UNLV Professor Steffen Lehmann was invited to contribute a chapter to an annual report by the Institute for International Political Studies (ISPI) in Milan, Italy's oldest and most prestigious think tank (founded in 1934, affiliated with Bocconi University), which he co-authored with UNLV graduate researcher Shiva Manshour.
The chapter entitled "Smart Cities as Drivers of Sustainability and New Urban Mobility," argues that smart cities are simultaneously engines of economic activity and living laboratories for sustainable innovation — and that understanding mobility across urban territories, from autonomous vehicles and drones to high-speed rail, is foundational to designing the next generation of infrastructure.
The report, The Pursuit of Smart Mobility in Urban Nodes: Trends and Innovation, edited by Secchi, Della Gatta, and Riela, was produced in a knowledge partnership with McKinsey & Company and brings together leading voices on the future of urban mobility.
Additionally, Prof Steffen Lehmann has also been published by Liverpool University Press in the publication Global Crises, Resilient Responses and Future Cities, with a chapter titled “Social Interaction and the Future of Urban Public Space.”
Jun 13, 2026 · via unlv.edu
Oristano, Ascot Hell: Five Hours for a Recipe
A morning among patients queuing since dawnPer restare aggiornato entra nel nostro canale Whatsapp
The door to the outpatient clinic on Via Pira in Oristano is still closed . It's 6:30 a.m. , and about twenty people are already queuing at the entrance. It's the dawn of those unfortunates without a family doctor : an army of elderly, young, chronically ill (and otherwise) who were once again trying to secure a pass to Ascot.
The door opens and it's a race to get a number. Thus begins yet another day of passion, with endless waits just for a recipe.
And in the end, some people were forced to leave without being seen by the doctor who, alone, could not satisfy all the requests.
The full article is available in L'Unione Sarda on newsstands and on the L'Unione Digital app.
Jun 13, 2026 · via unionesarda.it
Dive Brief: - Wellesley, Massachusetts, is suing the state over plans to build 180 housing units in a community college parking lot owned by the state. - The complaint argues that the state cannot legally apply a required “surplus real property” designation to build housing on the 5-acre parking lot because the college is still actively using it. It also objects to the proposed housing density. - Massachusetts passed the Affordable Homes Act, which includes an initiative to use state-owned land for housing, in 2024. “While the Commonwealth’s commitment to bolstering housing supply and affordability is commendable, and shared by the Plaintiffs, the ends do not justify the means,” Wellesley’s complaint states. Dive Insight: As more states push to grow housing supply, more clashes with local governments over home rule are breaking out. Several Colorado communities are in a standoff with the state over housing-related mandates, and more than two dozen New Jersey municipalities have vowed to continue fighting state housing density rules even after a federal court ruled against them. More recently, the Illinois Municipal League helped stall sweeping state housing legislation proposals that cities argued would have superseded local authority. Several states, including California and Maryland, are utilizing more state-owned land for housing development, often near transit. In a news release, Wellesley officials said the town “has a strong and well-established record of supporting housing production and affordability,” noting that it has met other state housing obligations. The town has a population of more than 30,000. The Wellesley Select Board “would have preferred to continue discussions with Commonwealth officials and refrain from filing legal action at this time, but overtures for compromise, aligned with these objectives, have neither been answered nor reciprocated,” town officials wrote in announcing the complaint. Massachusetts estimates it needs to build 115,600 homes over
Jun 13, 2026 · via smartcitiesdive.com
Dive Brief: - The U.S. House Appropriations Committee on Thursday approved the 2027 Homeland Security spending bill, which proposes $34.1 billion for Federal Emergency Management Agency programs — an increase of more than $2 billion over current funding. - The bill allocates $28.4 billion for the Disaster Relief Fund supporting response and recovery efforts following major disasters and emergencies, $3.8 billion for grant programs, education, trainings and exercises for local and state firefighters, first responders and emergency managers, and $106 million for the National Domestic Preparedness Consortium to deliver training and technical assistance to emergency first responders. - “It appears the House is on track to provide modest increases to the full suite of preparedness grants,” International Association of Emergency Managers-USA President Josh Morton told Smart Cities Dive in an email. “In a very difficult fiscal environment, the House Appropriations Committee has reaffirmed its long-term commitment to [Emergency Management Performance Grants] as the foundational federal investment in state, local, tribal, and territorial emergency management capabilities.” Dive Insight: The Homeland Security