New London: Is This the Blueprint for <b>Future</b> Global <b>Cities</b>?
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Smart Cities
The power of LEED for <b>Cities</b> recertification | U.S. Green Building Council
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Resilience from the ground up: The 2026 Impact Symposium | U.S. Green Building Council
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Oman participates in Bahrain <b>Smart Cities</b> Summit
Oman participates in Bahrain Smart Cities Summit Published: 04:06 PM,Jun 30,2026 | EDITED : 08:06 PM,Jun 30,2026 MANAMA: The Sultanate of Oman is participating in the ninth edition of the Bahrain Smart Cities Summit 2026 as part of efforts to strengthen cooperation and exchange expertise in the fields of innovation and smart technologies. Throughout the two-day conference, the Sultanate of Oman is presenting five working papers addressing a range of themes related to the future of smart cities and sustainable urban development, including the role of decentralisation in achieving sustainability, the application of smart technologies in residential buildings to enhance resource efficiency and improve comfort and safety levels, the impact of urban planning and environmental sustainability projects on public health, and sustainable municipal transformation within the framework of Oman Vision 2040. Additionally, a paper on the Al Batinah North Green Initiative will be presented, focusing on environmental sustainability, afforestation and the strengthening of green infrastructure. This participation underscores the Sultanate of Oman's commitment to adopting innovative solutions and advancing smart city concepts, thereby supporting sustainable development efforts and aligning with global trends in urban development and quality-of-life enhancement. - ONA
Oman participates in Bahrain <b>Smart Cities</b> Summit
MANAMA: The Sultanate of Oman is participating in the ninth edition of the Bahrain Smart Cities Summit 2026 as part of efforts to strengthen cooperation and exchange expertise in the fields of innovation and smart technologies. Throughout the two-day conference, the Sultanate of Oman is presenting five working papers addressing a range of themes related to the future of smart cities and sustainable urban development, including the role of decentralisation in achieving sustainability, the application of smart technologies in residential buildings to enhance resource efficiency and improve comfort and safety levels, the impact of urban planning and environmental sustainability projects on public health, and sustainable municipal transformation within the framework of Oman Vision 2040. Additionally, a paper on the Al Batinah North Green Initiative will be presented, focusing on environmental sustainability, afforestation and the strengthening of green infrastructure. This participation underscores the Sultanate of Oman's commitment to adopting innovative solutions and advancing smart city concepts, thereby supporting sustainable development efforts and aligning with global trends in urban development and quality-of-life enhancement. - ONA Oman Observer is now on the WhatsApp channel. Click here
Florence: The Brancacci Chapel Becomes More Accessible Thanks to <b>Smart</b> Technologies ...
The Brancacci Chapel in Florence is at the heart of Italy’s participation in the European AccesS project, “Enhancing Accessibility and Sustainability in Smart Cities and Smart Buildings: The Universal Accessibility Suite Initiative,” an initiative funded by the Horizon Europe program that aims to make historic buildings and urban spaces increasingly accessible, inclusive, and sustainable through the use of innovative technologies. The results of the pilot project were presented in the Tuscan capital and include a series of interventions designed to enhance the visitor experience without compromising the preservation of the frescoes. Among the main innovations are a new lighting system, environmental and visitor flow monitoring systems, ergonomic seating for the transept area, and a tactile panel dedicated to the scene of the Healing of the Cripple and the Resurrection of Tabitha, created by the University of Florence to promote accessibility for blind and visually impaired people. The project involves six pilot sites across Europe, but the Brancacci Chapel represents a unique case: here, digital solutions are being applied to a cultural asset of extraordinary historical and artistic value, reconciling technological innovation with heritage preservation. Before work began, an extensive process of consultation and needs assessment was carried out, involving associations, visitors, museum staff, conservators, researchers, and representatives of people with disabilities. This dialogue identified specific needs, which were then translated into concrete solutions such as multisensory tours, tactile aids, video guides in Italian Sign Language (LIS), more accessible communication, and dedicated services. Between 2025 and 2026, sensors were installed to monitor temperature, humidity, air quality, and pollutant concentrations, as well as devices capable of detecting visitor flows and dwell times in a completely anonymous manner. The systems process only numerical data, without capturing images. The information collected will make it possible to correlate environmental conditions with visitor presence and the
