Hyderabad: The development of the 3,245-acre Zahirabad Industrial Smart City project is expected to be completed by March 2028, with Telangana govt aiming to attract investments worth â¹15,000 crore and create nearly two lakh direct and indirect jobs, IT and industries minister D Sridhar Babu said on Monday. He announced this while participating via video conference in a meeting of National Industrial Corridor Development and Implementation Trust that was chaired by Union finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman and Union commerce and industry minister Piyush Goyal from New Delhi. Sridhar Babu said Zahirabad Industrial Smart City has been planned as a major industrial and manufacturing hub for Telangana. Telangana govt holds a 51% stake in the project through land contribution, while Centre is extending financial support for development of the industrial corridor. Sridhar Babu said the development plan for the project has already been submitted to the special purpose vehicle set for the project, and works are being taken up under the engineering, procurement and construction model. The minister said infrastructure works would be completed within the committed schedule. The tendering process for water supply infrastructure has been completed, while power supply-related works would also be finished within the stipulated time frame, he added. During the meeting, Sridhar Babu also sought greater central govt support for Telanganaâs industrial expansion. He urged Goyal to allot four of the 100 plug-and-play industrial parks proposed under Bharat Audyogik Vikas Yojana to Telangana, stating that such an allocation would strengthen the stateâs industrial ecosystem and accelerate investment, manufacturing activity and employment generation.
Aug 17, 2026 · via timesofindia.indiatimes.com
Heatwaves, floods and other climate extremes are exposing the limits of Europe’s ageing buildings and infrastructure. Researchers across the continent are exploring how cities can adapt to a changing climate. Climate change is forcing many European cities to rethink how they are designed and managed. Infrastructure built for the weather conditions of the past is increasingly being tested by heavier rainfall, hotter summers and more frequent extreme weather. According to a recent global survey, over 80% of cities report facing significant climate hazards. For Dr Clemente Fuggini, an Italian engineer whose research focuses on the resilience of cities and critical infrastructure, cities and their communities urgently need to work together to face the challenges of a changing climate. “Resilience relies on an intricate interplay between individuals, communities, institutions and infrastructures,” he said. “In practice, that means understanding not only how buildings respond to climate hazards, but how transport, utilities, public services and the people who rely on them can continue to operate when disruption occurs.” Fuggini is coordinating an EU-funded research initiative, MULTICLIMACT (2023–2027), exploring practical ways to help cities understand their vulnerabilities, prepare for multiple climate hazards and decide where adaptation efforts are most needed. No one-size-fits-all solution The MULTICLIMACT team brings together researchers, engineers and local authorities from nine European countries to assess the range of challenges facing European cities. Rather than proposing a one-size-fits-all solution, the researchers are developing flexible methods that cities can adapt to their own geography and infrastructure, and to the specific climate risks that they face. To see how this works in practice, they have set up four pilot sites across Europe, each representing a different climate challenge. “We chose these locations because they embody certain common European complexities and particular climate and environmental living conditions,” Fuggini said. In the Netherlands, the work
Aug 17, 2026 · via innovationnewsnetwork.com
Monday’s Headlines Pony Up It's getting hot in here, so take off all your cheap gas prices. By Blake Aued 12:01 AM EDT on August 17, 2026 Blake Aued has been doing Streetsblog's daily national news digest for years. He's also an Atlanta Braves fan, which enrages his editor in New York. Read More: Streetsblog has migrated to a new comment system. New commenters can register directly in the comments section of any article. Returning commenters: your previous comments and display name have been preserved, but you'll need to reclaim your account by clicking "Forgot your password?" on the sign-in form, entering your email, and following the verification link to set a new password — this is required because passwords could not be carried over during the migration. For questions, contact tips@streetsblog.org. More from Streetsblog USA San Francisco Advocates Document Harassment on Public Transit 'Eyes on Board' is a new project from the San Francisco Transit Riders to track incidents of harassment. August 17, 2026 Friday’s Headlines Got Charlie Brown Again Why won't Democrats punt and then try a field goal if and when they take more power next year? August 14, 2026 Friday Video: How Red Curbs and Bike Racks Can Save Lives What is daylighting, and how can cities use it to increase street safety? August 14, 2026 Trump’s New ‘Roadway Safety Strategy’ Leaves Out The Good Parts The Trump administration’s new blueprint for improving the nation’s poor road-safety record ignores well-established safety measures and leaves vulnerable road users completely out of the picture — a roadmap that advocates said would not change the ongoing road death crisis that is increasingly unique to the United States. August 14, 2026 Talking Headways Podcast: The Bikeable Forest Of Texas (Yes, Texas!) Who knew that there was a town in Texas