Appropriations Bill provides a total discretionary allocation of $64.9 billion for the Department of Homeland Security, with $2.9 billion for defense activities, $6.2 billion in discretionary appropriations offset by fee collections and $28.4 billion as an allocation adjustment for major disaster response and recovery activities. “Securing the homeland and keeping Americans safe in their communities is a fundamental duty of the federal government,” Appropriations Committee Chair Tom Cole, R-Okla., said in a statement. “With major national events such as the 2028 Olympic Games on the horizon, [the bill] prioritizes the capabilities necessary to protect the public and respond swiftly to emerging threats. The bill also strengthens disaster preparedness and recovery efforts, ensuring states and local communities are better equipped to prepare for, respond to, and recover from disasters.” Rep. Harold
Jun 12, 2026 · via smartcitiesdive.com
Behind Iberdrola's Community Approach to Solar in Portugal While Iberdrola is very much a global energy company these days, much of the Spanish firm's most cutting-edge work still takes place on the Iberian Peninsula. One of Iberdrola's latest initiatives sees the company providing households and businesses in Portugal with access to renewable energy, not through generation alone, but by building a series of what it calls "solar communities". These small networks of photovoltaic panels, located in villages or towns, allow participants to share clean electricity without actually owning a single panel themselves. The company currently has eight solar communities under development across Portugal, as well as two that already fully operational, bringing the total to ten projects spread across the country. Together, they are projected to share around 1.7 million kilowatt hours of renewable energy and avoid more than 250,000 kg of CO₂ emissions. All in, this new swathe of projects is expected to see the total number of participants in Iberdrola's scheme swell to more than 2,000. How the model works So, how exactly does this communal approach to renewable energy work for Iberdrola and the consumers? The mechanics are relatively straightforward. Businesses and energy producers share surplus electricity from their solar arrays with consumers located within a four-kilometre radius, making use of energy that would otherwise go to waste. For producers, the arrangement offers them a solar installation without upfront investment, reductions in energy bills and improved ESG credentials. For consumers, the appeal is simpler still: average savings of around 30% compared to the standard tariff, with no fees required to get involved. The model is designed to serve those who want access to renewable energy but cannot install their own generation facilities, whether due to cost, planning constraints or the nature of their property. The case for
Jun 12, 2026 · via energydigital.com
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Jun 12, 2026 · via nst.com.my
KOTRA Expands Korea-Mexico Mobility, Tech Collaboration Summary: South Korea is expanding its economic and technological engagement with Mexico through a mobility-focused trade mission and the establishment of a new KOTRA office in Monterrey, reinforcing bilateral cooperation in advanced manufacturing, automotive production, artificial intelligence, logistics, drones and public security technologies. The initiative reflects growing Korean investment interest in Mexico’s industrial modernization and nearshoring-driven growth, particularly in the northeastern manufacturing corridor. Mexican manufacturers, technology providers, security organizations and regional governments are positioned to benefit from increased technology transfer, business partnerships and innovation-led investment. South Korea is deepening its technological and commercial engagement with Mexico through a new business mission focused on advanced mobility, artificial intelligence, drones and automotive innovation, while expanding its institutional presence in northern Mexico to strengthen bilateral trade and investment ties. The 2026 Korea Mobility Trade Mission, organized by the Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA), brought five South Korean technology companies to Mexico City to explore business opportunities with local partners. The initiative includes approximately 40 business meetings with Mexican companies and a strategic visit to Mexico City’s C5 security and monitoring center to identify opportunities in urban security, data analytics, surveillance technologies and smart mobility solutions. The mission reflects growing interest among South Korean firms in participating in strategic sectors of Mexico’s economy, particularly those linked to advanced manufacturing, digital transformation, intelligent mobility and public security. It also comes as KOTRA strengthens its footprint in Mexico through the opening of a new office in Monterrey, reinforcing the importance of the country’s northeastern industrial corridor for Korean investment. “This initiative is supported by TS, a Korean government organization dedicated to the development of the transportation and mobility sector, whose objective is to support the internationalization of small and medium-sized technology companies,” said Hong Ji Kim, Deputy Director, KOTRA Mexico.
