NEC transferred its overseas network equipment resale business to a consortium led by Italy's Assist Group. The NEC business operates in regions such as Latin America, the Asia-Pacific, and Europe, building systems for telecom operators and enterprises using network equipment from partner firms. The division also provides IT services for governments and local authorities such as system development for biometric authentication and smart cities. NEC said these services will be transferred alongside parts of its business in Latin America and Europe where operations are primarily centered on the resale venture. “Leveraging our deep technical expertise, NEC has contributed to the growth and problem-solving of customers in various countries through these businesses for many years," NEC CEO Takayuki Morita explained. Under the new ownership, which places long-term growth, investment, and human resource development at the center of its strategy, I am confident that these businesses will be able to provide even higher-value solutions to customers in the future." Assist Group was founded in 1987 and is headquartered in Emilia-Romagna, Italy, It provides technology-driven solutions, data intelligence capabilities, and strategic consulting services. The transfer, which is scheduled to finalize in fiscal year 2026, is NEC's biggest networking carve out since the sale of its wireless and transport business in 2023. The buyer in that deal was Aviat Networks, which claimed the NEC addition would make it the largest microwave backhaul specialist in the market. Comments
Aug 10, 2026 · via sdxcentral.com
Sometimes It Feels Somebody’s Watching Monday’s Headlines Automated traffic enforcement is one thing, but why would Flock want to put cameras on civilian vehicles? By Blake Aued 12:01 AM EDT on August 10, 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 Tuesday’s Headlines Build It and They Will Come De we build infrastructure where people are already biking, or does the infrastructure encourage people to bike? August 11, 2026 Friday’s Headlines Go North, Young Man If you want to walk and bike safely, stay out of the South. August 7, 2026 Talking Headways Podcast: What Does It Cost to Build a Bus? Lisa Jerram of APTA and Philip Plotch of the Eno Center for Transportation explain the state of bus manufacturing and why buses cost so much. August 6, 2026 Report: Building More Homes Reduces Overall Driving Building more homes will get cars off the road, but where they’re built matters. August 6, 2026 Thursday’s Headlines Cut Away A U.S. Senate bill would result in the loss of $950 million in transit infrastructure funding. August 6, 2026
Aug 10, 2026 · via usa.streetsblog.org
KARACHI: The government should make serious efforts to make Karachi a better city through technology and artificial intelligence, said Pasban Democratic Party (PDP) Chairman Altaf Shakoor here on Sunday. He said the megacity was too large, too complex and too rapidly changing to be managed effectively through conventional methods alone. Modern technology and Artificial Intelligence (AI) offered the megacity an opportunity to improve three fundamental aspects of urban life: safety, mobility and civic services. He said the objective should not be technology for technology’s sake. The objective should be to use available technological tools to make Karachi a safer, better-connected, cleaner and more efficiently managed city. He said the major cities around the world had already demonstrated what was possible. London and New York had extensive networks of surveillance cameras used for public safety, traffic management and law enforcement. Major Chinese cities had gone even further in integrating cameras, sensors, digital platforms and AI into urban management. He said these cities differed greatly in their political systems, regulations and approaches to privacy, but they demonstrated a common principle: a large modern city could use technology to obtain a much better real-time understanding of what was happening in its public spaces. Karachi should learn from these experiences without attempting to copy any one city’s model, he said. It should select technologies that were appropriate to its own needs and circumstances, while ensuring that their use remained consistent with Pakistani law, citizens’ rights, privacy and appropriate oversight. Altaf Shakoor said the Safe City Project provided an important starting point. A modern network of cameras and associated technologies could substantially strengthen Karachi’s ability to combat crime, respond to emergencies and enforce traffic regulations. Real-time monitoring could help identify incidents more quickly, direct police and emergency resources to where they were needed, assist investigations
Aug 9, 2026 · via brecorder.com
