Engineers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology have developed an artificial intelligence tool capable of generating plausible extreme weather scenarios without being trained on historical examples of similar disasters. The tool was developed by mechanical engineering graduate student Kai Chang and Professor Themis Sapsis. It creates maps of events that have never been recorded in a particular region but remain statistically possible. Each map includes estimates of the event’s potential intensity, duration and geographical reach. Modelling Extreme Events With No Historical Precedent Sapsis holds the William I. Koch Professorship in Mechanical and Ocean Engineering at MIT. Both researchers are affiliated with the MIT Center for Computational Science and Engineering, while Sapsis also holds an appointment with the MIT Institute for Data, Systems, and Society. The researchers presented their method, called Extreme Event Aware or η-learning, in a paper published in Nature Communications on August 20. Conventional risk models generally rely on datasets containing previous examples of extreme events. Insurers, urban planners and electricity-grid operators use these models to estimate what a once-in-a-century storm could look like in a specific location. Such systems typically identify the conditions that produced earlier disasters and then project comparable patterns into the future. According to the researchers, this limits their ability to model events more severe than anything included in the historical record. The new approach instead seeks to estimate the possible scale and impact of rare disasters that have never occurred before. Combining Statistical Indicators With Spatial Data The algorithm uses two main types of information. The first consists of point statistics that describe how frequently a particular level of intensity occurs in a dataset, such as the maximum rainfall recorded anywhere on a map. The second consists of spatial maps showing how the effects of an event vary across different locations. By learning
Aug 30, 2026 · via entarabi.com
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Aug 30, 2026 · via koreabizwire.com
Why It Matters A Congressional Research Service analysis of TikTok's restructuring highlights persistent congressional questions about PRC ties and influence despite the platform's shift to majority-U.S. ownership. TikTok serves 82 million daily active U.S. users, making it a significant platform for data collection and potential influence. The divestiture framework approved by President Donald Trump left ByteDance retaining a 19.9% stake in the joint venture. ByteDance also continues to own the underlying intellectual property for TikTok's algorithm, licensing a copy to the new U.S.-majority-owned entity. Some Members of Congress have raised questions about ongoing PRC ties and influence over TikTok given ByteDance's retained stake and continued ownership of the underlying algorithm. The Trump administration has also reportedly deliberated whether to allow PRC firm Tencent to retain holdings in U.S. and foreign gaming companies, including Epic Games, Riot Games and Supercell, highlighting broader congressional concerns about PRC digital firms' investments and operations. The Big Picture The report maps how China's digital giants emerged in the late 1990s with the help of PRC government policies that restricted U.S. and other foreign internet services firms from operating in China while promoting alternative PRC competitors. Alibaba began in 1999 as a competitor to Amazon, while Alipay formed in 2003 to compete with PayPal. ByteDance refined an algorithm from its news aggregator business to launch Douyin in 2016, which became a predecessor and companion PRC application to TikTok. PRC policies prioritize the role digital platforms play in China's economic competitiveness, development of emerging technologies and global projects in sectors including communications, smart cities, financial services and logistics. A firm backed by China's internet regulator holds a 1% stake in Douyin Information Service Co. Ltd., which holds licenses to some of ByteDance's core PRC technology. The investment gives the government-backed firm a board seat. ByteDance still owns
Aug 30, 2026 · via legis1.com
Conceptual diagram of AI Photo: VCG Editor's Note: As China expands its role in global AI innovation, questions are growing over how new technologies can benefit developing countries and how international cooperation can keep the global AI ecosystem open, inclusive and interoperable. Sam Daws (Daws), senior advisor to the Oxford Martin AI Governance Initiative at the University of Oxford, founding director of Multilateral AI, and former First Officer to UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan, spoke with the Global Times (GT) about China's contribution to AI capacity-building and governance, as well as the scope for China-West cooperation on AI safety and standards.GT: AI, robotics and innovative medicine are becoming increasingly prominent areas of innovation in China. What does this reveal about China's evolving role in global innovation, and what opportunities could it create