Jun 12, 2026 · via mexicobusiness.news
Friday’s Headlines More Headlines at SBUSA, SBLA, and SBSF 10:36 AM PDT on June 12, 2026 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 California SGV Connect 148: World Cup, 6-7 Edition In this special World Cup edition of SGV Connect, Damien Newton talks with Foothill Transit Communications Director Felicia Friesema about how transit agencies across Los Angeles County are preparing for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. June 12, 2026 San Francisco Bicycle Advisory Committee to Hold Final Meeting It will cease to exist after this month June 12, 2026 “Smart Freeways” Use the Same Dumb Approach A new pilot project is now underway along an eight-mile stretch of northbound Interstate 15 (I-15) between Temecula and Murrieta in Riverside County. Described by backers as a “smart freeway,” the $33 million project aims to ease congestion through real-time traffic management, using sensors, ramp meters, and coordinated system controls along the corridor. June 11, 2026 Guest Editorial: Burbank Voters Approved Transit. Why Is City Hall Still Fighting It? Burbank's elected officials are hearing from residents who support transit rather than only from those who oppose it June 11, 2026
Jun 12, 2026 · via cal.streetsblog.org
Within the framework of “Latam Mobility Colombia 2026,” held in the city of Medellín, the panel “Smart Cities and new mobility: Innovation, technology and international best practices” took place, moderated by Daniela García, Brazil Country Manager for Latam Mobility. The session brought together leaders of the urban mobility ecosystem to analyze the challenges and opportunities the region faces in building smarter, more sustainable and inclusive cities. You may also be interested in | Toyota Presents Technological Diversification Strategy at Latam Mobility Colombia 2026: ‘A Path for Every Destination’ Defining New Mobility: Beyond the Concept Daniela García opened the conversation by highlighting the need to understand the concept of new mobility as a complementary and indispensable pillar of Smart Cities. From their respective roles, each panelist presented concrete projects that exemplify this vision. Carlos Artacho, CEO of Indigo Group Colombia, emphasized that his company, a French multinational with over 60 years of experience, is dedicated to parking operations and recently unified Citi Parking and Central Parking in the country under the Indigo brand. In his speech, he underlined a central idea: “It’s not just about developing new infrastructure, but using what we have well.” He warned about problems such as the invasion of public space and the underutilization of existing infrastructure, and stressed that sustainable mobility must be environmentally, financially, and socially sustainable. “It’s important to know where those vehicles end up and how we use public space,” he stated. For her part, Oksana Kuzmenko, Chile GR Manager at JET, presented her company’s vision, which focuses on shared micromobility via scooters and electric bikes, present in nine countries with plans to launch soon in Colombia. She explained that their approach is based on three principles: on‑demand service, shared mobility, and electric green micromobility. “I don’t need to own my own scooter;
Jun 12, 2026 · via latamobility.com
In the news release, LEOTEK Demonstrates Physical AI for Safer and Smarter Roadways at ITS America 2026, issued 12-Jun-2026 by LEOTEK over PR Newswire, we are advised by the company that the photo has been changed. The complete, corrected release follows: LEOTEK Demonstrates Physical AI for Safer and Smarter Roadways at ITS America 2026 Interlux AI-Powered Traffic Infrastructure Transforms Intersections into Intelligent Sensing Nodes for Real-Time Mobility and Safety Applications SAN JOSE, Calif., June 12, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- At ITS America 2026, LEOTEK showcased how Physical AI can help transportation agencies improve roadway safety, traffic operations, and mobility through intelligent transportation infrastructure. The company demonstrated its Interlux AI Smart Traffic Signal platform, which combines multimodal sensing, edge computing, and real-time analytics to support next-generation intersection management. Roadway safety and congestion remain among the most pressing challenges facing transportation agencies across North America. As cities seek to improve operational performance and enhance mobility, intelligent infrastructure is increasingly being deployed to provide greater visibility, situational awareness, and responsiveness across transportation networks. As Physical AI continues to expand beyond data centers and cloud environments, transportation infrastructure is evolving into a connected, intelligent system capable of perceiving and responding to real-world conditions. Intersections are becoming critical sensing and decision-making points within the broader transportation ecosystem, supporting safer and more efficient roadway operations. At the center of LEOTEK's ITS America showcase was the Interlux AI Smart Traffic Signal solution. The platform integrates radar sensing, computer vision, edge computing, and multimodal perception technologies to deliver real-time situational awareness at the intersection. By combining multiple sources of roadway data, Interlux enables transportation agencies to better understand traffic conditions and respond more effectively to changing roadway environments. The platform supports a wide range of intelligent transportation applications, including Vulnerable Road User (VRU) Protection, Emergency Vehicle Preemption, Adaptive Traffic