Dubai Chambers continues to bolster partnerships with Chinese business community DUBAI, 9th August, 2026 (WAM) -- Dubai Chambers is overseeing elaborate preparations to host the Dubai Business Forum - China in Shenzhen on 14th October 2026 as part of its sustained efforts to deepen engagement with the Chinese business community and support companies seeking to establish and expand their operations in Dubai. Being held under the theme 'Momentum at Scale: Accelerating Shared Success,' the event will bring together senior government officials, business leaders, investors, and representatives of the public and private sectors to explore new opportunities for cooperation, trade, and investment between Dubai and China. The upcoming forum reflects the strong impetus on collaborative growth even as leading Chinese technology companies operating across myriad fields like advanced air mobility, aerial delivery, and cross-border payments leverage Dubai's advantages as a platform for scaling innovative solutions, accessing regional opportunities, and expanding into global markets. Dubai's advanced infrastructure, supportive regulatory environment, strong public-private sector collaboration, and connectivity across the Middle East, Africa, and Asia continue to offer a significant value proposition for international technology companies, as apparent from the growth strategies of ARIDGE, Keeta Drone, and PingPong. Dubai's integrated business ecosystem also gives companies access to customers, investors, strategic partners, and decision-makers, while creating an environment that supports the testing, deployment, and commercialisation of emerging technologies. ARIDGE (formerly XPENG AEROHT), the largest flying car company in Asia, has selected Dubai as a strategic base for its global expansion into the Advanced Air Mobility market. In October 2025, ARIDGE completed the first public manned flight demonstration of its Land Aircraft Carrier flying car outside China. The company also secured purchase agreements for 600 units from partners in the Middle East, representing its largest overseas order to date. The agreements span markets including the UAE,
Aug 9, 2026 · via bignewsnetwork.com
Artificial intelligence has become one of those terms that’s impossible to avoid. Most conversations focus on chatbots, image generators, or productivity tools. Those applications are impressive, but I don’t think they’re the most important development taking place. What interests me more is how AI is quietly becoming part of the systems we rely on for safety. Hospitals are using it to support clinical decisions. Cars use it to help drivers avoid collisions. Smart homes use it to recognize unusual activity. Factories monitor equipment before failures occur. These systems don’t exist to entertain us or save a few minutes at work. They’re designed to help people make better decisions when the stakes are much higher. Healthcare Shows What’s Required When Accuracy Matters Healthcare is probably the clearest example of why artificial intelligence needs to be developed differently when people’s wellbeing is involved. Modern software can assist clinicians by analyzing medical images, reviewing patient information, identifying unusual patterns, and helping prioritize cases that require immediate attention. That doesn’t mean AI replaces healthcare professionals. Instead, it gives them another source of information to consider alongside their own experience and clinical judgment. Because of that responsibility, medical AI is developed under much stricter expectations than most consumer software. Testing, validation, documentation, and long-term maintenance become just as important as the algorithms themselves. If you’d like to understand how AI fits into regulated healthcare software, this SaMD guide provides an excellent overview of the standards and development practices behind these systems. Vehicles Are Becoming Active Safety Partners The average modern vehicle contains far more computing power than most people realize. Artificial intelligence is already helping drivers every day. Lane-keeping assistance, pedestrian detection, adaptive cruise control, emergency braking, and driver monitoring all rely on systems capable of interpreting information from cameras, radar, and other sensors. These
Aug 9, 2026 · via aijourn.com
Will Agartala Ever Become a Truly Smart City? Footpaths and Urban Infrastructure Under Scrutiny By Our Correspondent Agartala, August 9, 2026 Agartala’s journey under the Smart City Mission began in 2015, but nearly 11 years later, questions continue to be raised over the city’s roads, drainage, footpaths, parking and traffic management. The issue has now gained fresh attention following observations by noted Tripura Aviator B Parthasarathi, who recently visited Agartala and raised several concerns through his X handle regarding the functioning of Agartala Smart City and overall urban safety. Parthasarathi questioned the slow progress of several road and drainage works and asked how long the authorities would continue inspecting potholes and unfinished drainage instead of completing the works. He also questioned the shortage of parking facilities, alleged encroachment by vendors and battery-operated rickshaws under flyovers, and raised concerns over traffic violations and road-safety arrangements at several locations. He specifically referred to the alleged encroachment along HGB Road from City Centre to Melarmath, traffic movement near the flyover exit opposite the Old Treasury Building, the Motor Stand Petrol pump, multi-storeyed parking project, the number and regulation of e-rickshaws, Katakhal STP and alleged wrong-side vehicle movement near certain service and refilling facilities. He also called for better regulation of roadside vending and battery-operated rickshaws and questioned whether the city has adequate dedicated parking zones. Another important concern raised by him was the absence of a comprehensive accident database identifying accident-prone locations and the reasons behind road accidents. Such data, if systematically collected and analysed, could help authorities introduce scientific traffic-management measures at vulnerable locations. The condition of Agartala’s footpaths is another major concern. In several areas, pedestrians reportedly face encroachment, illegal parking, construction materials and other obstructions, forcing them to walk on busy roads. The situation is particularly concerning for elderly citizens,