for other countries?Daws: China has invested significantly in innovation in these new technologies, with the result that it is now the global leader in embodied AI applications in manufacturing and robotics. The diffusion of these technologies outside China has the potential both to lower the cost for developing countries and to help create interoperable standards, so that a robot in one country works seamlessly with an algorithm from another country. The new World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organization (an independent intergovernmental organization established in Shanghai in July 2026 to promote global AI cooperation and governance) can contribute to international capacity-building, embodied AI standard-setting and AI adoption, and help the UN achieve the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030. GT: You previously noted that China's affordable, open-source and full-stack AI solutions could help developing countries bridge the digital divide. Where do you see the greatest potential for Chinese AI to make advanced technologies more accessible and responsive to different languages, cultures and local needs?Daws: At the World AI Conference in Shanghai in
Aug 30, 2026 · via globaltimes.cn
The tour of Hangzhou was quite revealing and enriching. As I noted in the first part of this experience, we had 12 lectures. But it wasn’t just lectures. Beyond sitting in classrooms and listening to erudite instructors and professors, we had field visits. Each visit revealed something new, something unique, and sometimes what appeared to be an opening to a vista of opportunities. We had 12 field visits, and each was eye-opening. But some left particularly lasting impressions on us. One of them was our visit to the Jiufeng Waste Incineration Plant in Nanfeng Village, Yuhang District, Hangzhou. It was eye-opening. We saw waste utilisation, high-standard environmental protection treatment and smart operations working together in a way that was almost surreal. We watched in awe. The plant is regarded as a global benchmark for addressing what is commonly called the “NIMBY” problem—Not In My Backyard. Rather than hide a waste facility away from the public, the plant has been designed partly as a tourist attraction and education centre, complete with a 3D cinema, a viewing corridor and even a café overlooking the furnace. We also learnt that its emission standards are publicly displayed and are designed to surpass stringent European Union requirements. But two things stood out for me: the smart operations and the philosophy of turning waste into resources. This is how the system works. The bottom ash—the leftover grit from the combustion process—is processed into eco-bricks and road-base materials for construction. Fly ash is stabilised with chelating agents and safely disposed of or utilised in cement production. Heat generated from incineration is converted into electricity, powering tens of thousands of homes, while excess steam is piped to nearby factories for industrial use. Essentially, only a small fraction of inert residue ends up in landfill. It is a circular
Aug 30, 2026 · via businessday.ng
The Rest Of Asia Pacific Construction Glass Market was valued at $5474.4 Million in 2024 and projected to reach to $6904.2 Million by 2029, representing a compound annual growth rate of 4.8%. The Rest Of Asia Pacific construction glass market is poised for sustained expansion through 2029, driven by accelerating urbanization, infrastructure development initiatives, and growing commercial real estate investments across emerging economies. | Market Size in | USD 26.32 MN | | Market Forecast in | | | CAGR | | | Forecast Period | | | Units Considered | Value (USD MN) | Rest Of Asia Pacific construction glass market valued at USD 5,474.4 million in 2024, demonstrating strong regional demand across emerging economies and developing infrastructure projects. Market projected to reach USD 6,904.2 million by 2029 with a steady CAGR of 4.8%, outpacing global average growth and reflecting accelerating construction activity across the region. Rapid urbanization and infrastructure modernization in Rest Of Asia Pacific countries are fueling demand for high-performance construction glass in residential, commercial, and industrial applications. Rising commercial construction activity and government investments in smart cities and infrastructure development create significant expansion opportunities for construction glass manufacturers in the region. | Report Metric | Details | |---|---| | Base Year | 2024 | | Fastest Growing Segment | COMMERCIAL (Application) | | Forecast Period | 2024-2029 | | Growth Rate | CAGR of 5.2% from 2024 to 2029 | | Largest Segment | FLOAT GLASS PROCESS (Manufacturing Process) | | Market Size Base Year (Billions) | ~USD 111.99 (2024) | | Revenue Forecast (Billions) | ~USD 144.3 (2029) | | Segments Covered | Type, Chemical Composition, Manufacturing Process, Application, Fiber Type, Applications | 6 segment dimensions are covered across the global market. Rest Of Asia Pacific's construction glass market is valued at USD 5,474.4 million
Aug 30, 2026 · via marketsandmarkets.com
