PoCo Place project hits pause The biggest and most complex project ever proposed in Port Coquitlam won’t be arriving any time soon. Earmarked for 2775 Lougheed Highway at Westwood Street, the six-tower development was touted as a way to revitalize the PoCo Place strip mall, with construction beginning as early as 2027. However, developer Wesbild recently opted to postpone the project, confirmed Port Coquitlam director of planning Bruce Irvine. “They have paused,” Irvine said. “At this time the market just doesn’t support that in their opinion.” Local news that matters to you No one covers the Tri-Cities like we do. But we need your help to keep our community journalism sustainable. Besides 80,000 square feet of retail space, and a childcare facility, the project was set to include about 2,000 units. “It represented about twice our average annual growth rate,” Irvine said. Irvine explained that he couldn’t divulge information about other projects in the city. While there’s still demand townhouses and duplexes, Irvine said this is the most dramatic shift in B.C.’s housing market in more than 20 years. “We have seen a tremendous slowdown in new applications, especially multi-family applications,” he said. “Where the market has completely collapsed, is the pre-sold, pre-purchased, investor, multi-family tower.” With the city’s population projected to reach 72,000 by 2031, Port Coquitlam should add about 550 new dwelling units each year, according to a 2022 housing needs report. The city is also subject to provincial housing targets, which put an emphasis on studios and one-bedroom units, Irvine added. “We don’t subscribe to that,” he said. “Our focus has always been: how do we build the right kind of community for our citizens?” As cities across Canada grapple with the shifting housing market, Irvine said co-operation between governments and developers is crucial. “If we can’t
May 25, 2026 · via tricitiesdispatch.com
According to market research firms, the global edge AI market is forecast to post a compound annual growth rate of 26% through 2032, while the overall edge computing market is expected to expand from US$131 billion to US$440 billion between 2023 and 2033,...
The article requires paid subscription.
Subscribe Now
May 25, 2026 · via digitimes.com
As climate change, pollution, traffic congestion, and rapid urban growth put increasing pressure on cities, researchers are calling for a major rethink of how urban areas are managed. A new international study led by scientists from Zhejiang Gongshang University, Zhejiang University, the Chinese Academy of Sciences, the University of Copenhagen, and Université Paris Est Créteil argues that current "smart city" systems are no longer enough to deal with modern urban challenges. The researchers propose a new model called the "Smart-City-Brain" (SCB), which combines artificial intelligence, big data, digital technologies, and real-time monitoring into a single integrated system. Published in the Journal of Urban Management, the study says future cities must focus not only on efficiency but also on carbon neutrality, public health, resilience, and social equality. Why Current Smart Cities Are Falling Short Over the past decade, cities around the world have invested heavily in smart technologies such as traffic sensors, surveillance systems, digital infrastructure, and automated energy management. These systems have improved urban services and reduced some operational problems. However, the researchers say most smart city systems still work in isolation. Transportation departments, energy networks, healthcare systems, and environmental agencies often collect and manage data separately. This creates "data silos" that prevent cities from understanding how different systems affect one another. For example, electric vehicles may reduce road emissions, but if power grids are not prepared, electricity demand could rise sharply and increase dependence on fossil fuels. Similarly, traffic systems designed only to reduce travel time may encourage more car use and increase pollution instead of lowering it. The study argues that cities can no longer focus only on speed and efficiency. Instead, urban management systems must consider environmental and social impacts at the same time. The Rise of the Smart-City-Brain The proposed Smart-City-Brain framework aims to connect all
May 25, 2026 · via devdiscourse.com