Cement Market Size, Share, Growth, Analysis, Report, 2034
Cement Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Segment Type (Engineered Cement Products, Infrastructure Applications, Ready-Mix Cement, Bulk Cement Supply), By Product Type (Blended Cement, Portland Pozzolana Cement (PPC), Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC), Specialty / High-Performance Cement), By Application (Infrastructure Construction, Residential Construction, Commercial Construction, Industrial Construction), By End User (Public Infrastructure Agencies, Private Construction Contractors, Real Estate Developers, Industrial Project Operators) and By Region (North America, Europe, APAC, Middle East and Africa, LATAM) Forecasts, 2026-2034 Cement Market Size & Growth Analysis The cement market size was valued at USD 410 billion in 2025 and is projected to grow from USD 430 billion in 2026 to USD 620 billion by 2034 at a CAGR of 4.9% during the forecast period (2026–2034). The Asia Pacific region dominated the cement market with a market share of 54% in 2025. Cement is a finely ground hydraulic binding material manufactured primarily using limestone, clay, shale, and other mineral additives that hardens upon reacting with water. It is a critical construction material used in the production of concrete, mortar, and grout for residential buildings, commercial complexes, industrial facilities, roads, bridges, dams, tunnels, ports, and other infrastructure projects. The cement market demand is driven by rising infrastructure investments, increasing urbanization and housing construction activities, expanding industrial and commercial development, and growing government expenditure on transportation and public utility projects. Rapid population growth and economic development in emerging economies continue to support long-term cement consumption, while ongoing modernization initiatives and large-scale infrastructure programs further contribute to cement market growth. Cement Market Key Takeaways - The Asia Pacific cement market accounted for a share of 54% in 2025. - The Middle East & Africa cement market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 6.3% during the forecast period. - By segment type, engineered cement products accounted
Hudson Tunnel funding restored by federal court | <b>Smart Cities</b> Dive
Dive Brief: - A federal judge on Monday permanently prohibited the Trump administration from withholding funding for the $16 billion Hudson Tunnel project, which the U.S. Department of Transportation put under administrative review in October. - Construction was halted in February, several months after the DOT froze the project’s funding. The Gateway Development Commission, which oversees the project, received a temporary injunction a month later to unfreeze the funding, allowing construction to continue while it challenged the move in court. - “We are thrilled that a federal court has once again agreed that the Trump administration’s decision to freeze billions of dollars in grants for the Gateway Tunnel Project is flagrantly unlawful,” New York Gov. Kathy Hochul, New York Attorney General Letitia James, New Jersey Gov. Mikie Sherill and New Jersey Attorney General Jennifer Davenport said in a statement. Dive Insight: The Hudson Tunnel project includes a new two-track tunnel and rehabilitation of the existing North River Tunnel, which carries Amtrak intercity passenger trains and New Jersey Transit commuter trains. That tunnel, constructed in 1910, was severely damaged during Superstorm Sandy in 2012. Some 450 trains and 200,000 passengers move through the tunnels each day. The governors and attorneys general called the Hudson Tunnel project “the most important infrastructure project in the nation.” According to the GDC, 70% of the project’s budget is funded by federal grants. The remainder comes from federal loans, which the two states and the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey will repay. The DOT withheld disbursements from both federal sources beginning on Oct. 1, 2025. While the tunnel project has been a source of contention, the DOT has taken control of the New York Penn Station redevelopment project. The $8 billion project includes expanding track capacity, a new Eighth Avenue entrance to a