Anyspace? Whatever. July 11–September 27, 2026 Detroit MI 48201 United States Hours: Wednesday and Saturday–Sunday 11am–5pm Thursday–Friday 11am–8pm T +1-313-832-6622 info@mocadetroit.org How do we imagine and shape the futures increasingly being designed for us? In Anyspace? Whatever., rootoftwo examines the technological systems that quietly structure contemporary civic life; from surveillance networks and algorithmic decision-making to the data infrastructures embedded within so-called “smart cities.” Rather than treating these systems as invisible background conditions, the exhibition brings them into public view, inviting visitors to consider their social, political, and ethical implications. The exhibition takes its title from French philosopher Gilles Deleuze’s concept of the “any-space-whatever,” a term later adapted by urban critic Adam Greenfield to describe the abstract, frictionless environments envisioned in corporate and policy-driven narratives of the smart city. For rootoftwo, this “anyspace” represents a future in which public life is increasingly mediated by data extraction, automation, and forms of technological governance that often operate beyond public scrutiny. Yet Anyspace? Whatever. is not simply a critique. Unfolding across multiple scales of participation through tabletop games, computer-generated films, an archive, prints, sculptural installations, and architectural proposals, the exhibition functions as a forum for dialogue; moving between cautionary visions of technologically managed futures and more participatory models rooted in collective agency and cooperation. By creating space for curiosity, ambivalence, critique, and open speculation, Anyspace? Whatever. invites visitors to reconsider the relationship between technology and public life, and to imagine how more accountable, democratic, and community-centered futures might be built together. rootoftwo, the creative practice of Cézanne Charles (USA) and John Marshall (UK), uses public works, immersive spaces, and artifacts to challenge standard narratives of progress. Their work is driven by the belief that "under-imagined futures have consequences," exploring the tension between innovation and societal impact. By questioning technologies like AI and robotics, they
Aug 30, 2026 · via e-flux.com
About US Founded in 2015, the Institute for Smarter Cities, Spaces, and Health was created to bring together expertise in sensing, communication, and intelligent systems across Florida Atlantic University. Over the past decade, the institute has grown into a nationally recognized hub for interdisciplinary research, innovation and real-world technology deployment. By connecting researchers, students, industry partners and public-sector collaborators, the institute transforms data into actionable insights and intelligent systems that address complex challenges facing society. Our work spans fundamental research, applied engineering, workforce development and large-scale deployments operating in real-world environments. Our Focus Areas Smarter Cities We develop technologies that help communities become more connected, resilient and sustainable. From intelligent infrastructure and transportation systems to environmental monitoring and disaster preparedness, our work supports data-driven decision-making that improves the places where people live and work. Smarter Spaces We create intelligent environments that enhance how people interact with the built world. Through advances in connected systems, artificial intelligence, autonomy and digital infrastructure, we design technologies that make spaces more responsive, efficient and adaptable. Smarter Health We advance technologies that improve health, wellness and quality of life. By combining sensing, data analytics, engineering and human-centered design, our researchers develop solutions that support healthier individuals and communities across all stages of life. How We Work The institute serves as a collaborative hub that connects expertise across disciplines and sectors. Our researchers work alongside industry leaders, government agencies, healthcare organizations and community partners to address real-world challenges through innovation and discovery. Whether deploying sensor networks that strengthen disaster preparedness, developing intelligent infrastructure for connected communities, advancing healthcare technologies, or creating next-generation autonomous and AI-enabled systems, the institute is committed to translating research into meaningful impact. Through this work, we continue to advance Florida Atlantic University's mission of research excellence while helping shape smarter cities, spaces
Aug 30, 2026 · via fau.edu