The Energy Story of Empyrion's New Data Centre in Bangkok Empyrion Digital has begun construction of a new data centre in Bangkok, as surging demand for AI compute and cloud services drives a wave of energy-intensive infrastructure development across Southeast Asia. The Singapore-headquartered developer and operator is building the 20MW facility, designated TH1, in Bang Na, an area that is beginning to establish itself as a key connectivity hub in the Thai capital. Spanning more than 17,000 square metres, the site is expected to become operational in the third quarter of 2027. The project marks Empyrion's entry into the Thai market and reflects a broader regional trend in which operators are committing significant power capacity to meet growing hyperscale and enterprise cloud requirements. "The ground-breaking of TH1 represents an important milestone in Empyrion Digital's continued expansion across Asia," said Mark Fong, Empyrion's CEO. "Thailand is a strategic market and an increasingly vital hub for hyperscale, enterprise cloud and AI-driven workloads in Southeast Asia," he added. "Our investment underscores our commitment to delivering future-ready, AI-enabled digital infrastructure in locations where our customers are scaling and innovating." Power allocation and cooling technology Securing reliable power supply has been central to the development of TH1, with the facility having obtained its power allocation ahead of launch. The facility has been designed from the outset around the demands of AI workloads, which require substantially greater power density than conventional cloud infrastructure. To manage the resulting thermal loads, Empyrion Digital is deploying advanced liquid-cooling technology alongside traditional systems, with the aim of improving the facility's Power Usage Effectiveness (PUE). Liquid-cooling is becoming the preferred approach for operators running high-density computing equipment, where the heat generated per rack far exceeds what air-cooling systems can efficiently handle. Empyrion Digital has previously deployed Nortek DCC's StatePoint Liquid Cooling
May 25, 2026 · via energydigital.com
Shanghai hosts event to promote sustainable development in Pacific Rim cities More than 200 experts, industry leaders, and government and community representatives from 27 countries and regions across five continents gathered in Shanghai for the 9th Annual Association of Pacific Rim Universities (APRU) Sustainable Cities and Landscapes (SCL) Conference from Thursday through Sunday. Through in-depth discussions, participants explored innovative pathways for urban and landscape transformation in the face of global challenges, such as climate change, resource constraints, biodiversity loss, and urban-rural spatial transitions, at the event held at the School of Design, Shanghai Jiao Tong University. They engaged in deep discussions on topics such as sustainable design, ethical ecology, knowledge co-creation, urban renewal, and landscape transformation. Featuring forums, working groups, and student forums, the conference aimed to foster cross-disciplinary exchange and collaboration to promote sustainable development in Pacific Rim cities and inject new momentum into shaping a future where humans and nature coexist harmoniously. Also, the conference organized working groups covering topics like climate justice, landscape and human health, urban landscape biodiversity, human development and nature conservation, urban AI and smart cities, and public participation in age-friendly communities. The outcomes and consensus from each working group were presented in a white paper released during the closing ceremony of the event. Comprising 64 leading research universities from the Pacific Rim, APRU is dedicated to addressing significant regional challenges. - Shanghai hosts event to promote sustainable development in Pacific Rim cities - China sees surge in extreme rainfall as experts warn of El Nino impact - Morning mist turns Saihanba forest into landscape painting - Endangered relict gulls migrate to Hebei wetland - China targets 76 percent urban waste recycling rate by 2030 - Traditional Chinese medicine, but make it trendy
May 25, 2026 · via chinadaily.com.cn
Omni Directional Antenna Market Growth Accelerated by Smart Cities and Wireless Infrastructure Investments; Key Players: Cisco Systems, PCTEL, Huawei, Airgain According to a recent market study by The Insight Partners, the global omni directional antenna market is expected to witness steady growth during the forecast period owing to increasing deployment of 5G infrastructure, rising IoT adoption, and growing demand for reliable wireless communication systems across industries. The report states that the market was valued at US$ 519.76 million in 2024 and is projected to reach US$ 713.21 million by 2031, registering a CAGR of 4.7% during 2025-2031.Get Sample Report- https://www.theinsightpartners.com/sample/TIPRE00041023?utm_source=OpenPR&utm_medium=10310 For instant assistance or inquiries, please contact us at: sales@theinsightpartners.com Omni-directional antennas are increasingly becoming critical components in wireless communication infrastructure as they provide 360-degree signal coverage without requiring precise