Jun 12, 2026 · via prnewswire.com
The 10th edition of Casablanca Smart City, held under the theme of the Augmented Smart City, placed entrepreneurship, urban creativity, and the mobilization of talent at the center of its second day of proceedings. Over ten editions since its launch in 2016, the event has brought together more than 42,000 participants, 685 exhibitors, 661 speakers, and delegations representing 181 cities worldwide, establishing itself as one of Africa’s leading platforms for territorial innovation and urban intelligence. Several speakers addressed the conditions needed for a genuinely entrepreneurial city to take shape. Lamia Benmakhlouf, Director General of Technopark, presented the ecosystem model developed at the Casablanca tech campus, which operates through structured cooperation between universities, financing structures, and public and private sector actors. She noted that 35 percent of resident startups now export their solutions internationally, underscoring the transition from domestic incubation to global reach. Imane Belmaati, president of Human Impact Hub, argued that smart cities must evolve beyond infrastructural programs to become genuine platforms for youth employability and enterprise, calling for improved convergence between public, private, and associative initiatives alongside more adapted mechanisms for financing high-impact projects. The event also served as a platform for international experience-sharing. Marc Liew, representing Singapore Cooperation Enterprise, presented the Punggol Digital District model — an integrated ecosystem in which a university, startups, incubators, investors, and public institutions share a single innovation space and operate on the basis of pooled data, skills development, and collaborative governance. Isabelle Ferrer, Vice-President of Toulouse Métropole, described the campus-based approach developed for sectors including aeronautics, decarbonized mobility, health, and artificial intelligence, designed to create sustained bridges between enterprises, research centers, and startup communities. Abraham Badji, representing the city of Dakar, presented a concrete case study: the digital Set Wash project, which formalizes the activity of vehicle washers operating in the informal
Jun 12, 2026 · via northafricapost.com
Almost two-thirds of transit buses in the U.S. run on diesel, a fuel whose price has jumped 60% since this time last year, according to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics. But many commuter railroads and public transit agencies have fuel hedging programs in place, Jeffrey LeMunyon, founder and principal at Linwood Capital, told Smart Cities Dive.
Agencies that hedged their fuel positions before the Iran war “are in good shape,” he said. Typically, they hedge at least 12 months ahead on a rolling basis, he explained. In most situations, the hedge covers only the fuel cost, not any state or federal excise taxes on fuel. The exceptions are states like California, Connecticut, Illinois, Indiana and Michigan, which charge a sales tax on diesel fuel.
Most U.S. airlines no longer hedge their fuel costs, LeMunyon said. They can increase ticket prices, which public transportation agencies are loath to do.
Jun 12, 2026 · via smartcitiesdive.com
From Singapore to the world, Dell Technologies taps talent here to scale up The tech giant has been orchestrating a massive transformation to become an end-to-end solution enabler for smart cities The strategies and stories that shape today’s leaders [SINGAPORE] Most people still view Dell Technologies through the prism of the traditional PC era – the hardware giant behind desktops, laptops and monitors that sit on office desks worldwide. But behind the scenes, the legacy tech giant has been quietly orchestrating a massive transformation, expanding from a traditional hardware provider to an end-to-end solution enabler for smart cities. When visitors walk through the executive briefing centre at Dell’s Changi office, they are often surprised by the variety of solutions the IT company offers, said Andy Sim, vice-president and managing director of Dell Technologies Singapore. “It’s certainly more than just hardware; it’s (also) consulting, the services and the collaboration.” Finding success in a crowded market Dell – previously known as PC’s Limited – was founded by current CEO Michael Dell in 1984 in his dorm at the University of Texas. What set the company apart from its competitors was its focus on selling custom-built computers directly to consumers. The company – having its roots in hardware – is an end-to end provider for customers, serving up software solutions with the hardware to run them. Singapore is home to Dell’s Global Innovation Hub, which was established in 2019, the first such facility outside of the US. This was followed by the Asia-Pacific and Japan AI Innovation Hub in August 2025. The Global Innovation Hub was launched to enhance areas of augmented and mixed reality, data analytics, cloud-native technology, as well as cybersecurity and edge computing. SEE ALSO The AI Innovation Hub is where Dell prototypes, tests and refines artificial intelligence solutions for
Jun 12, 2026 · via businesstimes.com.sg