RIYADH: The fifth annual international technology conference, LEAP, opens in Riyadh on Monday, bringing together innovators, startups and investors. With the theme “Into New Worlds,” it will highlight how emerging technologies are reshaping the way people live and work. Past editions have also served as platforms for major investment announcements. More than 1,000 speakers, 1,800 technology companies, 600 startups and 1,900 investors are set to converge on the Riyadh Exhibition and Convention Center in Malham, the Saudi Press Agency reported. Organized by the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, the Saudi Federation for Cybersecurity, Programming and Drones and Tahaluf, the event is backed by global events company Informa and the Events Investment Fund. This year’s edition builds on Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s support for Saudi Arabia’s digital economy, technology and space sectors, and his commitment to empowering people and positioning the Kingdom as a global hub for technology, artificial intelligence and innovation, in line with Vision 2030. It also coincides with the Kingdom’s Year of Artificial Intelligence. The program will cover AI and advanced technologies, including DeepFest, alongside tracks focused on the latest innovations in finance, health, education, sports, smart cities, space, gaming and digital infrastructure. There will also be zones dedicated to building partnerships, sports technology, global innovations and live content creation, as well as platforms for announcing agreements and technology initiatives. Since its debut in 2022 the conference has expanded its international footprint, with the launch of LEAP East in Hong Kong aimed at linking technology and AI ecosystems between East and West. The Riyadh event aims to maximize technology’s economic and social impact while creating opportunities for Saudi talent. It will give students and entrepreneurs access to global innovations, international expertise, career opportunities and venture pathways, alongside live content and showcases of emerging technologies. Also involved
Aug 29, 2026 · via arabnews.pk
Nuclear Data Centres, PFAS & EV Energy: This Week’s Top 5 Electricity is the resource that forms the very foundation of modern civilisation, yet it is a minor miracle that energy systems function at all. From generation to transmission, from storage to trading, the economy behind today’s electricity market is remarkably convoluted. Every day brings a new set of questions that energy companies have to answer. How much electricity will people need tomorrow afternoon? Which power plants can help to meet that demand? Should we buy electricity from another company instead of generating it ourselves? How do we manage payments for these services? PCI Energy Solutions is a company that helps the energy sector answer these questions. In 1999, the Irish Government banned domestic nuclear power generation – a moratorium that has now lasted for almost three decades. At the time, Ireland had a population of less than four million and its energy demand was regarded as small enough to forgo the construction of nuclear power plants, which a sizeable proportion of Irish people regarded as dangerous and expensive. Now, in 2026, the Irish Government is reportedly considering overturning that ban, all because of an industry that scarcely existed in the country before the turn of the millennium. The industry in question is data centres. In the 21st century, Ireland has become an important base for many of the world’s largest tech companies, thanks to its low corporate tax rates and proximity to the EU. Per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances represent a material challenge for energy operators managing legacy contamination at industrial sites. The oil and gas sector confronts specific obligations connected to historical firefighting foam use, creating both regulatory and operational pressures that require immediate attention and strategic planning. A comprehensive report from Boston Consulting Group (BCG) and the Global
Aug 29, 2026 · via energydigital.com
KUALA LUMPUR: Selangor is moving towards becoming an artificial intelligence (AI)-powered state, with AI set to be integrated into government operations and public services to improve efficiency. State Islamic Affairs and Digital Innovation Committee chairman Dr Mohammad Fahmi Ngah said the next phase of the state's Smart City agenda would focus on using data and AI to shape policies and improve services. "Selangor completed 60 initiatives under its Smart City programme from 2016 to 2025, including the integration of applications and systems to monitor public assistance, as well as digital platforms for city management. "Under the Second Selangor Plan 2026-2030, we will move towards AI Cities, a leap that Selangor will try to lead." Fahmi said the move would complete the Smart City cycle by allowing data collected through existing systems and applications to be analysed and translated into policies, regulations and guidelines. "A city will become truly smart if data can be analysed and translated into policies, regulations and guidelines that are more appropriate for implementation." He said AI-powered systems would be used in government processes and public services by 2030, although the extent of implementation was still being explored. "I am optimistic that Selangor will have AI systems of this kind in use next year." Fahmi said the state needed more efficient ways to manage its services, with about 19,000 civil servants serving a state he described as 11 times larger than Singapore. He said AI could help automate government processes, analyse large amounts of data and provide faster guidance on the action required. The development of an AI City would require centralised digital infrastructure capable of collecting, storing and analysing data using graphics processing units and the latest AI technology. Fahmi said Selangor's 5G coverage, which stood at 97 per cent, would also provide an important foundation