alignment. These antennas are widely deployed in telecommunications, industrial automation, smart city projects, transportation systems, public Wi-Fi infrastructure, and IoT networks. Their ease of installation, broad-area coverage, and ability to support mobile environments make them highly suitable for modern communication ecosystems. Key Growth Drivers The growing adoption of IoT devices and smart infrastructure projects is one of the major factors driving the omni directional antenna market. Smart homes, industrial automation systems, agriculture monitoring platforms, transportation systems, and connected urban infrastructure require uninterrupted wireless communication, increasing demand for reliable omni-directional antennas. Another major growth driver is the rapid expansion of 5G networks globally. Telecom operators are investing heavily in next-generation wireless infrastructure to improve network coverage and connectivity. Omni-directional antennas support wide-area communication and are increasingly being integrated into 5G base stations, enterprise wireless systems, and public connectivity infrastructure. The industrial and transportation sectors are also contributing significantly to market growth. Manufacturing plants, logistics hubs, connected vehicles, and automated industrial systems require stable real-time communication systems. Omni-directional antennas support continuous connectivity
May 25, 2026 · via openpr.com
Smart Elevator Market Trends: IoT Integration, Energy Efficiency & Forecast to 2034 How AI-powered automation, predictive maintenance systems, and smart building integration are transforming operational efficiency and passenger experience in the smart elevator market According to IMARC Group's latest research publication, The global smart elevator market size reached USD 32.7 Billion in 2025. Looking forward, IMARC Group expects the market to reach USD 62.5 Billion by 2034, exhibiting a growth rate (CAGR) of 7.25% during 2026-2034, exhibiting steady growth driven by rapid urbanization and population growth, increasing focus on sustainability and energy efficiency, significant technological advancements and innovation, growing urban mobility challenges, and increasing aging population and accessibility requirements. How AI is Reshaping the Future of the Smart Elevator Market - IoT Integration and Predictive Maintenance: The integration of Internet of Things (IoT) sensors within smart elevator systems is fundamentally transforming how building operators manage vertical transportation infrastructure. These sensors collect real-time data on elevator usage, performance metrics, and environmental conditions, enabling remote monitoring and data-driven insights that optimize operational efficiency. By leveraging IoT connectivity, facility managers can detect anomalies in mechanical systems before they escalate into failures, reducing unplanned downtime significantly. Predictive maintenance capabilities driven by continuous sensor data allow for proactive scheduling of service interventions, extending the lifespan of elevator components and reducing the frequency of costly emergency repairs across commercial, residential, and institutional buildings. - Machine Learning for Performance Optimization: Machine learning algorithms are playing an increasingly critical role in advancing the capabilities of the smart elevator market by enabling real-time analysis of vast datasets collected from sensors and historical usage patterns. These algorithms identify patterns in passenger demand, optimize elevator dispatching, and predict maintenance requirements with a degree of accuracy that manual systems cannot achieve. By processing data from thousands of elevator journeys, machine learning models
May 25, 2026 · via vocal.media
ASHGABAT, Turkmenistan, May 25. Turkmenistan and the United Nations held a high-level roundtable on development of smart and sustainable cities as part of the “White City Ashgabat 2026” international exhibition and conference, Trend reports via the press service of the Turkmen government.
The session, titled “From Global Dialogue to Practical Implementation: Sustainable, Inclusive and Smart Cities,” brought together representatives of UN agencies, development banks, diplomatic missions, municipal authorities, urban planning experts, and youth organizations.
Participants discussed integrated urban planning models, financing of resilient infrastructure, energy-efficient city systems, low-carbon public transport, digital municipal services, and development of clean energy solutions for urban areas.
The discussions also focused on the economic role of cities in regional integration and climate adaptation, with participants emphasizing the importance of coordinated development of transport, housing, utilities, and digital infrastructure.