Aug 17, 2026 · via usa.streetsblog.org
Africa’s climate crisis is no longer a warning written in the future tense. It is a lived reality unfolding across our farms, rivers, cities, coastlines and communities. The World Meteorological Organization’s State of the Climate in Africa 2025 provides sobering evidence. At least 13 million people across the continent were affected by extreme weather and climate-related events in 2025. Yet fewer than 40% of African countries report having the preparedness and response capabilities required for effective multi-hazard early warning systems. These figures matter not simply because they are alarming. They tell us something deeper about the nature of the challenge before us. Climate change is not only an environmental problem. It is a systems problem. When water systems fail, food systems are threatened. When extreme weather damages infrastructure, economies and livelihoods suffer. When communities lack access to reliable climate information, vulnerability deepens. And when governments, universities, businesses and communities work in isolation, even good ideas struggle to achieve meaningful scale. This is why our response to climate change must increasingly focus on how we design the systems that sustain society. The United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development provides an important framework for understanding this interconnectedness. Sustainable development goal (SDG) 13, Climate Action, cannot meaningfully be pursued in isolation from goals dealing with hunger, clean water, energy, innovation, sustainable cities, responsible production and partnerships. The sustainable development goals (SDGs) are sometimes presented as 17 separate ambitions. In reality, they describe one interconnected human system. A climate-resilient community requires secure water, reliable energy, sustainable food production, functioning infrastructure, economic opportunity, knowledge and capable institutions. Yet the world remains worryingly behind schedule. The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals Report 2025 found that only 35% of SDG targets were on track or showing moderate progress. As 2030 draws closer, this should not encourage
Aug 17, 2026 · via mg.co.za
The Nigerian Institute of Town Planners (NITP) has renewed its commitment to strengthening professional standards, expanding membership and promoting sustainable urban development to address Nigeria’s growing urbanisation challenges. Speaking at the institute’s Founders’ Day Symposium in Kaduna, NITP President, Dr Ogbonna Chime, described the Institute’s 60-year journey as one of resilience, growth and remarkable professional accomplishments. Chime traced the origins of the Institute to April 1966, when nine pioneering town planners led by Pa S.O. Tokun founded the professional body in Ibadan. He recalled that the Institute’s formal establishment was confirmed on September 5, 1966, at the Lagos Executive Development Board, where a Protem Executive Council was inaugurated to oversee its affairs, while its first National President, Chief M.O. Onafowokan, emerged during the maiden National Conference and Annual General Meeting held in Lagos in September 1968. According to him, the institute’s founders overcame enormous challenges, including the uncertainty preceding the Nigerian Civil War, to establish what has become the country’s foremost professional body for town planners. “The chronology of these events reminds us of the sacrifices, dedication and risks undertaken by our founding fathers to bring the Institute to where it is today,” he said. Chime urged members to preserve the founders’ legacy by remaining committed to advancing the planning profession. He said the institute has expanded from operating in 12 states in 1968 to establishing chapters in all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, while membership has grown to 7,411 across various categories. According to him, collaboration with the Town Planners Registration Council of Nigeria (TOPREC) has strengthened professional regulation, while affiliations with organisations such as the Association of Professional Bodies of Nigeria (APBN), Commonwealth Association of Planners (CAP) and the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) have enhanced the Institute’s international profile. He added that professional platforms, including
Aug 17, 2026 · via guardian.ng