Aug 29, 2026 · via nst.com.my
LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz met senior officials of the Chinese technology giant Huawei and discussed expanding cooperation in AI, digital infrastructure and smart public services as well as training 1,000 youth from Punjab as Huawei master trainers, while 300 women trainers will also receive AI training from the company. A statement said that the CM welcomed the company’s collaboration with Punjab and invited Huawei to invest in the Nawaz Sharif IT City. The two sides agreed to train 1,000 youth as Huawei master trainers, while 300 women trainers would also receive AI training. The meeting also reviewed a proposal to establish an artificial intelligence delivery unit in Punjab and discussed setting up six data centres, including a sovereign data centre at the Nawaz Sharif IT City. The participants also agreed to designate a focal person to improve coordination between Huawei and the government of Pakistan. Cooperation in smart cities, command centres, healthcare, education, agriculture and manufacturing was also discussed. The CM said that advancing Punjab in the field of AI was a top priority, adding that the province was among the most active regions in Pakistan and South Asia in adopting technology. “Talent development and inclusive access to technology are key pillars of Punjab’s strategy,” she said, adding that cloud computing, digital infrastructure and locally-developed AI models would be developed in the province. Meanwhile, the CM expressed grief over the loss of lives and damage to property caused by torrential rains and severe flooding in Nepal. Expressing solidarity with the people of Nepal, she said the people of Punjab stood with their Nepali brothers and sisters in this difficult hour. She prayed for the speedy recovery of the injured and early rehabilitation of families affected by the disaster. She said the Punjab government was ready to extend all
Aug 29, 2026 · via dawn.com
On August 25, Minister of Construction Tran Hong Minh and a Vietnamese delegation visited Korea Land and Housing Corporation (LH), which plays an important role in implementing South Korea’s policies on land management, urban and industrial infrastructure development, social housing and rental housing. The Vietnamese delegation and LH exchanged experience in planning, land development, investment mechanisms and long-term capital mobilisation for public housing, as well as the development and operation of social housing, identification of eligible beneficiaries and post-investment housing stock management. Minister Tran Hong Minh also spoke highly of LH’s experience in land development, new urban areas, smart cities, green urban development and other modern urban models. These are areas in which Vietnam seeks to strengthen cooperation and exchange experience amid accelerating urbanisation. He welcomed South Korean businesses to continue exploring investment opportunities in Vietnam, particularly in green urban development, smart cities, social housing and infrastructure. On the same day, Minister Tran Hong Minh and the delegation visited the Seoul Transport Operation & Information Service (TOPIS), where they were introduced to the city’s integrated traffic operation centre and its systems for collecting, connecting and analysing data and applying digital technologies to urban management. Minister of Construction Tran Hong Minh and the Vietnamese delegation visit the Seoul Transport Operation & Information Service (TOPIS). According to Minister Tran Hong Minh, smart urban development involves not only the application of individual technologies but also innovation in management methods and the development and integration of databases to improve forecasting, optimise the management of land, housing and infrastructure, and provide more comprehensive urban services. On August 26, Minister Tran Hong Minh held talks with Kim Yun-duk, South Korea’s Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport (MOLIT), focusing on cooperation in housing, urban development and digital transformation in urban management. The talks took place as cooperation
Aug 29, 2026 · via baoxaydung.vn