WSIS 2026: UNU‑EGOV Organizes Workshop on FAIR <b>Cities</b> | United Nations University
The United Nations University – Operating Unit on Policy-driven Electronic Governance (UNU‑EGOV) will host a workshop at the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) Forum 2026, to be held in Geneva, Switzerland, from 6 to 10 July. Titled “Foresight for FAIR Cities – Exploring AI Risks and Mitigation Strategies”, the session will be held on Thursday, 9 July, at 16:00 (UTC+2), in Room B at Palexpo. Participation will be possible both on-site and online. The workshop contributes to the work of the International Telecommunication Union’s United for Smart Sustainable Cities (U4SSC) “FAIR Cities” working group. It will present key outputs, including the Guide for Cities on FAIR AI and a Repository of Best Practices and Frameworks for Urban AI. The session will also introduce a foresight perspective, exploring emerging AI risks, possible future scenarios, and mitigation strategies for urban governance. The panel will be moderated by Cristina Bueti, Focal Point on Smart Sustainable Cities and AI-enabled Citiverse at the International Telecommunication Union. Speakers include Soumaya Ben Dhaou (Research Specialist, UNU‑EGOV), Okan Geray (Chair, U4SSC), Bamidele Adebisi (Professor of Intelligent Infrastructure Systems and Director of Smart Communities and Innovations, Manchester Metropolitan University), Tim Unwin (Emeritus Professor of Geography, Royal Holloway, University of London), Serge Stinckwich (Senior Research Fellow, United Nations University Paris Office), and Sarah Jane Fox (Associate Director, Institute for Digital Culture, University of Leicester). According to the organizers, “the WSIS Forum serves as a central multistakeholder platform to advance the implementation of the WSIS Action Lines and support global digital cooperation. Anchored in the renewed United Nations General Assembly mandate, it brings together governments, the private sector, civil society, academia, technical communities, youth, and international organisations in an inclusive environment for dialogue, collaboration, and action”.
<b>Cities</b> are throwing away millions. Soil banking offers a better way.
Daniel Walsh, senior technical advisor at LaBella Associates, is a geochemist with over 30 years of experience regulating environmental protection in cities. He founded and operated the NYC Clean Soil Bank, the first urban soil bank in the U.S. He is also an adjunct senior research scientist at the Lamont Doherty Earth Observatory and The Climate School at Columbia University. Cities need clean soil and other fill materials for earthworks projects, ranging from large-scale flood protection in waterfront areas to urban green infrastructure and community gardens, but the high cost of clean fill, limited supplies and uncertain chemical quality can obstruct this important work. Studies show that excavation during urban construction produces large quantities of clean soil that is a valuable but often overlooked natural resource in cities. With basic planning to promote a circular soil economy, this soil can be retained within the city and used as a low-cost fill to supply urban earthworks. In urban areas, soil is excavated to make room for underground parking and basements and often disposed of at commercial facilities located outside the city at a high cost. At the same time, public and private construction projects within the city are purchasing clean fill to reshape or elevate urban land — also at high cost and often from the same commercial vendors that take exported soil. Without local policy in place, this regional commercial marketplace maximizes construction costs, truck transportation, fossil fuel consumption, greenhouse gas and other pollutant emissions, and traffic congestion. Soil banking is an innovative way to retain and reuse surplus soil within cities to create a low-cost supply of fill material that can lower construction costs, assure chemical quality and improve availability. Soil banking can also direct soil reuse to government earthworks projects, at low- or no-cost to the city, to
<b>Smart City</b> Technologies
