nature.com
Connected Transport Summit Event description Traditional means of transport have entered the digital realm at an exponential rate – redefining modern mobility. Digital connectivity is not only a solution for new efficiency, safety and sustainability standards, but also a regulatory reality. Theory is turning into practice: so how will the authorities of today build the future of tomorrow? The EU’s third and final installment of its ‘Europe on the Move’ mobility package was announced in May, the EU budget post-2021is subject to intense negotiations and there have been agreements on key digital files, so lawmakers are grappling with the nuts and bolts of intelligent transport systems, autonomous vehicles, datamanagement, research spending priorities, smart cities and multi-modal networks. - What are the most promising real-world applications of technologyin connected transport from vehicle to vehicle communication to satellite technology, platooning and mobility services? - What are the key regulatory challenges to multimodal networks ? - How will lawmakers mitigate the risks to connected transport systems while simultaneously protecting consumers and allowing innovation? - Where should resources be concentrated in research, application and infrastructure of alternative fuels? - How should the next multi annual financial frameworkbe configured to fund transport projects? - How will key decision makers use the building blocks of connected transport – data(AI, 5G and all things digital); power (alternative fuels and decarbonization); money (financing and funding challenges) – to shape the future of mobility that is cooperative, connected, automated and intelligent ? Join over 120 policymakers, experts, regulators and disruptors cross-cutting sectors such as transport, tech, telecommunications, energy and more for a full-day, highly-interactive summit in Brussels. POLITICO’s journalists will lead high-level interviews, dynamic discussions and breakout sessions. Join the conversation on Twitter! @EventsPOLITICO #POLITICOTransport Contact information POLITICO Brussels Belgium.
Aug 17, 2026 · via atc-network.com
Cities as Brands: The Global Competition Shaping the Urban Future Discover how cities like Singapore, Seoul, Dubai and Copenhagen are competing globally through technology, culture, sustainability and quality of life. For centuries, the world’s most influential cities earned their reputations gradually. Their prominence was shaped by trade, geography, political power or cultural significance, often over the course of generations. Today, however, urban identity is no longer something that simply evolves. It is increasingly something that is deliberately designed. From Singapore to Seoul, Copenhagen to Dubai, governments are investing heavily in the idea of the city itself. Architecture, cultural institutions, sporting events, digital infrastructure and public spaces are no longer viewed solely as civic amenities. Together, they form part of a broader strategy to attract investment, talent, tourism and international recognition. As capital and skilled professionals become more mobile, cities are competing on a global stage. The question is no longer which city is the largest or the wealthiest, but which offers the strongest combination of opportunity, innovation and quality of life. In many respects, cities have become brands, and their reputations have become strategic assets. Technology and Liveability Go Hand in Hand For much of the twentieth century, urban success was often measured by scale. Today, functionality is becoming equally important. Cities are increasingly judged by how efficiently they operate, from digital government services and smart transport systems to environmental performance and public safety. Residents and businesses alike expect seamless digital experiences alongside reliable infrastructure and high-quality public services. Singapore has long been recognised as a leader in smart city initiatives, while Tallinn has demonstrated how digital governance can simplify everyday interactions between citizens and government. Tokyo continues to combine technological sophistication with efficient public transport and high levels of urban resilience. Across the Gulf, the UAE has also placed
Aug 17, 2026 · via hauteliving.com