High-tech skills to power real economy China has launched a major policy push to democratize artificial intelligence skills across its workforce, aiming to bridge the gap between high-level technological development and its real economy to drive long-term industrial productivity. The push follows top-level directives, including the State Council's August 2025 guidelines on the "AI+" action plan and an April 2026 Ministry of Education framework targeting universal AI literacy by 2030. In January, Zhang Yunming, vice-minister of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, said that China's core AI industry exceeded 1.2 trillion yuan ($178 billion) across 6,000 enterprise players in 2025. At the annual two sessions in March, National Development and Reform Commission Chairman Zheng Shanjie estimated the broader AI ecosystem will top 10 trillion yuan during the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026–30) period. To reach these macroeconomic targets, national authorities are pinning their hopes on widespread AI application in traditional sectors like manufacturing, textiles, power and healthcare. At the local level, municipal initiatives are serving as direct matchmakers between technology vendors and regional industrial hubs. In Nantong, Jiangsu province, the government-backed "Oasis Spark AI Night School" offers free courses ranging from basic office automation to industry-specific applications in home textiles and medical care. A recent "AI + Home Textiles" session drew nearly 20,000 online and offline participants. Wang Hao, general manager of Nantong Minxing Software Co, said he was drawn to the event due to the strong local home textile industry cluster and became more confident about establishing his project there as a one-person company. Wang, who was invited to deliver a project roadshow that evening, said he received friend-request messages from eight home textile entrepreneurs, and is now busy visiting the companies, connecting with their needs and steadily advancing cooperation. "Startups lack channels and resources. The AI night school,
Aug 17, 2026 · via chinadaily.com.cn
ABOUT RM1mil in grants will be disbursed to 32 community projects focusing on green and low-carbon initiatives in Iskandar Puteri, Johor, under ongoing effort to promote environmental sustainability. Iskandar Puteri mayor Datuk Hasrin Kamal Hashim said the programme by Iskandar Puteri City Council (MBIP) was in its sixth year and offering its highest allocation yet. “With the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ) expected to bring rapid development to the area, MBIP wants to ensure balance through environmental sustainability and resilience against future climate change challenges. “This year’s Iskandar Puteri Low-Carbon Community Grant (IPRK) 6.0 has two new priority areas, Green Digital Ecosystems and the Circular Economy, in line with JS-SEZ’s focus on green investment and sustainability,” he said in a statement. Hasrin Kamal said the programme expanded beyond lowcarbon initiatives to support smart city and learning city projects, following MBIP’s recognition as a member of the Unesco Global Network of Learning Cities. IPRK funded 125 community projects with allocations of over RM2.3mil since 2021. “These initiatives were projected to benefit 70,000 residents in Iskandar Puteri, having already diverted more than 200,000kg of waste from landfills and reduced carbon dioxide emissions by 639,533kg,” he said. For 2026, Hasrin Kamal said MBIP and its strategic partners – Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, Iskandar Regional Development Authority, Johor Education Department and SWM Environment Sdn Bhd received 144 applications. Submissions came from residents associations, places of worship, schools, academic institutions and non-governmental organisations. He said IPRK prioritised inclusive and sustainable projects capable of creating long-term benefits for both the community and environment. “Among the selected projects is Ecosoap Empowerment by Johor Down Syndrome Association, which educates on recycling used cooking oil into circular economy products.” Hasrin Kamal shared. Another recipient, Hibiscus Zone residents’ association in Taman Pulai Indah, previously received RM20,000 under IPRK 5.0 for its
Aug 16, 2026 · via thestar.com.my
Keeping pace with news and developments in the real-time analytics and AI market can be a daunting task. Fortunately, we have you covered with a summary of the items our staff comes across each week. And if you prefer it in your inbox, sign up here! The Agentic AI Foundation (AAIF), the neutral home where the open standard agentic AI stack is being built, has announced 57 new member organizations over the past quarter. The influx, comprising 3 Gold, 33 Silver, and 21 Associate Members, brings total foundation membership to 247 organizations worldwide. The scope of the AAIFâs mission can be put into perspective by looking at the work being carried out over the last year. A recently released Agentic AI Momentum Report, which tracks 116 open-source projects across five