Modern cities face challenges in diverse areas of city management, including managing rapid urbanization, meeting emissions and efficiency goals and keeping residents safe. Honeywell Automation integrates Internet of things ( IoT) sensors, predictive analytics, and digital platforms to aggregate information from traffic, environment, parking, emergency services, safety, security and urban cybersecurity and utilities into a unified view. We can help reduce response times, improve resource efficiency and enhance citizen's quality of life. Strong communities through smart city technologies Transform urban environments with integrated solutions that can make cities safer, more efficient and better connected. Transform urban environments with integrated solutions that can make cities safer, more efficient and better connected. Smart Cities Drive Better Outcomes Smarter urban mobility Traffic congestion costs cities billions annually. Our urban mobility solutions help optimize traffic flow, reduce commute times and decrease emissions through data-driven traffic management. - Real-time traffic monitoring and adaptive signal control. - Connected parking systems that reduce search time. - Public transit optimization and rider information. - Multi-modal transportation coordination. - Global smart city reach 70+ cities worldwide using Honeywell smart city systems. - Extensive IoT infrastructure 100,000+ IoT sensors connected across Honeywell smart city deployments. - Emissions reduction impact Our solutions can contribute to mitigating roughly 50% of anthropogenic GHG emissions, a key concern for cities of the future. Frequently Asked Questions About Smart Cities A smart city uses connected technologies, IoT sensors, data analytics and other technological tools to improve the delivery of city services, enhance quality of life for residents and operate more efficiently. Smart cities can integrate information from multiple systems—including traffic, utilities, emergency services, environmental monitoring and public safety—into unified platforms that provide real-time insights and help city leaders make better decisions. Smart city technologies can offer faster emergency response, better coordination between agencies and proactive
#delhievpolicy #electricvehicles #evindia #delhi #greenmobility #cnbctv18digital | CNBC-TV18
Delhi Cabinet has launched its electric vehicle policy 2.0 offering zero road tax, direct subsidies up to ₹1 lakh, and 30,000 new charging points to accelerate the city's shift away from petrol and diesel vehicles by 2030. Shivani Bazaz gets you the details #DelhiEVPolicy #ElectricVehicles #EVIndia #Delhi #GreenMobility #CNBCTV18Digital CNBC-TV18’s Post More from this author - Oil outlook turns softer as Hormuz flows recover; Trump India visit unlikely before US midterms, and more - Top 10@10: D-Street slips, HDFC Bank’s new part-time chair, Delhi’s EV push and more - HDFC Bank exclusive, Gold, Silver slump, Dow Futures recovery, Venezuela death toll above 1,500, India out of Women WC and more Explore content categories - Career - Productivity - Finance - Soft Skills & Emotional Intelligence - Project Management - Education - Technology - Leadership - Ecommerce - User Experience - Recruitment & HR - Customer Experience - Real Estate - Marketing - Sales - Retail & Merchandising - Science - Supply Chain Management - Future Of Work - Consulting - Writing - Economics - Artificial Intelligence - Employee Experience - Workplace Trends - Fundraising - Networking - Corporate Social Responsibility - Negotiation - Communication - Engineering - Hospitality & Tourism - Business Strategy - Change Management - Organizational Culture - Design - Innovation - Event Planning - Training & Development Delhi Government - excellent move ... but please understand that from ICE to EV is a transition and STRONG HYBRIDS are the ideal technology to step into that transition .. else the load on EV infrastructure will make it difficult to sustain, causing chaos and poor experience of this huge transition. In this context, incentivise people to buy Strong Hybrid by waving off life time road tax like Government of Uttar Pradesh had already done - irrespective of the price
NYC prepares electric air taxi vertiports
The New York City Economic Development Corporation is preparing two existing heliports in Manhattan for air taxi operations, which could begin as soon as this year. The NYCEDC requires operators of city-owned heliports at East 34th Street, along the East River, and the Downtown Skyport near Wall Street in lower Manhattan, to “complete the build-out of electrification infrastructure requirements” within one year of Federal Aviation Administration certification that will enable commercial air taxi operations, according to an NYCEDC spokesperson. Getting the vertiports ready will involve working with air taxi operators, local utility company Con Edison and existing helicopter operations, VertiPorts by Atlantic CEO Kevin Cox told Smart Cities Dive. But that won’t hold up initial flight operations. “We do anticipate [eVTOL] aircraft being operated in a few sites by the end of the year,” he said. The company, which manages the East 34th Street heliport, also works with locations in California and Florida, Cox said. Vertiports are specialized areas for vertical takeoff and landing aircraft, according to the FAA. A full build-out would include assessing what each facility can accommodate in terms of charging infrastructure, bringing in the necessary electrical power and providing two different charging systems for operators to use, Cox explained. Archer Aviation and Joby Aviation intend to begin operations this year under the FAA’s eVTOL Integration Pilot Program. The program selected eight locations in six states, including New York and New Jersey. Other cities, in the U.S. and internationally, want to learn more about air taxi programs, Cox said. “There is a growing understanding of what and truly how transformational these aircraft can be to communities,” he said. He sees the FAA’s program as a “tipping point,” and those cities that are getting involved now “will be the first beneficiaries of these aircraft,” he said. Cox said