May 25, 2026 · via trend.az
Compassionate and smart cities complicit in their history of assisting the creation of systemic issues for those of us “down the road” (segregation through redlining, environmental racism through concentrated industrial zones, gentrification and displacement through urban renewal projects, etc.) are working to reverse their past ill deeds. Road infrastructure is another area that needs fixing. By design, many Webster streets are wide, provide no safe passage for all types of transportation, encourage automobile speeding and are unsafe for all. Webster spent a great deal of time and effort with a tremendous amount of community input to adopt the city’s current comprehensive plan. The plan is aspirational … what our community wants. Pillar #6 of the plan is “Complete Streets for All.” A Complete Streets Policy provides a framework for planning, designing and operating roadways that safely and comfortably accommodate all users, regardless of their age, ability or mode of transportation. This includes pedestrians, cyclists, motorists and public transit riders of all ages and abilities. The South Elm project is a perfect example of “Complete Streets,” and one of our first chances to put aspirations of the community (comprehensive plan) into action. Not moving forward with this project would be a travesty. Clark Hotaling Webster Groves
May 25, 2026 · via timesnewspapers.com
SINGAPORE, May 25, 2026 – Google Cloud today announced expanded collaborations with Enterprise Singapore (EnterpriseSG), Indonesia’s Ministry of Communication and Digital Affairs (Komdigi), the Vietnam National Innovation Center (NIC), and the Startup and Innovation Hub of Ho Chi Minh City (SIHUB), establishing an AI startup innovation corridor in Southeast Asia, and from the region to Silicon Valley. Google for Startups Accelerator: Southeast Asia is a new cross-border initiative that empowers founders to develop and commercialize proprietary agentic AI products. By offering integrated engineering and go-to-market (GTM) partnerships with Google Cloud, it creates a pathway for Southeast Asia-based AI startups to scale internationally. The initiative was launched during Google for Startups Sprint, a one-day event at Google’s Asia Pacific headquarters that connects startups with Singapore-based investors and government leaders. The event showcased AI startups from the Google for Startups alumni network—a community of thousands of founders across 85 countries who have benefited from Google for Startups Accelerator programs. Since 2018, such accelerators have helped more than 200 early-stage startups in Southeast Asia build new products, raise US$6.6 billion in funding, and create 11,300 jobs. They have facilitated scaled customer acquisition or new market entry for these startups, including Advance, Analitica, Atlas, BenKon, Betterdata, Buymed, Cosmos Innovation, DayaTani, DeafTawk, Docosan (now part of DiaB), Drylab, Fundiin, Genestory, GIMO, Giztix, Good Doctor, H3 Zoom, HD, HealthMetrics, Igloo, Kata.ai, Konigle, Lytehouse, Mamibabi, MHub, Nexmedis, MagicPort, Noice, Pand.ai, Pints AI, Portcast, Sehati TeleCTG, Simplize, Speedback, Speedoc, Talenox, TopCV, Transparently, Trialo, Unravel Carbon, Unicorn Labs, and Wela. Sami Kizilbash, Head of Developer Ecosystems, Asia Pacific, Google Cloud, said: “Building on this success, Google for Startups Accelerator: Southeast Asia aims to serve Seed to Series B AI startups across industries and six countries1, with EnterpriseSG, Komdigi, and NIC and SIHUB providing additional tailored support for startups from
May 25, 2026 · via googlecloudpresscorner.com
The recent and inaugural International Palm Oil Millers Conference (IPOMC) 2026, organised by the Incorporated Society of Planters, carried a message too clear to miss: palm oil milling — and indeed the wider plantation value chain — can no longer afford to stand beside the mill, wiping its brow, waiting for the next compliance circular to arrive. This is no small corner of industry. Malaysia alone has about 446 palm oil mills, while Indonesia has well over 1,000 mills, with its milling footprint still expanding alongside the scale and complexity of its plantation sector. The conversation is shifting. Not always loudly, not always evenly, but unmistakably. It was moving beyond mere processing and paperwork towards value-driven modernisation, environmental, social and governance (ESG) discipline, regulatory readiness, business resilience, talent renewal and technological innovation. In short, the mill is no longer just where fruit becomes oil. It is increasingly where efficiency, credibility, sustainability and future competitiveness are won — or quietly lost. Amid rising costs, labour pressure and sharper scrutiny from buyers and regulators, the old idea of plantation and milling excellence is being steadily reinvented. It is no longer enough for an estate merely to harvest fruit well, or for a mill merely to process it efficiently. The industry must now measure better, prove more, waste less, respond faster, trace further, train differently and attract the next generation into work that still runs on palms, people, steel, steam and increasingly, data. It must be said, with a small smile, that “smart” has become one of the most hardworking words in modern industry. We now have smart cities, smart homes, smart farms, smart dashboards, smart sensors, smart phones and, naturally, smart mills. The word is used so freely that even a kettle with a blinking light may begin to feel overqualified. In
May 25, 2026 · via theedgemalaysia.com