Aug 9, 2026 · via tripurainfo.com
AGRA: Samajwadi Party functionary Nitin Kohli climbed down into a nearly 20-foot-deep pit in Agraâs Karmayogi Enclave as part of a symbolic protest over the cityâs deteriorating roads during the monsoon. Kohli reached the spot with local residents and used a ladder to climb into the massive cavity that had opened up on the road. He broke a coconut and said he was searching for Agraâs âSmart City developmentâ even in âPatal Lokâ, but could not find it. âAgra should be called a pit city instead of a Smart City,â Kohli said, alleging corruption in road construction and demanding an inquiry. Roads have caved in at three locations in Agra during the monsoon, leaving pits as deep as 20 feet and around 15 feet wide. The incidents have raised concerns over the condition of underground sewer and water infrastructure. The cave-ins were reported from Karmayogi Enclave in Kamla Nagar, Moti Katra near SN Medical College and Gobar Chowki on Fatehabad Road. Residents and officials have pointed to possible leakage from sewer lines, manholes or water pipelines as causes. At Karmayogi Enclave, the road caved in around 7am on Friday, shortly after a school van passed the spot. Within minutes, the opening widened to around 15 feet and reached a depth of nearly 20 feet. The stretch is used by around 20 to 25 school vehicles every day. Residents placed bricks and stones around the pit and said it was the third road cave-in reported in the locality within a month. Agra was among 100 cities selected under the Centreâs Smart Cities Mission, launched by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs in 2015-16. How concerned are you about the road conditions in Agra during the monsoon? 3k+ users shared opinion today 5k+ users already voted today 3k+ users shared opinion
Aug 9, 2026 · via timesofindia.indiatimes.com
Amman, Aug. 9 (Petra) — The International Conference on Engineering and Sustainable Innovation: Shaping the Future of Cities and Municipalities opened on Sunday with local and Arab participation, aiming to integrate advanced engineering and artificial intelligence to develop smart cities and resilient infrastructure. Ministry of Local Administration Secretary-General for Technical Affairs Mohammad Amoush stressed that the event addresses core current and future challenges in enabling sustainable infrastructure. He noted that the Amra City project represents Jordan’s first model of a sustainable, green city, developed through integrated, advanced urban planning spanning 25 years and relying on clean energy and recycling. Amoush explained that the ministry continues to support smart cities by expanding the powers of local councils, alongside Parliament’s deliberations on the new draft Local Administration Law, while promoting good governance, encouraging private-sector partnerships, and strengthening youth and women’s participation. International Team for Development and Consulting Director General Salah Maaytah said the conference focuses on serving national urban planning priorities and provides a scientific platform bringing together experts and decision-makers to discuss the latest engineering and technological solutions and explore the future of smart cities to ensure environmental and economic sustainability. Atlas Training and Consulting Director General Tahseen Hantouly noted that the conference’s importance stems from the growing need to develop smart infrastructure and keep pace with the accelerating digital transformation and use of artificial intelligence in resource management. He stressed that the event provides a strategic opportunity to strengthen partnerships among the public and private sectors and academic institutions, as well as stimulate investment in emerging technologies. //Petra//AO
Aug 9, 2026 · via fananews.com
Dubai Chambers is overseeing elaborate preparations to host the Dubai Business Forum – China in Shenzhen on 14th October 2026 as part of its sustained efforts to deepen engagement with the Chinese business community and support companies seeking to establish and expand their operations in Dubai. Being held under the theme ‘Momentum at Scale: Accelerating Shared Success,’ the event will bring together senior government officials, business leaders, investors, and representatives of the public and private sectors to explore new opportunities for cooperation, trade, and investment between Dubai and China. The upcoming forum reflects the strong impetus on collaborative growth even as leading Chinese technology companies operating across myriad fields like advanced air mobility, aerial delivery, and cross-border payments leverage Dubai’s advantages as a platform for scaling innovative solutions, accessing regional opportunities, and expanding into global markets. Dubai’s advanced infrastructure, supportive regulatory environment, strong public-private sector collaboration, and connectivity across the Middle East, Africa, and Asia continue to offer a significant value proposition for international technology companies, as apparent from the growth strategies of ARIDGE, Keeta Drone, and PingPong. Dubai’s integrated business ecosystem also gives companies access to customers, investors, strategic partners, and decision-makers, while creating an environment that supports the testing, deployment, and commercialisation of emerging technologies. ARIDGE (formerly XPENG AEROHT), the largest flying car company in Asia, has selected Dubai as a strategic base for its global expansion into the Advanced Air Mobility market. In October 2025, ARIDGE completed the first public manned flight demonstration of its Land Aircraft Carrier flying car outside China. The company also secured purchase agreements for 600 units from partners in the Middle East, representing its largest overseas order to date. The agreements span markets including the UAE, Qatar, and Kuwait, reflecting Dubai’s role as a central base from which companies can access opportunities