- Digital Navigator Corps Report - Federal Broadband Legislation Updates - Seattle Adds Digital Kiosks - Digital Opportunity Map Connects Michigan - Smart City Pilot Network DIGITAL NAVIGATOR CORPS REPORT The National Digital Inclusion Alliance (NDIA) has released its National Digital Navigator Corps (NDNC) program evaluation report. The NDNC is a multiyear pilot program that launched in 2022 to support the creation of digital navigator programs in rural and tribal communities. At that time, NDIA awarded 18 grants totaling $6.6 million to organizations to fund this work. NDNC marks a shift in the Digital Navigator model that launched in 2020, expanding what was once largely limited to urban communities. The report includes key findings learned over the course of 31 months and offers recommendations to support digital navigator programs moving forward. One finding is that NDNC’s existence strengthened the core value proposition of the broader Digital Navigator model. The investment in this pilot program created lasting impacts beyond digital navigation services, through new resources and guidance. The pilot program has also strengthened NDIA’s partnerships with rural and tribal communities. However, effectively delivering these digital navigator services in these communities required strategy adjustments and time. The most valuable learnings were those related to durable career skills. The findings also revealed challenges with the program. First, digital navigators took on many roles, from educators to data managers, which created risk of burnout. Data collection standardization was a challenge for various technical and programmatic reasons, as subgrantee organizations had wide-ranging levels of experience. Finally, a lack of funding was the primary barrier for these organizations to continue offering digital navigator services. The recommendations aim to improve digital navigator programs moving forward. For example, program administrators for initiatives like NDNC should allocate both time and budget to learning about the funded organizations and the
Jun 11, 2026 · via govtech.com
Dallas deploys new digital kiosks as FIFA World Cup kicks off Dallas officials are expanding the digital tools and public-facing resources to help residents and visitors navigate the FIFA World Cup 2026, which kicked off Thursday. The city launched a network of interactive digital kiosks developed by IT vendor IKE Smart City, offering users fan engagement opportunities and operational updates as North Texas begins hosting tournament activities this weekend. The expanded communications effort builds on Dallas’ FIFA World Cup resource portal, released earlier this week. The portal serves as a centralized hub for transportation updates, public safety information, neighborhood impacts, emergency alerts and visitor guidance. AT&T Stadium, located in nearby Arlington, is hosting nine matches through June and July, featuring five group-stage games and the first semi-final match. The city is also hosting the FIFA Fan Festival at Fair Park, a free public event where fans can watch matches, access tournament programming and receive event information. “By offering free directory listings to our small businesses and brand activations, we are ensuring that the economic benefits of this innovative technology are felt directly within our communities,” Ahmed Goree, chief of staff to the Dallas city manager, said during a ribbon-cutting ceremony in the Deep Ellum neighborhood Thursday. Goree added that Dallas could welcome roughly 3.8 million visitors during this year’s World Cup. FIFA estimates total tournament attendance to reach between 5 million and 6.5 million spectators across the 104 matches hosted in the U.S., Mexico, and Canada — though high ticket prices and unsold seats in certain markets have sparked debate over empty-seat risks. The city’s digital-first approach mirrors efforts underway in other host jurisdictions across the U.S., focused on transportation and mobility, public safety, infrastructure readiness, emergency management, and visitor communications. On Wednesday, New Jersey launched a World Cup Health
Jun 11, 2026 · via statescoop.com
Union Minister for Housing and Urban Affairs, Manohar Lal, emphasised that easy, reliable, and safe mobility is the fundamental right of every citizen and that urban transport systems like the Delhi Metro have become an indispensable part of urban living. The minister was speaking at the 31st Foundation Day event of the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi today. He underlined that by 2047, nearly 50 percent of India’s population will reside in urban areas, making it imperative to plan and strengthen urban mobility infrastructure today.
He shared a visionary idea of adding cargo compartments to metro trains, enabling small businessmen, vendors, and hawkers to seamlessly transport their goods across the city. He said this step will save time and enhance business efficiency for the urban working class. The minister reiterated that metro systems will be the lifeline of every city in India, and their continued expansion and modernisation are key to building smart, inclusive, and future-ready urban centres.
On the occasion, DMRC’s Annual Awards were also presented to individuals and teams for their exemplary contributions to the organisation. Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta was also present on the occasion.