Democracy is not a static thing. It is constantly being made and reshaped by every possible force. In the twentieth century, the idea of self-governance by the people was threatened by new shifts in media, as radio and then television emerged, followed by the early internet at the end of the millennium. These shifts in technology happened alongside war, disease and economic unsettlement, leaving people trying to make sense of a society moving faster than it ever had before. AI has arrived at another such moment, bringing with it a technological revolution unlike anything we have seen before. It is a fundamentally different kind of technology, one that can operate outside of direct human control and using levers that humans can no longer understand or see. If politics is the art of making things possible, AI, through algorithms and generative forms, has added a kind of unknowable alchemy to that process. As with past shifts, this has required a new generation of scholars, writers, critics, and advocates to emerge as society grapples with this question of the impact of AI on democracy. Among them is Northeastern University’s Beth Simone Noveck, who is also chief AI strategist for the US state of New Jersey. Noveck’s Reboot is a serious book about a real problem. It is also, in important ways, the wrong book for this moment. It looks at AI as an institutional problem of democracy, not a framing I had encountered in any meaningful way before, and certainly not from someone with the experience and knowledge to speak with real authority. The book is essentially a cross-stitch of case studies showing how AI can be implemented in the public sector to improve service delivery and help citizens engage more meaningfully with a government that has grown monstrously in its remit
May 25, 2026 · via insidestory.org.au
Pakistani PM urges new steps to enhance relations By ZHAO JIA in Beijing and CHEN YE in Hangzhou | CHINA DAILY | Updated: 2026-05-25 07:54 Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif called on Sunday for turning the growing momentum in Pakistan-China cooperation into concrete agreements and real investment, as the two countries mark the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations and seek to expand practical collaboration in industry, investment and the digital economy. Speaking at the Pakistan-China B2B Investment Conference in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province, Sharif said that practical cooperation between the two countries is making positive progress and should now move toward faster implementation. Pakistan is ready to deepen cooperation with China in areas including special economic zones, industrial development, infrastructure, rural development, water resources, skills training and employment promotion, he said. Sharif noted that China's development experience and investment capacity are of great significance to Pakistan, which has a young population and hopes to strengthen skills training, education cooperation and capacity building. Pakistan will work to create more convenient conditions for Chinese investors, including through better infrastructure, improved regulatory arrangements and one-window services, he added. The business event brought together over 500 leading enterprises from China and Pakistan, representing sectors such as e-commerce, financial technology, artificial intelligence, gaming and animation, agriculture and battery energy storage systems. Sources at the event indicated that Hangzhou was selected as the venue due to its reputation as a premier technological innovation hub in China. The conference aims to enhance targeted business matchmaking and investment cooperation in industrial technologies between Chinese and Pakistani companies across key sectors. Pakistan sent to the event a high-profile delegation comprising several senior government ministers. Pakistani Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar said the conference reflected their shared commitment to deeper economic and trade cooperation. The two countries'
May 24, 2026 · via global.chinadaily.com.cn
About
Press
Copyright
Contact us
Creators
Advertise
Developers
Terms
Privacy
Policy & Safety
How YouTube works
Test new features
NFL Sunday Ticket
© 2026 Google LLC
May 24, 2026 · via youtube.com
NASA says it will run a competition for the next contract to manage and operate its federally funded research and development centre at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) in Southern California, ending decades of sole-source awards to the California Institute of Technology (Caltech). Caltech has managed JPL since the laboratory’s origins in the 1930s. NASA said management and operations contracts have been awarded on a sole-source basis since JPL was transferred from the U.S. Army to NASA in 1958. According to NASA, growth in the U.S. space economy suggests there may now be a viable competitive market for elements of JPL’s programmatic and institutional operations. The agency said competing the contract would allow it to assess alternative management approaches, including potential impacts on mission performance, innovation, and cost and operational efficiency, in line with federal competition requirements. NASA said the move is part of broader governmentwide efforts to “find efficiencies, strengthen performance, and drive mission outcomes faster and more affordably.” “The Jet Propulsion Laboratory has delivered some of the most extraordinary scientific and engineering achievements in NASA’s history,” said NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman. “As America’s space economy evolves, we have a responsibility to the American people and the scientific community to evaluate how we can execute faster, operate more efficiently, and continue to deliver world-class science and engineering at the highest level. The decision to compete this contract reflects NASA’s commitment to strong stewardship of taxpayer resources and positions Jet Propulsion Laboratory to continue driving world-changing scientific discovery and technological innovation for decades to come.” NASA said it is committed to maintaining continuity for active and future missions throughout the procurement process and intends to keep the FFRDC’s existing physical location. The agency said the approach aligns with practices in other parts of the U.S. government, citing the Department of