Aug 9, 2026 · via gulftoday.ae
As India continues scaling its infrastructure development, Civil Engineering projects are becoming increasingly complex. Therefore, students have to go beyond technical expertise and develop an understanding of policy, emerging technologies, and project management. Policy matters While Engineering is driving India’s infrastructure development, the policy environment influences how these projects move. In most cases, environmental clearance, land acquisition disputes, and financial considerations influence a project as much as technical problems. According to the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation, as of March 2026, there were 1,941 central sector projects with a revised cost of more than ₹41.5 lakh crore, with an overrun cost of ₹5.61 lakh crore. For students, this highlights an important reality and emphasises that the delivery of infrastructure requires not only technical skills but also an understanding of the policy and regulatory landscape and issues related to environmental impact assessment, land law, and public-private partnerships (PPPs). Equally important is an awareness of where to access policy developments. Platforms such as NITI Aayog, the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, and the Press Information Bureau provide regular updates, helping students connect academic learning to real-world infrastructure priorities. Technological advances Due to the growing use of advanced technologies, the way civil engineering projects are planned and executed is evolving quickly. Tools like Building Information Modelling (BIM) and AI-driven analytics are helping improve accuracy and streamline workflows, while drones are now able to survey sites within a few centimetres of precision, cutting timelines by nearly 50–70%. Moreover, technology has also brought changes in terms of surveillance and maintenance. The use of IoT devices has made it easier to monitor assets like bridges and tunnels, while blockchain has helped achieve greater transparency in the logistics sector. For students, knowledge of all this becomes crucial because the increasing growth rate of the sector
Aug 9, 2026 · via thehindu.com
AI, smart cities and robotics take centre stage at Yay Fest 2026 camp [PHOTOS] The “Modern Cities and Technology” camp, the fourth camp of the Yay Fest 2026 youth festival, has concluded in Azerbaijan’s Shamakhi district with a five-day programme focused on smart cities, artificial intelligence, innovation and sustainable development. Supported by the Youth Foundation of the Republic of Azerbaijan, the camp aimed to strengthen young people’s knowledge and skills in modern urban planning, architecture, digital transformation, artificial intelligence, innovation and sustainable development, while fostering creative thinking, leadership and teamwork. At the start of the camp, participants visited the monument to National Leader Heydar Aliyev in Shamakhi and laid flowers in his memory before heading to the camp site to begin the programme. According to AzerNEWS, the five-day programme brought together representatives of government institutions and the private sector for discussions on urban development, reconstruction, security, artificial intelligence and emerging technologies. Sessions included “A New Vision for Urban Planning: Experience, Innovation and Inclusivity”, “From Return to the Future: Security and Sustainable Development”, “AI for Digital City” and “Smart Robots, Smart Future”. Participants were briefed on reconstruction and redevelopment projects in Karabakh and East Zangezur, modern urban planning practices, mine risks and safe return, as well as the role of artificial intelligence in planning and managing the cities of the future. The programme also explored smart city solutions, robotics and emerging professions, giving young participants an insight into how technology could reshape urban life and the future labour market. An interactive session organised by IDEA Public Union focused on environmental challenges and innovative solutions amid rapid urbanisation. Participants also met Azerbaijani statesman, diplomat, scholar and Doctor of Historical Sciences Hasan Hasanov to discuss Azerbaijan’s rich history and statehood traditions. The educational programme was complemented by a range of practical and recreational
Aug 9, 2026 · via azernews.az