Jun 11, 2026 · via newsonair.gov.in
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Jun 11, 2026 · via youtube.com
ABB: How to Stop Data Centres Overloading Electricity Grids AI is reshaping the data centre landscape, but its most immediate impact is being felt on energy systems. As demand rises sharply and fluctuates more unpredictably, maintaining grid stability is becoming a central concern. As operators race to deploy new AI capacity, focus is shifting beyond servers and racks to the strength and responsiveness of the underlying power infrastructure. In response, ABB has launched a pre-engineered modular synchronous condenser package designed to support grid stability requirements while shortening deployment timelines. The development comes amid rapid global AI adoption, which is driving up the consumption of electricity and making load patterns far more volatile. These evolving demand profiles present challenges for voltage and frequency control, particularly as large-scale facilities draw power from already constrained grids. How AI is changing grid requirements The expansion of AI data centres is placing mounting pressure on electricity networks, which must remain stable despite sharp and sudden changes in load. Industry forecasts suggest data centre capacity could nearly quadruple by 2030, intensifying the need for grid reinforcement and smarter energy management. Unlike conventional workloads, AI-driven processes can cause rapid spikes and drops in electricity usage. This variability can strain grid infrastructure and make it more difficult for new developments to secure timely grid connections. ABB’s new solution is engineered to operate at the grid connection point, addressing these challenges directly. The system delivers instantaneous inertia alongside dynamic reactive power, helping to stabilise voltage and frequency in real time. In practice, this allows it to absorb sudden load changes and limit the risk of wider network disturbances. David Bjerharg, Business Line Manager at ABB, says: “As data centres become increasingly widespread and AI-driven demand increases, grid stability is becoming a fundamental requirement for ongoing expansion. “This solution enables
Jun 11, 2026 · via energydigital.com
Dive Brief: - President Donald Trump on Wednesday signed the Secure America Act, a $70 billion budget reconciliation bill that provides long-term funding for border security and immigration enforcement operations through fiscal year 2029. - The bill allocates $350 million for Immigration and Customs Enforcement operations in cities and states that don’t participate in 287(g) agreements, which authorize local law enforcement to make immigration arrests, and appropriates funds to expand, facilitate and implement the agreements. - The U.S. Conference of Mayors issued a statement expressing “deep concern” about the “unprecedented expansion” of funding. “Congress should not provide tens of billions of dollars in new funding to ICE and [Customs and Border Patrol] without also requiring reforms that improve transparency, strengthen accountability, ensure due process, and establish clear professional standards,” USCM President and San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria said in a statement. Dive Insight: The Secure America Act gives ICE $38.9 billion — nearly four times its fiscal year 2025 budget — to hire new officers and carry out immigration enforcement functions. “You’re going to see targeting increase, you’re going to see arrests increase,” border czar Tom Homan said in a statement. “With additional funding, we’re going to keep our foot on the gas and keep moving forward.” The National Fraternal Order of Police said in a statement that the funding will allow DHS and its law enforcement components “to strengthen our nation’s defenses against illegal immigration, transnational criminal organizations, terrorists, and other threats to our country by enhancing operational capabilities, supporting our personnel, and helping ensure that law enforcement has the resources and tools necessary to protect our communities.” According to the American Immigration Council, the bill “includes a substantial focus on enforcement against states and localities that do not participate in federal immigration enforcement” by allocating money for ICE
Jun 11, 2026 · via smartcitiesdive.com
Govt to build a smart AI city The government has taken initiatives to build smart cities and make citizen services more people-friendly through the use of artificial intelligence (AI), as well as to integrate AI into the education system so that younger generations can develop the skills needed for the future workforce. The government has embraced AI as a major opportunity for the country's development and modernisation. Considering the potential of the information technology sector, the finance minister, in his budget speech, proposed an allocation of Tk 500 crore in fiscal year 2026-27 to encourage innovation in this sector. This fund will be used as a startup fund to support women entrepreneurs, promote women's advancement, and foster the development of young entrepreneurs. The objective of the smart AI city is to utilise the skills, creativity, and innovative potential of young people to create startups and nurture freelancers, content creators, and AI technology-based entrepreneurs, according to the budget speech. It also aims to make decision-making more effective and dynamic through the use of AI-driven data centres in government planning and service delivery. The government also seeks to improve the quality of public services, enhance efficiency in administrative activities, and increase transparency and accountability through the use of AI. These initiatives will play a significant role in transforming Bangladesh into an innovation-driven, technology-enriched, and self-reliant nation. Comments
Jun 11, 2026 · via thedailystar.net