layers of the agentic AI stack, shows that open-source agentic AI has evolved into a mature, densely connected ecosystem. Continuous participation from new members, including financial institutions, enterprise platforms, and international leaders, reinforces the demand for robust, secure, and interoperable agentic AI infrastructure as organizations standardize how agents interact, especially across compliance-critical domains like payments, banking, and supply chain management. Real-time analytics news in brief The AI Trust and Security Consortium (AITSC) opened applications for its founding cohort of 50 enterprise security and technology leaders to define how AI gets deployed, governed, and trusted inside the worldâs largest organizations. This is an independent, practitioner-led standards initiative. It brings together cross-industry security and IT leaders to build the AI guardrails that regulators are now demanding and no existing framework supplies. Airbyte announced a new service that enables organizations to migrate from Airbyte Core (open source) to Airbyte Cloud without rebuilding pipelines or performing expensive historical data re-syncs. The new migration capability preserves an organizationâs existing Airbyte workspace, including sources, destinations, connections,
Aug 16, 2026 · via rtinsights.com
The Municipal Administration and Urban Development (MA&UD) Department of Andhra Pradesh is caught in the time warp of archaic administrative measures. But now it seems the light has dawned as it tries to catch up with the times. A top official of the department, at the recent Green Andhra Summit organised by the Indian Green Building Council, noted in disbelief that one of the most laughable things about urban local bodies was its imposition of a ‘tree guard fee’. The audience went into a fit of giggles as the official continued to say that about 45 different types of charges are being collected by the MA&UD Department. He stated that he has since sought to make systemic changes with a new sense of urgency in order to achieve sustainable development. An overhaul The government is streamlining a whole lot of procedures and doing away with redundant ones in keeping with the Swarna Andhra 2047 Vision. A significant step towards transforming cities and towns into cleaner urban agglomerations is a mandate to apartment complexes, if the waste generated per day exceeds 100 kilos, to set up their own in-situ solid waste management units. This has not yet been made formally mandatory, but it is a welcome move as the government intends to rid cities and towns of waste. To complement this move, the department contemplated giving incentives for using treated wastewater, like it is done in some advanced countries across industrial, commercial, and drinking purposes. The Reuse of Treated Used Water Policy, 2026 has been approved by the government to boost long-term water security, reduce freshwater dependence, and promote a circular water economy. Additionally, the existing model of developing slums is being reworked to achieve the twin objectives of improving the quality of life for the slum dwellers and making cities
Aug 16, 2026 · via thehindu.com
Introduction Urbanization is reshaping the global landscape. By 2050, nearly 70% will live in cities, making sustainability indispensable. Resilient planning ensures inclusive prosperity, future‑ready infrastructure, and thriving communities. Strategic Insight: Cities are laboratories of sustainability — when they thrive inclusively, nations prosper collectively. Dimensions of Urban Sustainability – Affordable Housing: India’s PMAY transforms equity. – Resilient Infrastructure: Metro, renewable grids, flood‑proof systems. – Green Public Spaces: Parks reduce pollution, foster inclusivity. – Sustainable Mobility: Transit, cycling, pedestrian equity. Strategic Insight: Urban resilience is the foundation of competitiveness. Technology as a Catalyst – Smart Infrastructure: IoT, AI optimize systems. – Digital Governance: Transparency via e‑platforms. – Circular Economy: Waste‑to‑resource, green jobs. – Urban Data Platforms: Real‑time analytics, predictive modeling. Strategic Insight: Smart cities serve people first. Benchmarking Nations India: Smart Cities Mission, PMAY, metro expansion. Denmark: Green mobility, carbon‑neutral targets. Japan: Disaster‑resilient infrastructure. UAE: AI‑driven smart hubs. Netherlands: Circular economy, water resilience. Kenya: Affordable housing, digital inclusion. Strategic Insight: Sustainability is achievable across contexts. Combined Impact – Economic Competitiveness – Innovation Ecosystems – Market Expansion – Social Stability – Environmental Resilience Strategic Insight: Sustainable cities multiply prosperity. Call to Action Governments: legislate housing, transport, infrastructure. Corporations: invest in green innovation. Civil Society: advocate equity. International Organization: finance and share frameworks. Summary Sustainable cities are necessity, not choice. Embedding resilience, inclusivity, and innovation secures prosperity, stability, and competitiveness.