Hitachi Energy Q&A: Grid Modernisation & Energy Transition Global demand for energy has grown nearly 60% since 2000, according to the International Energy Agency. For companies navigating the energy transition to a bigger and cleaner energy mix, they must overcome changing regulations, infrastructure and technology limitations. As the economy electrifies and industries decarbonise, Hitachi Energy is working to enable the infrastructure that makes the transition possible while ensuring it remains reliable, affordable and inclusive. Here, Alicia Argüello, Global Head of Sustainability at Hitachi Energy, discusses integrating sustainability into business decisions and customer solutions. What does today's energy landscape mean for the energy transition? The energy transition is no longer primarily a generation challenge. It is increasingly becoming an electricity infrastructure challenge. Demand for electricity is growing rapidly, but in many regions the infrastructure needed to connect and deliver that electricity is not keeping pace. At the same time, the challenge has become more complex. We need to deliver an energy system that is not only sustainable, but also secure and affordable. The challenge is no longer simply generating more clean power. It is ensuring that power can be transmitted, distributed and used reliably, affordably and securely. That is why grids are becoming one of the defining issues of the energy transition. “Grids are becoming one of the defining issues of the energy transition ” What's become clear is that generating more clean energy is only one part of the equation. We also need the grid infrastructure to connect and deliver that power reliably and efficiently. The next phase of the energy transition will be defined by how quickly we can build the infrastructure needed to support a more electrified world while balancing sustainability, energy security and affordability. How can businesses support energy security while navigating the energy transition? Energy security
Aug 9, 2026 · via energydigital.com
- Smart #2 urban EV exposed in Chinese regulatory filings. - It packs an 80 hp electric motor and 186 miles of range. - Full debut scheduled for the Paris Motor Show in October. A few days back, Smart teased its Fortwo successor with artistic murals splashed across big cities worldwide, all building toward a global premiere at the Paris Motor Show in October. So much for the slow tease. China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology just published regulatory filings that lay the whole EV bare, months early and free of charge. The Smart #2 signals the brand’s return to the city car segment after a short hiatus. The new model was developed under the joint venture between Mercedes-Benz and Geely, and it will be sold exclusively in fully electric form. More: The World’s Biggest EV Market Just Went Into Reverse After Years Of Growth The styling of the production car stays very close to the Concept #2 that debuted in April 2026, penned by Mercedes designers. The tweaks are focused on the smaller wheels with regular tires, the simplified grille and bumpers, a new shut line on the hood, the toned-down LED graphics on the headlights and taillights, the license holder on the tailgate, and conventional door handles. The result is instantly recognizable, if slightly more aggressive than earlier iterations. Buyers will be able to personalize their cars with various options, including bi-tone paint schemes, a concept-style grille cover that resembles a suitcase, aero add-ons along the lower bodywork, and a choice of wheel designs. More: Smart Thinks Its E-Class-Sized Sedan Looks Like A Shark, And Stands By It Dimensions shift slightly across trim levels, with length landing between 2,751 and 2,764 mm (108.3-108.8 in). That makes the #2 some 56-69 mm longer than its predecessor, while the
Aug 9, 2026 · via carscoops.com
Democratic Party MP Klevis Balliu has denounced the “Smart City Albania” project, calling for explanations over the doubling of its cost, the selection of the contracting company without competition, and the potential risks related to the security of citizens’ data. Të lidhura None found Balliu said that in April 2024, the project was made public with a value of around $60 million, while, before a year had even passed, the contract had reached $118.5 million. According to the Democratic MP, the government has presented no convincing technical or financial argument for the increase and has provided no credible explanation as to why Albanians should pay double the bill. He also raised concerns over the fact that the contract was signed without an open competitive procedure. According to him, avoiding competition runs counter to the transparency and competition standards provided for under Albanian legislation, as well as the commitments Albania has undertaken toward the European Union. In his statement, Balliu said that Edi Rama’s government was imposing another $118.5 million burden on Albanians for “Smart City Albania,” a project that, he said, raises serious questions about the management of public funds, transparency and national security. The MP argued that when hundreds of millions of taxpayers’ dollars are distributed without competition or accountability, suspicions of the misuse of public funds become inevitable. According to Balliu, the concerns are not limited to the financial aspect. The project envisages the installation of more than 5,000 smart cameras and sophisticated surveillance systems in Albania’s major cities, including schools. As a result, millions of pieces of data belonging to Albanian citizens will be processed through a system that will form part of the state’s critical infrastructure. Balliu also focused on the contracting company Presight AI, which is part of the G42 group. He said that senior
Aug 8, 2026 · via albeu.com