Monday's Headlines Don't Sideline Sidewalks
Monday’s Headlines Don’t Sideline Sidewalks Sidewalks are not just for walking; they're places where we meet neighbors and even conduct business. By Blake Aued 12:01 AM EDT on June 29, 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 The Explainer: Everything You Need To Know About President Trump’s Penn Station Renovation Scheme It's hard to keep all these trains of thought on the right track. Fortunately for you, The Explainer is back. June 30, 2026 So, How Is ‘Vision Zero’ Doing in Beantown? A new report singles out a Boston suburb, where there have been no fatal crashes since 2022. June 30, 2026 Tuesday’s Headlines Are Burning Up Nothing but burning fewer fossil fuels will stop the deadly extreme heat waves and wildfires. June 30, 2026 Interview: ‘Arrested Mobility’ Star Charles T. Brown On Why The New ‘Bikelash’ Is A Misdirection Ploy The nation is in the midst of another war on bikes. But this one is different, so we reached out to an urban planner for a nice chat. June 29, 2026 Some Urban Observations from My Seattle Vacation Photos of some Seattle bus, rail, bike, and traffic calming facilities - including some lessons applicable to Los
Energy <b>Smart</b> Eastside installs 1,000 heat pumps | <b>City</b> of Bellevue
Published June 29 2026 Recipients healthier and more comfortable as they support climate goals Energy Smart Eastside, a collaboration of six Eastside cities supporting equitable access to clean home energy solutions, has helped 1,000 households install heat pumps. Installed over the last four years, since ESE launched in 2022, those heat pumps have helped reduce emissions from residential energy use, one of the region’s largest sources of climate pollution, cutting more than 31,000 metric tons of carbon emissions so far. That’s roughly equivalent to taking 7,231 cars off the road for one year over the lifetime of the equipment. The milestone 1,000th installation took place at the home of Issaquah resident Jenni Treadway. Since heat pumps provide cooling as well as heating, she said she is looking forward to the cooler summers, a better night’s sleep and being able to chat with family during a movie without noise from fans. “It’s so exciting to be part of the program,” Treadway said. “It’s made a difference in our community and I’m hoping we can be a role model for other communities.” Advocating for her community After moving with her family from Nebraska to Washington, Treadway and her family faced the unprecedented summer temperatures of 2021. Motivated to find a long-term cooling solution, she began investigating heat pumps for her condominium community, Ashford at Vista Park, part of the A Regional Coalition for Housing (ARCH) affordable homeownership program. Treadway reached out to the City of Issaquah and was connected to the ESE program. She advocated, not only for herself, but also for her community by coordinating contractors and helping establish policies about heat pump installations on her homeowners’ board. ESE covered the full cost of heat pumps for five income-qualified households and provided substantial rebates for 17 additional moderate-income households. Combined with
Military research facilities falling into disrepair, report says
Dive Brief: - A large percentage of the U.S. Department of Defense’s research facilities were built before the internet and need to be upgraded or the military risks falling behind as innovation in other countries accelerates, an internal report directed at senior department leaders says. - The Defense Research Enterprise Review calls for a dedicated appropriation for research facility development and an increase in the amount the department can spend for facility construction projects without authorization. - The report also calls for developing a database listing all of the department’s research infrastructure and testing facilities to improve visibility into the portfolio. Dive Insight: The Department of Defense has research facilities dating back to 1865, when the U.S. Army built its Electronics Design and Development Laboratory at Watervliet Arsenal in New York, the report says. Today, the average age of the department’s research