The city is focusing on building a digital government; developing digital infrastructure and smart cities through the deployment of the city's Information Operations Center (IOC); a shared data platform and socio -economic reporting system (LRIS); completing the connection of the administrative procedure information system with the National Public Service Portal and the VNeID platform… | | | Leaders of departments and agencies surveyed the operational status of the city's Integrated Operations Center (IOC) (located in Tran Bien ward). | Expedite the integration of data into the IOC Center. The city's IOC (Integrated Operations Center) integrates, utilizes, and visualizes data to support monitoring, tracking, and leadership in city management. The IOC system has developed dashboards to monitor, aggregate, and provide information to support the city's management and operations. According to the Department of Science and Technology (DST), departments and agencies have actively and proactively coordinated with the DST to integrate and synchronize data to the city's IOC, promptly serving the monitoring and direction work of the city's People's Committee leaders. As of mid-August 2026, the city's IOC had integrated and synchronized 118 data groups from 16 departmental-level units and 5 vertical sector units, with a total of 69 APIs (Application Programming Interfaces) connecting to specialized databases, 24 reporting forms on LRIS, and 25 Excel file templates using the Import Tool. Furthermore, through the coordinated implementation process, 75 new data sets from departments and agencies were received during the process of aggregation, analysis, processing, form design, and finalization before integration into the city's IOC. During the integration and synchronization of data to the city's IOC, data belonging to the commune and ward levels on the monitoring and operation systems (OCs) were also simultaneously decomposed. To date, the decomposition and handover training have been completed for 28 commune and ward OCs. At a
Aug 29, 2026 · via vietnam.vn
Dive Brief: - The U.S. Department of Transportation has proposed streamlining the process for state transportation departments and railroads to lease land alongside roads, tracks or utility tunnels to carry transmission wires, fiber optic lines, water pipelines and other essential utilities. - Revenues from the leases could fund repairs and upgrades for the roads, bridges, tunnels and railroads along the corridors, the DOT said in a Wednesday press release. The DOT will lead an interagency federal task force to expedite colocation in these corridors. - Through public-private partnerships, the program enables corridor managers to supply the infrastructure needs of electric transmission grid providers, hyperscalers, smart transportation systems and AI technology, the DOT said. Dive Insight: “Using existing transportation land instead of acquiring new private property reduces project costs and can leverage categorical environmental exemptions to bypass lengthy reviews,” the DOT said. The DOT is calling these projects “corridors of commerce.” The Transportation Construction Coalition, while supporting the concept, said in a statement that “the success of this strategy depends on the condition, capacity, and long-term maintenance of America’s transportation networks.” Uncertainty around whether Congress will reauthorize surface transportation funding by the Sept. 30 deadline “depends on the condition, capacity, and long-term maintenance of America’s transportation networks,” the TCC said. That legislation funds highways, bridges, mass transit and other transportation priorities over five years. While the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure passed a $580 billion bill in May, it has not moved forward in the Senate. Instead, the Senate passed a stopgap funding bill that would fund the government until Dec. 11. That bill would reduce public transit investment by 20% and passenger rail by 83% from current levels, according to the American Public Transportation Association. The House is expected to take it up when it returns, which is scheduled
Aug 28, 2026 · via smartcitiesdive.com
Figures Abstract The advancement of autonomous multi-robot systems is critical for addressing the mobility challenges within modern smart city environments. Distributed, acceleration-based controllers are designed and mathematically validated for a Segway swarm navigating cluttered, time-varying urban settings. A Lyapunov-based Control Scheme (LbCS) is utilized to develop a potential function governing collective swarm behavior. This function ensures target convergence, enforces formation cohesion, and prevents inter-agent collisions. It also dictates safe navigation around static geometric constraints (modeled as disks and lines) and the evasion of independent dynamic obstacles. System stability is formally proven, demonstrating asymptotic controllability and convergence to the desired equilibrium state. Numerical simulations verify the framework’s performance across four distinct scenarios, highlighting emergent reactive behaviors to moving entities. These results establish control strategies for the safe collective operation of non-holonomic robots, providing a theoretical foundation for future prototype development in smart city applications. Citation: Chand RP, Chand R, Lal K, Sharma B, Kumar SA (2026) Maximizing mobility: Distributed controllers of a Segway swarm for autonomous navigation in smart city environments. PLoS One 21(8): e0356369. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0356369 Editor: Jiapeng Liu, Qingdao University, CHINA Received: February 20, 2026; Accepted: August 3, 2026; Published: August 28, 2026 Copyright: © 2026 Chand et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited. Data Availability: Primary Repository (Full Data): The complete simulation results are available via DOI: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.19878531 and have been uploaded as Supporting Information. Funding: The author(s) received no specific funding for this work. Competing interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist. 1 Introduction The continuous expansion of modern infrastructure, particularly within the Smart City framework, necessitates highly adaptable micromobility solutions [1]. Global urbanization is steadily