Democratic Party MP, Klevis Balliu, has denounced the "Smart City Albania" project, raising questions about the cost increase, the lack of competition in the selection of the company, and the potential risks to the security of citizens' data. According to Balliu, the project, presented in April 2024 at a cost of about $60 million, has turned into a contract worth $118.5 million in less than a year. The Democratic MP claims that this cost increase has not been accompanied by a convincing technical or financial explanation from the government, while also raising questions about the manner in which the contract was concluded. According to him, the US has raised suspicions about the contracting company Presight AI, part of the G42 group, for links to Chinese intelligence services. "The contracting company, Presight AI, part of the G42 group, which has been the subject of repeated concerns by senior United States institutions for documented links to entities linked to the military and intelligence apparatus of the People's Republic of China. Two US Congressional committees have formally requested assessments and investigations into these links, considering them a matter of strategic importance for security," he said. Another concern raised by him is related to the fact that the contract was concluded without an open competitive procedure. statement Edi Rama's government is placing another burden on the shoulders of Albanians, amounting to $118.5 million, for 'Smart City Albania', a project that raises serious questions about transparency, the administration of public funds, and national security. In April 2024, the project was presented at a cost of about $60 million. Within less than a year, without any convincing technical or financial explanation and without any competition, the cost had increased to $118.5 million. Albanians are being asked to pay double the bill, while the government has not
Aug 8, 2026 · via balkanweb.com
Tripura CM Saha chairs review meeting on power sector, smart city, road development Big News Network.com Tripura CM Saha chairs review meeting on power sector, smart city, road development Agartala (Tripura) [India], August 9 (ANI): Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha chaired a high-level meeting to review various issues related to the state's power sector, with senior officials of the state government and Tripura State Electricity Corporation Limited (TSECL) in attendance. According to the Chief Minister's Office (CMO), State Power Minister Ratan Lal Nath and Finance Minister Pranajit Singha Roy were also present at the meeting on Saturday. During the meeting, the progress of various ongoing development works under the Agartala Smart City project was reviewed, with officials apprising the Chief Minister of the status of implementation. The meeting also discussed issues related to the repair and maintenance of national highways and roads under the Public Works Department (PWD) across the state. The review meeting focused on assessing the progress of ongoing works and addressing issues related to infrastructure development and maintenance in Tripura. Earlier, CM Saha inaugurated the 54th Tripura State Badminton Championship 2026 at the NSRCC Badminton Indoor Hall, Agartala. The Chief Minister highlighted the government's efforts, along with the Tripura Sports Department and Sports Council, to provide better platforms and opportunities for young athletes, while wishing all participants success. 'Today, the 54th Senior State Badminton Championship 2026 was inaugurated, and I also participated in it. Tripura has very good players. The platform that the Tripura government, Sports Department, and Sports Council are providing together has made the children and parents very happy... I extend my best wishes to all the players,' Saha told ANI. Saha also stressed that such sporting events provide young athletes with a platform to showcase their talent, determination and competitive spirit. He said the
Aug 8, 2026 · via bignewsnetwork.com
For years, reading Calistoga’s water meters has required a full week in the field — a process repeated six times a year. That routine is about to end. Calistoga expects to finish installing smart-meter technology at 1,666 homes and businesses within city limits in about a month, allowing the city to collect water-use data remotely instead of sending crews out to manually read each meter. The city’s old meter-reading system dates back at least 40 years and operates with turbine fans inside the meters. At most properties, the upgrade will replace the reading device on the existing meter. About 85 locations will require a full meter replacement. “This will bring us, to be honest, to the point of delivering us into this century,” Councilmember Lisa Gift said. The new technology will allow city staff to access meter data from the office. “We’d have a full crew taking a full week to go out and read them, and we need these readings six times a year,” said Brandon Gray, the city's maintenance superintendent. “My hope is this technology will also detect leaks on the property.” The system can identify water-use patterns that may indicate a leak, allowing the city and customers to catch problems that might otherwise go unnoticed. City officials say the estimated $575,000 project will reduce staff time spent reading meters while helping identify water loss. Calistoga, which primarily purchases its water from Napa through an aqueduct agreement, averages about 10 units of water use per customer each month. At 748 gallons per unit, that amounts to roughly 7,480 gallons. Once installation is complete, water customers will receive logins allowing them to monitor their own water use. The city contracted with Arizona-based Phoenix Water Solutions to handle the installation. Metron, based in Boulder, Colorado, provides the software used to
Aug 8, 2026 · via napavalleyregister.com