Aug 16, 2026 · via andamanchronicle.net
The ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party) marked its 25th anniversary on Friday. In power for more than two decades, the party looks forward to more feats under the leadership of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. During the celebrations marking the anniversary, the party also rolled out a "vision paper.” The paper summarizes a strategy for growth and development across 10 chapters. Comprehensive goals were laid out under headings covering a leading country in the global system, a high-tech and high value-added economy, national technology and digital sovereignty, a predictable legal system, a human-centric state, a strong family and prosperous society, women's role in the "Century of Türkiye,” youth as architects of the future, green transformation, and Türkiye on the threshold of its second quarter-century. Erdoğan had earlier announced similar goals for what he called the "Century of Türkiye" vision, in reference to the centenary of the Republic of Türkiye in 2023. In the first chapter, the document aims for Türkiye to transcend being merely a regional actor and become a global leader that inspires trust, builds partnerships, and shapes the international order. Key elements include an order-building foreign policy, a resilient security ecosystem, energy security, strategic production and a terror-free region. Regarding economic growth, the focus centers on high-value-added production across industry, agriculture, and energy. Domestic production in the defense industry has expanded significantly, while agriculture emphasizes food security and farmer welfare. In health care, the target moves toward manufacturing health technologies, pharmaceuticals, and vaccines. For energy, goals include expanding renewables, diversifying through nuclear power and small modular reactors, and manufacturing solar, wind, and battery assets domestically. Digital sovereignty initiatives emphasize artificial intelligence, cybersecurity and technological independence, ensuring technology serves the public good while addressing data protection, digital addiction, and cyberbullying under the Cyber Homeland framework. In the legal
Aug 16, 2026 · via dailysabah.com
Thang met with Russian State Secretary and Deputy Minister of Transport Dmitry Zverev and leaders of Russian Railways (RZD) in Moscow on August 13, affirming that Vietnam always values the support and valuable experience of Russian partners in national construction and development. He noted that Russia has advanced technologies and expertise in transport, while Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City - Vietnam's two special cities and economic locomotives - are prioritising the development of urban transport, urban railways and smart infrastructure, offering significant potential for expanded cooperation. Thang said that Hanoi has approved a 100-year master plan envisioning a smart city, underground space, and low- and high-altitude economy, while investing in urban railway lines and inter-regional transport links. Against this backdrop, Hanoi hopes that Russia's Ministry of Transport and partners will share experience in policymaking and technical standards for urban railways and underground infrastructure, and support design, technology integration, training and technology transfer. The city also invited Russian businesses to explore investment in metro projects under Hanoi's transport development plan to 2030, with a vision to 2050. Hanoi also proposed studying flexible investment models suited to local needs and conditions, while enhancing expert exchanges and sharing experience in metro construction, management and operation. The two sides were encouraged to explore the use of artificial intelligence (AI) and big data in traffic management and regulation to help ease congestion. Hanoi is also interested in designing underground structures and stations as architectural landmarks reflecting the city's cultural and historical identity, integrating technologies across metro lines, developing a centralised control centre and forming consortia to implement urban railway projects, said the official. Regarding Ho Chi Minh City, Thang called on Russia to work with Vietnamese authorities to study investment in, and supply equipment and technologies for, key metro projects. Hanoi and Ho Chi
Aug 16, 2026 · via vietnamnet.vn