Morocco has established four public-interest institutions focused on artificial intelligence, education, industry, and smart cities, following the publication of joint decisions approving their founding agreements in the Official Gazette. The Ministry of Digital Transition and Administration Reform said the new institutions include the Jazari Nucleus Institute, Jazari Institute for Education and Technological Innovation, Jazari Industry X.0 Institute, and Jazari Smart City Institute. The institutes are designed to support Morocco’s ambitions in artificial intelligence and digital transformation across strategic areas including AI, digital infrastructure, education, industrial modernization, and smart-city development. The initiative was led by the Ministry of Digital Transition and Administration Reform under the supervision of Amal El Fallah Seghrouchni, Minister Delegate to the Head of Government in charge of Digital Transition and Administration Reform, in partnership with government bodies, public institutions, universities, and economic stakeholders. Focus on Sovereign AI The Jazari Nucleus Institute will focus on training, research and development, technological advancement, and innovation in artificial intelligence. Its areas of specialization include data centers, high-performance computing, digital storage systems, and sovereign AI. The institute will also contribute to developing national expertise, modernizing public administration, and improving public services. The institute forms part of Morocco’s broader efforts to strengthen digital sovereignty and build domestic capabilities in emerging technologies, in line with the Maroc IA 2030 roadmap. AI and Digital Transformation in Education The Jazari Institute for Education and Technological Innovation will support the digital transformation of Morocco’s education system. Its activities will include developing data- and AI-driven solutions, strengthening future skills among students, and improving teachers’ technological capabilities. The institute aims to connect technological innovation with the needs of the education sector as Morocco expands the use of digital technologies and AI across public services. Supporting Industry 4.0 The Jazari Industry X.0 Institute will focus on modernizing Moroccan industry through
Aug 17, 2026 · via entarabi.com
KUALA LUMPUR (Aug 17): Straits Energy Resources Bhd (KL:STRAITS) has proposed to diversify into engineering, procurement, construction and commissioning (EPCC) services, saying the move would allow it to pursue higher-value contracts in areas such as renewable energy, data centres and smart city infrastructure. The diversification is expected to result in the EPCC business contributing 25% or more of the group’s net profit, or diverting 25% or more of its net assets to an operation that differs widely from its existing businesses, said Straits Energy in a bourse filing on Monday. The EPCC business, it said, will be undertaken through its existing subsidiary Straits CommNet Solutions Sdn Bhd (SCS), whose principal activities currently include the provision of telecommunications and network services, information technology services and construction work. SCS is a CIDB-certified Grade G7 contractor, which allows it to undertake civil engineering and building construction projects without a limit on project value. Straits Energy said the certification, together with its Malaysia Digital status, would position the group to undertake high-value, end-to-end turnkey projects in areas such as renewable energy, data centres and smart cities. The group intends to tender for high-value infrastructure projects, including smart city and modern urban infrastructure developments, as well as renewable energy facilities such as solar photovoltaic farms and related power infrastructure. Straits Energy said it would leverage its existing technical expertise, project management capabilities and vendor network to expand its EPCC operations into sectors including oil and gas, smart city and public infrastructure, high-tech industrial and data centres, renewable energy and utilities, healthcare and education. The proposed diversification builds on the group’s expansion into telecommunications and network services, which was approved by shareholders in March 2023. Since then, revenue from the segment rose 93.12%, or RM97.96 million, to RM105.19 million for the 18-month financial period ended June
Aug 17, 2026 · via theedgemalaysia.com
Rundu residents and leaders have criticised a proposed N$100 300 trip for mayor Andreas Jikerwa to attend a smart city conference in Barcelona, saying the money should instead be used to address the town’s challenges. Jikerwa has been nominated to attend the 15th Smart City Expo World Congress in Spain from 3 to 5 November. The proposal, seen by The Namibian, says the congress is intended to expose Jikerwa to international best practices, innovative solutions and collaborations essential to building future-ready territories. Jikerwa declined to comment last Monday, telling The Namibian that a council meeting would be held on Tuesday last week to discuss the matter. Rundu chief executive Olavi Nathaniel on Thursday said the submission is not a final decision. He said when a council receives an invitation, a submission is prepared for consideration and recommendation by the management committee before being forwarded to the full council for approval or rejection. “All official