From government offices to classrooms, hospitals to farms, Bangladesh is preparing to take a broader leap into the age of Artificial Intelligence, with the government placing AI at the centre of its development and modernisation strategy, reports UNB. The ambition goes beyond simply introducing new technology. According to the budget document for the 2026-27 fiscal year, the government is undertaking a series of initiatives to deploy AI-based technologies to address inefficiencies and complexities in public services, enabling faster decision-making, improved data analysis and enhanced service quality. The document says wider use of AI across government agencies is expected to make administrative processes more efficient, transparent and timely, while improving citizens' access to public services. The government is also pursuing AI-driven initiatives to develop smart cities and make citizen services more user friendly. As part of its broader digital transformation agenda, AI is being incorporated into the education system to equip students with the skills required for future workplaces. Beyond education, the government plans to expand AI applications in the health, agriculture and public service sectors, aiming to create a technology-driven and service-oriented Bangladesh. The budget document also highlights the rapid growth of Bangladesh's electronics industry, describing it as one of the country's fastest-growing and most promising sectors after the ready-made garments industry. AI-driven public services Bangladesh eyes smarter, more efficient future FE Team | Published: August 08, 2026 22:43:50 Share if you like
Aug 8, 2026 · via today.thefinancialexpress.com.bd
In the grand theatre of Indian governance, there exist many republics. In one, you have the lived reality of a citizen—navigating crater-sized potholes, wading through flooded cities, sweating through endless job applications and paying the price for a power sector that loses crores of rupees to theft. In the other, the government presents a meticulously-curated republic, where everything is under control, projects are largely completed. Deficits are not deficits here—they are a “continuous process”. The disconnect between these two worlds visible in Parliament Q&As isn’t just a matter of perception; it is a political chasm. Consider the state of roads. Every week, the feeds on your screens deliver the footage—a flyover sagging, a carriageway swallowing a car. Conscientious MPs prodded by constituents asked the government how many roads caved in. The answer: 49. Not in 2026 or 2025. This is the data from 2014 to 2026. There is visible mystery and then there is seasonal mayhem. Every monsoon, India’s cities morph into Venice without the romance. Asked about urban flooding, the Union government said it was the responsibility of states and urban local bodies. Constitutionally unimpeachable. Except that the largest urban development programme in the country is run from Delhi. Under the Smart Cities Mission, 7,790 of 8,064 projects were completed at a cost of Rs 1,56,257 crore. Expenditure only means that money moved, not resolution of issues. The evasion is portable. This week, MPs asked about water contamination—contaminants, assessments, BIS standards and redressal. The answer: 2.52 crore laboratory samples were collected and 2.87 crore field tests conducted since 2023-24. Three of the four queries evaded and no assessment offered. The tanker mafia is evidence that the scarcity is real. The booming water filter industry is proof that contamination is. Primary education—the spine of hopes about the future—is broken. Government
Aug 8, 2026 · via newindianexpress.com
By Adetoro Banwo Our world has made giant strides in technological and innovation revolution and this has led to the development of Artificial intelligence. AI is the foremost task of using computers or machines to perform human capabilities and abilities such as solving problems, making choices and learning at a much more advance rate, speed and precision. It adopts the use of data to create patterns, access new information and deviates itself from human feeling and sentiments with its use of computations. The research works of Alan Turing in the 1930s has led to one of the vital revolutionary forces in the 21st century. China has made giant strides in the AI Industry; Liang Wengfeng 2023 development of DeepSeek has shown the world that China has the ability to adopt artificial intelligence in developing large language models while competiting with Western Chatboxes like ChatGPT and Gemini. It has successfully used AI in the transportation industry, robotaxis now are used in some parts of China, Apollo Go created by Baidu the tech giants have improved commuting problems in China and have shown China’s rapid progress and scientific achievements. Despite these laudable achievements, AI poses serious risks and threats to human race and its core existence. In 2023, President XI Jinping launched the Global AI Governance Initiative (GAIGI) to promote, regulate and seek AI’s usage for the creative, ethical, development and prosperous purposes of mankind. China through its policy paper has called on the global community to adopt the use of AI in solving global issues such as climate change and biodiversity conservation. Its premises hinges on AI should benefit human civilisation. As such it has launched sky-ground sea networks in which it uses underwater cameras, drones and satellite to monitor and build ecological grids. Huaweis bird’s eye view project adopts the
Aug 8, 2026 · via vanguardngr.com