May 24, 2026 · via spaceanddefense.io
Beyon signs Kuwait fixed network deal - Details - Category: Optical & Fixed Networks - 1016 views Bahrain-headquartered global technology group Beyon has announced the signing of a public private partnership (PPP) commitment agreement with the Ministry of Communications in Kuwait and the Kuwait Authority for Partnership Projects (KAPP). The agreement formalises Beyon's selection (announced earlier this year) as the winning investor for the Fixed Telecommunications Network Development Project in Kuwait, a project considered one of the largest digital infrastructure initiatives in that country, with expected investments exceeding KWD825 million (about US$2.673 billion) over a 50-year partnership term. The project aims to develop, design, finance, build, operate and maintain a fixed telecommunications network through a modern operating model based on the establishment of a specialised company to manage and operate wholesale infrastructure in line with international standards. This presumably means comprehensive upgrades to the existing network. Indeed, Beyon explains that the project will involve a comprehensive re-engineering of Kuwait’s national telecommunications network, including the development of the last-mile access network, modernisation of transport and backhaul networks, development of next generation network (NGN) systems, and the gradual decommissioning of the legacy copper network, paving the way for a more efficient, reliable, and sustainable digital infrastructure. As Eng. Mishal Al-Zaid, Acting Undersecretary of the Ministry of Communications, explains, the project represents a comprehensive re-engineering of Kuwait’s fixed telecommunications network and transitioning it toward a modern operating model based on an independent and professional infrastructure capable of supporting the requirements of digital growth over the coming decades. The project also includes a commitment by the project company to provide high-speed fibre connectivity to 90% of plots within the first five years of the project, supported by technical capabilities enabling symmetrical speeds of up to 10Gbps. This will enhance Kuwait’s ability to support cloud
May 24, 2026 · via developingtelecoms.com
Gauteng municipalities are beginning to show measurable improvements under the province’s Local Government Turnaround Strategy (LGTAS), though debt, water losses and infrastructure failures continue to weigh heavily on service delivery. Gauteng co-operative governance & traditional affairs and infrastructure development MEC Jacob Mamabolo on Sunday provided a progress report on the implementation of the strategy, alongside members of mayoral committees from municipalities across the province. The briefing, held under the theme “Building Gauteng as a Smart City Region through Integration, Innovation and Digital Solutions”, focused on progress made since the October 2024 Local Government Turnaround Summit. Mamabolo said the strategy was aimed at strengthening municipal capacity, improving accountability and using integrated planning to address persistent service delivery failures. “As directed by the president, we must build sustainable capacity not only within local government, but across the province, to effectively respond to the service delivery challenges affecting our communities,” Mamabolo said. “We need to ensure that organs of state have the necessary institutional capacity to address these issues in a sustainable manner.” The province also introduced the Gauteng Smart City Performance Monitor, a real-time dashboard designed to track key performance indicators across all 11 municipalities. The dashboard will monitor areas including governance, financial management, infrastructure delivery, climate resilience, disaster preparedness and service delivery. The province says it will also allow residents to access municipal performance data and track progress in their own communities. Integrated technology platforms, including CCTV networks, the LIMIT land invasion monitoring system and smart water management dashboards, form part of the province’s broader digital transformation programme. Mamabolo said the use of intergovernmental relations structures was intended to improve co-ordination between national, provincial and local government. “What we are doing through our intergovernmental relations structures is precisely to ensure greater integration and co-ordination so that when we commit to resolving
May 24, 2026 · via businessday.co.za