travels beyond the border are subjected and based on the merits to be approved by the line minister,” he said, adding that the council will not engage the media on matters still before the authority. The mayor’s cost includes N$54 776 for subsistence and travelling allowance, N$20 449 for economy-class air tickets, N$12 000 for transport, N$8 784 for the driver’s daily subsistence allowance, N$2 000 for the visa and a clothing grant of N$2 336. The expenditure would be drawn from the mayoral or corporate services vote. The proposed itinerary shows Jikerwa travelling from Rundu to Windhoek from 28 to 31 October, then flying to Barcelona on 31 October, before returning to Windhoek and eventually to Rundu on 9 November. Urban and rural development minister James Sankwasa last week referred The Namibian to the ministry’s executive director, Wilhelmine Shivute, who says she had not yet
Aug 17, 2026 · via namibian.com.na
Dive Brief: - The Federal Railroad Administration announced $5.3 billion in safety grants Friday for 41 projects in 23 states and for new and replenished Amtrak trains. - Amtrak will get $2.05 billion for 43 new passenger train sets and $140 million to repair 41 locomotives used on the railroad’s Midwest and Pacific routes. - Approximately $3.2 billion is allocated to improving highway-rail grade crossings, rail bridge repairs and replacement, station improvements and other projects. Dive Insight: Funding for the grants came from the National Railroad Partnership Program, authorized by the 2021 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. “The projects we announced today will help make our nation’s rail network much safer because now state DOT’s across America will have the funds they need to eliminate dangerous grade crossings across the nation,” FRA Administrator David Fink said in a statement. “FRA also collaborated with Amtrak over a two year period to determine how best to distribute these funds so passenger trains can run on time and freight isn’t delayed.” Rail Passengers Association Vice President of Government Affairs and Policy Sean Jeans-Gail called the new passenger trains “a big winner” in an Aug. 14 blog post. These are some of the state and local projects funded from the grants: - Chicago rail bridge renewal: Up to $87 million to rehabilitate or replace some 17 aging viaducts, bridges and related structures at the Canal Street Yard to fix structural deficiencies and eliminate hazards for rail operations, drivers and pedestrians. - New Orleans Union Passenger Terminal: Up to $2.5 million to modernize electrical and mechanical systems and address deteriorating 70-year-old platforms and canopies. The project will benefit Amtrak’s Mardi Gras route. Since launching on August 18, 2025, that route has carried 150,000 passengers, exceeding expectations, according to WLOX. - Portland, Maine, station relocation: Up
Aug 17, 2026 · via smartcitiesdive.com
Dive Brief: - Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes sued the owners and managers of three affiliated apartment complexes in Tucson, Arizona, for failing to supply residents with adequate air conditioning, among other alleged patterns of “neglect.” - The lawsuit, filed Aug. 7, said the tenants’ risk exposure has been “particularly pronounced during the 2026 summer” as they were without adequate air conditioning during “ruthless, triple-digit heatwaves” and temperatures inside their homes reached as high as 98.9 degrees Fahrenheit. - Mayes and Arizona State Sen. Lauren Kuby in February introduced a bill that would require “fit and habitable” indoor temperatures for rental housing that must not exceed 82 degrees Fahrenheit or fall below 68 degrees Fahrenheit during periods of extreme cold. Dive Insight: Over the past two years, Mayes has issued a spate of demand letters and sued landlords for providing allegedly inadequate air conditioning. The Aug. 7 lawsuit calls for a temporary restraining order and preliminary injunction, alleging a pattern of neglect that potentially violates the Arizona Consumer Fraud Act and the Arizona Residential Landlord and Tenant Act. Arizona landlords are required to fix broken air conditioners within five days of written notice if temperatures rise to a level that presents a health and safety risk, according to the attorney general’s office. The time frame may be shorter if inside temperatures climb higher than what individual city codes allow. Mayes warned landlords of these obligations and reminded tenants of their rights in an April 7 press release after an early heat wave pushed temperatures in the state to over 20 degrees above normal. "Extreme heat poses a serious health risk, and it is unacceptable for tenants to be without proper cooling,” she said in a statement. "Landlords and management companies must take swift action when cooling systems fail so that
Aug 17, 2026 · via smartcitiesdive.com