RWE Scales Renewable Energy and Grid Investment in H1 2026 RWE reported financial results for the first six months of 2026 that reflected increased wind generation and portfolio expansion. The German energy company's adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation reached €3bn (US$3.3bn), compared with €2.1bn (US$2.3bn) in the corresponding period of 2025. Adjusted net income rose to €1.3bn (US$1.4bn) from €800m (US$880m) year on year. The company added 2.6GW of generation capacity in the 12 months to end June, including wind, solar and battery storage assets. Portfolio expansion supports results According to RWE, the company commissioned 752MW of new generation capacity during the first half of 2026. Total portfolio capacity across renewables, flexible generation and battery storage reached almost 41GW. A further 10.3GW remains under construction. Wind conditions across Europe during the period were stronger than in the first half of 2025, which could have contributed to higher generation volumes. Offshore wind adjusted EBITDA increased to €810m (US$891m) from €643m (US$707m). Onshore wind and solar earnings rose to €1.016bn (US$1.1bn) from €830m (US$913m) in the same period last year. "2026 has been a decisive and successful year for us so far," says Markus Krebber, CEO of RWE, on LinkedIn. "Our strong first-half results show our continued progress in strengthening our portfolio while meeting our operational and financial targets. We deliver on our promises." Flexible capacity earnings increase RWE's flexible generation segment recorded adjusted EBITDA of €1.025bn (US$1.1bn) in the first half of 2026, up from €606m (US$667m) a year earlier. The increase included a €332m (US$365m) compensation payment from the Dutch state relating to restrictions placed on coal-fired generation at the Eemshaven power plant in 2022. Earnings from the segment also benefited from higher revenues generated through the UK capacity market. Battery storage is becoming a larger component
Aug 16, 2026 · via energydigital.com
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Aug 15, 2026 · via moderndiplomacy.eu
Spatial Analytics Platform Market Research Highlights Future Trends and Growth Forecasts Press Release Date 07-22-2026 The Business Research Company's Spatial Analytics Platform Market Research Highlights Future Trends and Growth Forecasts LONDON, GREATER LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM, July 22, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ -- "The spatial analytics platform market is emerging as a key player in leveraging location-based data to drive smarter decision-making across various sectors. As cities and industries increasingly rely on geographic insights, the market is on track for significant growth in the coming years. Let’s explore the current market size, key growth factors, major players, and future trends shaping this dynamic field. Market Size and Projections for the Spatial Analytics Platform Market The spatial analytics platform market has shown impressive expansion recently, with its size expected to increase from $5.87 billion in 2025 to $6.78 billion in 2026. This represents a strong compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 15.6%. The market’s earlier growth stemmed from challenges such as limited availability of sophisticated GIS systems, the ongoing need for manual surveying and mapping, rapid urbanization, infrastructure development, early adoption of satellite imaging, and rising demand for optimized logistics routes. Looking ahead, the market is forecasted to reach $12.19 billion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 15.8%. This projected surge is fueled by factors including the expansion of smart city projects, increasing reliance on real-time location intelligence, deeper integration of spatial data into enterprise decision-making, the growth of cloud-based geospatial analytics, and wider adoption of location intelligence across emerging industries. Key trends anticipated through the forecast period include the use of real-time geospatial insights for infrastructure planning, the application of location-based analytics in retail site selection, the growth of GIS-driven disaster management and emergency response, incorporation of spatial analytics in urban development and real estate valuation, and heightened demand for geospatial data
Aug 15, 2026 · via natlawreview.com
Punjab Chief Minister (CM) Maryam Nawaz has announced plans to expand the Safe Smart Cities project to every tehsil and union council across the province. The expansion will also include the installation of another 1,500 panic buttons at police stations and prominent public places to improve emergency response and public safety. Speaking at the inauguration of the Punjab Integrated Safe City Network on Independence Day, the chief minister said Safe City networks had now been launched across all districts of Punjab. She said the province was increasingly using technology, artificial intelligence, smart surveillance and predictive policing to monitor security situations and respond to emergencies. According to CM Maryam Nawaz, the entire province