On 24 May, the capital of Turkmenistan — Ashgabat — will host the opening of the XXV International Exhibition and Conference White City Ashgabat 2026, held in celebration of the 145th anniversary of the white-marble capital of independent and permanently neutral Turkmenistan. Held under the theme “Architecture. Innovation. Sustainable Development”, the forum will serve as a major international platform for discussing modern approaches to urban development, architecture, construction, industry, energy and infrastructure. White City Ashgabat 2026 is expected to bring together more than 800 delegates from 55 countries, including representatives of government institutions, international organisations, financial institutions, architecture and engineering companies, investors, technology leaders and the wider business community. As part of the international exhibition, more than 180 companies will showcase products, technologies and modern solutions across construction, industry, energy, urban development, technology and services. The exhibition will create broad opportunities for business engagement, B2B meetings, presentations, exchange of expertise and the establishment of new partnerships. The forum is being held in the year of a significant milestone — the 145th anniversary of Ashgabat — giving this year’s event particular symbolic importance. In recent years, the Turkmen capital has gained broad international recognition as a modern city distinguished by its unique architectural identity, developed infrastructure and consistent implementation of contemporary urban planning solutions. The programme covers a wide range of issues related to the future of modern cities. Discussions will focus on sustainable urban development, modern construction technologies, industrial production, urban energy systems, digital infrastructure, investment and international cooperation. A particularly significant part of the programme will be the United Nations High-Level Roundtable “From Global Dialogue to Local Action: Advancing Sustainable, Inclusive and Smart Cities”, which will add an important international institutional dimension to the forum. At a time when sustainable urbanisation, infrastructure development and environmental priorities are playing an
May 24, 2026 · via turkmenistan.gov.tm
Stay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram Former chief financial officer (CFO) of Chandigarh Smart City Limited (CSCL), Nalini Malik, who is lodged in Model Jail, Burail, in connection with the alleged Rs 116.84-crore funds misappropriation case, has moved an application before the Special CBI Court seeking participation in the inquiry of the case. Special CBI Judge Bhawna Jain has issued notice to the CBI for May 27, the date already fixed in the matter. The application, dated May 14, was forwarded to the court by the Deputy Superintendent, Model Jail, Chandigarh, through jail warder Vijay. As per the court order, the application has been moved on behalf of accused-applicant Nalini Malik “seeking participation in the inquiry of the instant case” for “effective inquiry”. The case, earlier registered as FIR No. 2 dated March 9, is now being investigated by the CBI. The court ordered that the application be registered as an interlocutory application. “Notice of the above said application be issued to the CBI for May 27, 2026, the date already fixed,” the court said. Malik was arrested after her alleged role surfaced in the Smart City funds case. The matter pertains to alleged misappropriation of funds of CSCL, which were deposited with IDFC First Bank. The case was initially investigated by Chandigarh Police before being transferred to the CBI on the orders of the Ministry of Home Affairs. According to the allegations in the case, funds lying in the bank accounts of Chandigarh Smart City Limited were to be transferred to the Municipal Corporation (MC) after the Smart City project ended. However, it has been alleged that bank officials, in conspiracy with others, diverted the funds through shell companies and invested the money in real estate. The investigation had earlier alleged that
May 24, 2026 · via indianexpress.com
The “Hue – Plastic Smart City in Central Viet Nam” project, after five years, has helped prevent 933.6 tonnes of plastic waste from leaking into the natural environment, with household solid waste sorting-at-source rolled out across all wards and communes of Hue city. The results were highlighted at a seminar reviewing the project’s implementation during the 2021–2026 period, jointly organised on May 23 by the municipal People’s Committee and the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) Viet Nam. Launched in 2021 with funding from the Norwegian people through WWF-Norway and WWF-Viet Nam, the project aims to help Hue protect rivers, wetlands and coastal ecosystems from plastic pollution while building the city into a model plastic-reduced urban area in central Viet Nam. The project followed a roadmap built around five key objectives: improving policies and strengthening stakeholder engagement; reducing plastic waste generation; minimising waste leakage during collection and transportation; increasing collection and recycling rates; and improving waste treatment and disposal. Through waste sorting-at-source programmes and intervention activities, more than 750 tonnes of organic waste were collected and turned into compost, while over 4,401 tonnes of waste, including nearly 823 tonnes of plastic waste, were collected from river basins. In education, the plastic-waste-free school model was implemented at 190 schools across Hue, helping spread green living messages to hundreds of thousands of students, teachers and parents. The project also strongly promoted plastic reduction in tourism, with hundreds of tourism and service businesses committing to cutting plastic use. Plastic-free tours and community-based tourism destinations were developed, while waiting stations combined with free drinking water refill points were installed to encourage residents and visitors to limit single-use plastics. At the same time, the project mobilised the participation of more than 100 organisations and associations, along with 331 businesses, in implementing plastic reduction initiatives. Hundreds
May 24, 2026 · via en.nhandan.vn