facilities is 50 years. “Today’s [Defense Research Enterprise] faces a strategic environment that has dramatically changed from the environment in which most of the enterprise was constructed,” the report says. “The pace of technological change is faster than ever with developers providing powerful capabilities on simple-to-use platforms. Adversaries access these technologies more readily than ever and provide non-traditional means for disruption, disturbance, and denial.” The report points to the way Russia and China, among others, are leveraging technologies that could impact the United States’ security. “China has solidified its civil-military fusion model and is investing on a scale and at a pace that requires the United States to develop a new Government-industry paradigm,” the report says. The first of more than a dozen recommendations in the report is to obtain passage of dedicated appropriations for the construction and modernization of the department’s research infrastructure. “Authorized [projects] continually slip due to the Services’ reprioritizing of scarce [military construction] funds
EPA's tougher soot standard upheld in court | <b>Smart Cities</b> Dive
Dive Brief: - The U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit on Friday denied a challenge by several states and industry groups to a 2024 Environmental Protection Agency rule revising the National Ambient Air Quality Standards for fine particulate matter, also known as the “soot standard.” - The EPA last year moved to vacate the stricter 2024 rule, agreeing with the plaintiffs that the agency under the Biden administration had exceeded its authority and failed to consider costs when it initiated the review that led to the revision. - A separate case filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California in April, in which a coalition of 10 states; the District of Columbia; Harris County, Texas; and New York City sued the EPA for failing to implement the 2024 “soot standard,” remains pending. Dive Insight: The Clean Air Act requires EPA to set air quality standards for fine particulate matter from vehicle exhaust pipes, power plants and factories and to designate areas of the country in violation of those standards. In 2024, the EPA under President Joe Biden set new standards lowering the soot standard from 12 micrograms to 9 micrograms per cubic meter of air by 2032. Republican attorneys general from 24 states and a coalition of industry organizations filed suit in March 2024 arguing the EPA lacked statutory authority to promulgate the new rule and contending it was tainted by impermissible “environmental justice” considerations. In November 2025, the EPA under the Trump administration moved to vacate the rule on the grounds that it exceeded its statutory authority and acted unreasonably by failing to consider costs. “Because these arguments lack merit, we deny the petitions for review and the motion for vacatur,” the June 26 appeals court ruling states. If the EPA ultimately implements
Insights Analytics enters deal to secure rights to market Australian firm's pipeline ...
KUALA LUMPUR (June 29): Insights Analytics Bhd (KL:IAB) has signed a memorandum of understanding with Pipeline Inspection and Assessment Pty Ltd (PIA) to be the exclusive distributor of the Australian company's pipeline inspection and condition assessment solutions in Malaysia. The MOU serves as a framework for the two companies to negotiate a definitive distribution agreement, which will set out the detailed terms of their commercial partnership, said Insights Analytics in a filing with Bursa Malaysia on Monday. The Sarawak-based water technology and intelligent asset management solutions company said PIA is based in New South Wales and develops technologies used to assess the condition of pipelines and detect water losses for utility operators and other industries that rely on pipeline networks. “The exclusive national distributorship with PIA enables Insight Analytics to represent, market, and distribute PIA's pipeline inspection and condition assessment solutions, which include the p-CAT suite of proprietary technologies, throughout Malaysia and across all industry sectors,” the company added. Insights Analytics said the arrangement complements its existing business in water technology and asset management solutions by broadening its portfolio of pipeline monitoring and inspection offerings. According to PIA's website, its technology includes external pipeline inspection systems that assess corrosion, wall thickness and the condition of pipelines without excavation or interrupting operations. The tools are also used to estimate pipeline integrity, failure risk and remaining service life. The products cover industries such as water utilities, oil and gas, smart cities, infrastructure, construction, healthcare and property development. In a press statement, Insight Analytics said it has started the country’s first p-CAT pilot deployment in collaboration with Lembaga Air Perak, covering approximately seven kilometres of water pipeline in Perak. Managing director Frank Wee said the partnership marks a significant step in the company’s mission to bring pipeline diagnostic technology to Malaysia, adding that