can now be monitored through an integrated system, while citizens can also seek assistance through the emergency helpline 15. The chief minister said the government would now take the Safe City model beyond the district level by extending it first to tehsils and then to union councils. The planned expansion is aimed at creating a wider security network at the grassroots level and improving access to emergency assistance across Punjab. CM Maryam Nawaz also announced that 1,500 additional panic buttons would be installed at police stations and key public locations. She said the measure would particularly help strengthen the sense of security among women and children. She added that the Virtual Police Station had provided relief to 1.1 million women, while the Child Safety App had helped resolve 100,000 cases and reunite 80,000 children with their families. The chief minister also highlighted the use of technology in emergency response. She cited the example of a woman in Bhakkar who used a panic button after her husband suffered a cardiac emergency, allowing authorities to respond immediately. Public transport passengers can also seek emergency assistance by scanning QR codes installed
Aug 15, 2026 · via propakistani.pk
Moscow (VNA) - An inter-agency delegation led by Politburo member and Secretary of the Hanoi Party Committee Tran Duc Thang has held meetings with officials in Moscow and St. Petersburg to discuss railway and urban railway development and expand cooperation between Hanoi and Russian localities. Thang met with Russian State Secretary and Deputy Minister of Transport Dmitry Zverev and leaders of Russian Railways (RZD) in Moscow on August 13, affirming that Vietnam always values the support and valuable experience of Russian partners in national construction and development. He noted that Russia has advanced technologies and expertise in transport, while Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City - Vietnam's two special cities and economic locomotives - are prioritising the development of urban transport, urban railways and smart infrastructure, offering significant potential for expanded cooperation. Thang said that Hanoi has approved a 100-year master plan envisioning a smart city, underground space, and low- and high-altitude economy, while investing in urban railway lines and inter-regional transport links. Against this backdrop, Hanoi hopes that Russia's Ministry of Transport and partners will share experience in policymaking and technical standards for urban railways and underground infrastructure, and support design, technology integration, training and technology transfer. The city also invited Russian businesses to explore investment in metro projects under Hanoi's transport development plan to 2030, with a vision to 2050. Hanoi also proposed studying flexible investment models suited to local needs and conditions, while enhancing expert exchanges and sharing experience in metro construction, management and operation. The two sides were encouraged to explore the use of artificial intelligence (AI) and big data in traffic management and regulation to help ease congestion. Hanoi is also interested in designing underground structures and stations as architectural landmarks reflecting the city's cultural and historical identity, integrating technologies across metro lines, developing a
Aug 15, 2026 · via en.vietnamplus.vn
- Kenya has opened talks with China’s Guodong Network Communication Group on potential digital infrastructure investments. - Discussions covered broadband expansion, connectivity, smart cities and digital services. - Kenya wants foreign capital and expertise to support fiber networks and extend high-speed internet access. Kenya has opened talks with China’s Guodong Network Communication Group on potential investments in digital infrastructure, part of efforts to mobilize capital and expertise for the expansion of connectivity and the country’s digital economy. John Tanui, Principal Secretary in the State Department for ICT and the Digital Economy, met a delegation from the Chinese telecommunications infrastructure group on August 13. The discussions explored potential cooperation in connectivity, digital infrastructure, smart cities and the digital economy. The talks focused in particular on expanding broadband access to underserved areas. Tanui said better connectivity remains a priority to enable more Kenyans to participate in the digital economy. As of June 2025, 4G coverage had reached 97.3% of the population, compared with about 30% for 5G. Smart-city development was another area discussed. Nairobi wants to build on progress at Konza Technopolis, the country’s flagship smart-city project, to expand digital services and improve access to public services. The government