Why landfills need treatment strategies built for long-term environmental performance
Landfill operators are managing increasingly complex waste streams while balancing environmental compliance, operational reliability, disposal costs and growing public scrutiny. Treatment systems are expected to perform under changing leachate chemistry, evolving regulations and aging infrastructure all while keeping the landfill operating efficiently. Landfill operators are being asked to do more than respond to today’s requirements. There is no one-size-fits-all solution for landfill leachate. Every site has a unique waste profile, treatment objective and operational constraint. The most successful treatment strategies are built on site-specific characterization, operational flexibility and the ability to adapt as regulations, leachate chemistry and disposal options continue to evolve. For landfill managers and operators, environmental performance is no longer defined by what a site intends to do. It is increasingly defined by what a site can measure, manage and prove over time. That shift matters because landfill conditions are never static. Waste composition changes. Leachate chemistry changes. Flow rates change. Regulatory expectations change. A treatment approach that works today may need to perform under very different conditions tomorrow. Many landfills are also experiencing changes in leachate characteristics associated with evolving waste streams, elevated temperature landfill conditions, increased recirculation and changing operational practices, making historical treatment assumptions less reliable. This is especially clear in the growing focus on per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). These substances have become a central concern across water, waste and industrial sectors because they are persistent, difficult to treat and increasingly regulated. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has finalized national drinking water standards for several PFAS, reinforcing the broader direction of regulatory attention across the water cycle. For solid waste operators, the issue is not only whether PFAS is present. It is how sites prepare for more scrutiny around landfill leachate, discharge pathways, treatment performance and documentation. EPA has also determined that revised
PM calls for stronger Việt Nam–RoK cooperation towards US$100 billion trade target
| Prime Minister Lê Minh Hưng (right) and RoK Ambassador to Việt Nam Choi Young-sam at their meeting on Monday. — VNA/VNS Photo | HÀ NỘI — Prime Minister Lê Minh Hưng called on Việt Nam and the Republic of Korea (RoK) to deepen their comprehensive cooperation and work towards achieving bilateral trade of US$100 billion during a reception on Monday for outgoing RoK Ambassador to Việt Nam Choi Young-sam. The PM congratulated Choi on successfully completing his term in Việt Nam and highly appreciated the ambassador’s positive contributions to the Việt Nam-RoK Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, which is becoming increasingly profound, effective, and beneficial to the people of both countries. Reviewing the major achievements during Choi's tenure, PM Hưng highlighted the successful organisation of numerous high-level and all-level delegation exchanges, notably General Secretary of the Communist Party of Việt Nam Central Committee Tô Lâm's state visit to the RoK in August 2025 and RoK President Lee Jae Myung's state visit to Việt Nam in April 2026. He also noted expanding cooperation in defence, security, locality-to-locality ties and people-to-people exchanges, which have helped strengthen political trust between the two countries. Expressing confidence that the solid foundation of bilateral relations would enable further expansion of cooperation, the Prime Minister proposed that the two sides continue promoting all-level exchanges, broaden defence and security cooperation, and strive to achieve the bilateral trade target of $100 billion in 2026 and $150 billion by 2030 in a balanced and sustainable manner. He also called for encouraging more Korean enterprises to launch new investment projects and expand existing operations in Việt Nam, particularly in high-tech electronics manufacturing, semiconductors, renewable energy, urban railways and smart cities. PM Hưng affirmed that the Vietnamese Government will continue creating favourable conditions for foreign businesses, including those from the RoK, to invest