also plans to continue the digitalization of public administration so that citizens can complete more procedures online. The discussions come as Kenya works to strengthen the infrastructure needed to support the growth of its digital economy. The country has prioritized the expansion of fiber-optic networks, broader high-speed internet coverage and infrastructure capable of supporting new digital services. At the same time, authorities want to attract foreign capital and expertise to accelerate these projects. Guodong has experience in telecommunications infrastructure development. The Chinese group says it operates more than 55,000 telecommunications towers and has activities spanning networks, digital infrastructure and data centers. The company
Aug 15, 2026 · via wearetech.africa
Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy on Saturday (August 15, 2026) said the State’s economy had made significant progress over the past 32 months, with its per capita income reaching ₹4,18,931 in 2025-26. He also said the State’s per capita income was about 91% higher than the national average, citing the latest Reserve Bank of India statistics. Speaking after hoisting the national flag at the historic Golconda Fort in Hyderabad on the occasion of 80th Independence Day, the Chief Minister said the government was working to transform Telangana into a $1 trillion economy by 2034 and a $3 trillion economy by 2047. The State was also aiming to increase its share of the national GDP to 10%, he said. Mr. Reddy said the government was developing ‘Bharat Future City’ as the country’s first net-zero smart city and a global hub for artificial intelligence, data centres, advanced manufacturing, research, innovation and emerging technologies. “We are striving to rebuild Telangana and put it on the path of development. In the 32 months since our government assumed office in December 2023, we have restored systems that had been damaged in a planned manner,” he said. Nearly ₹1.70 lakh crore for agriculture and farmer welfare Mr. Reddy said the government believed that the State could prosper only when farmers prospered. The government had spent nearly ₹1.70 lakh crore on agriculture and farmer welfare during the past 32 months, he said. On the sharing of river waters with Andhra Pradesh, he said Telangana would not compromise on its rightful share of Krishna and Godavari rivers. He said pending irrigation projects, including Thummadihatti and the Palamuru-Rangareddy Lift Irrigation Scheme, were being taken up on priority. The government would ensure irrigation water reached the last acre of the ayacut, he said. Recalling that the Young India Skills
Aug 15, 2026 · via thehindu.com
How Coral Gables put AI to work 14 August 2026 by Jonathan Andrews Coral Gables has spent more than a decade integrating artificial intelligence into its infrastructure, public services and internal operations, but its approach began with a practical concern rather than a desire to become a smart city. Located in a hurricane-prone part of Florida, the city initially used intelligent systems to improve the resilience of its communications networks. It has since expanded AI into cybersecurity, public safety, traffic management, customer service and a citywide digital twin. Raimundo Rodulfo, Director of Innovation and Technology and Chief Innovation Officer for Coral Gables, tells Cities Today that his previous engineering career helped inform the city’s early adoption. “AI is not new in engineering,” he says. “I’ve been using it for over 30 years in my career.” After joining the city in 2004, Rodulfo helped develop a communications network with four layers of redundancy, encompassing fibre-optic, wireless, cellular and satellite systems. Automated failovers were introduced to protect emergency communications and services during hurricanes, power failures and other incidents. “That was our priority before we talked about smart cities and AI,” Rodulfo says. “We were talking about resiliency. We were talking about sustainability and business continuity of critical services.” From resilience to public safety The city subsequently introduced AI-powered behavioural analytics to strengthen its cyber defences before beginning to install thousands of connected sensors in 2014. Computer vision technology was used to classify vehicles, objects and pedestrians, with the resulting information feeding into Coral Gables’ Community Intelligence Centre. One early demonstration came during a downtown event attended by around 50,000 people in 2015. After a couple reported their six-year-old child missing, police contacted the centre and an engineer located the child within two minutes using AI-supported image analysis. “We used AI morphological analytics
Aug 15, 2026 · via cities-today.com