Aug 28, 2026 · via journals.plos.org
The Tampa city council spent all day meeting yesterday about the Tampa Bay Rays stadium deal, but honestly they could have saved time and just voted first thing in the morning. Public speakers were split in their opinions — public speakers are always split — and as for councilmembers themselves, there was little actual discussion for most of the day, with elected officials mostly talking past each other, knowing that everyone’s vote was already decided going in. The only reason you drop a half-finished bill on legislators’ desks less than a week before the vote is to avoid robust public debate, waiting till you know you have a slim majority then calling a snap vote while you know you have a W. The final vote was 4-3 in favor, same as had been since councilmember Bill Carlson used the leverage of his being a swing vote to win effectively no concessions whatsoever while patting himself on the back for doing so. (WUSF claimed that the swing vote was councilmember Naya Young, but she’d already voted yes to the deal the first time it came up for a vote, leaving open the question of whether the NPR station doesn’t know what a swing vote is or just can’t remember as far back as March. The Tampa Bay Times, meanwhile, parroted Carlson’s line that Rays owner Patrick Zalupski will “cover” $100 million that previously would have come from city property taxes, even though Zalupski’s loan will still be repaid with city property taxes. This has not been a banner week for Tampa area journalism.) The closest the council came to open debate was at the tail end of the meeting, whcn councilmembers took turns giving statements. I didn’t listen to all of it, but did hear councilmember Luis Viera claim that two-thirds
Aug 28, 2026 · via fieldofschemes.com
HONG KONG, Aug. 28, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- EHang Holdings Limited ("EHang" or the "Company") (Nasdaq: EH), the world’s leading advanced air mobility (“AAM”) technology platform company, today announced that its proprietary EH216-S, a pilotless human-carrying electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, has successfully completed its first public flight at Hong Kong Cyberport. The flight marked the first public demonstration since the first phase of validation flights began in mid-August under the HKSAR Government’s Low-Altitude Economy “Regulatory Sandbox X” Trial Project (the “Project”). It also represents a significant milestone in the development of a three-dimensional low-altitude transportation network and the validation of regular operations across the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. (Image: EH216-S completes its first public flight in Hong Kong) The landmark flight was witnessed by distinguished government officials and industry leaders, including The Hon Michael Wong, Deputy Financial Secretary and Head of the Working Group on Developing Low Altitude Economy; Ms. Mable Chan, Secretary for Transport and Logistics; Ms. Clara Wong, Director-General of Civil Aviation; Mr. Wong Leung Pak, Matthew, Chairman of Kwoon Chung Bus Holdings Limited; Mr. Simon Chan, Chairman of Hong Kong Cyberport; Dr Rocky Cheng, Chief Executive Officer of Hong Kong Cyberport; as well as Mr. Zhao Wang, Chief Operating Officer of EHang; Mr. Conor Yang, Chief Financial Officer of EHang; and Ms. Xiaona Lee, China General Manager of EHang. (Image: Government officials and industry leaders witness the EH216-S’s first public flight in Hong Kong) At the event, Mr. Simon Chan, Chairman of Hong Kong Cyberport, and The Hon Michael Wong delivered remarks, congratulating the successful completion of the first public flight and highlighting the strategic significance of pilotless human-carrying aviation technology to Hong Kong’s development of new quality productive forces and smart city initiatives. (Image: EH216-S completes a smooth flight) During the demonstration,
Aug 28, 2026 · via markets.businessinsider.com
As public outcry over the proliferation of automated license plate reader systems grows and more cities cancel contracts with Flock Safety, states are stepping in. Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes announced Thursday that she will review automated license plate reader systems. “We need a statewide approach to this issue,” she said in a press release. Mayes will analyze how the technology has been used, how it impacts Arizonans’ privacy and whether it infringes on Fourth Amendment rights for a report she will deliver to the state legislature and the governor’s office. “Cities and towns across Arizona have been grappling with these questions on their own, and that's part of why this review is needed,” Richie Taylor, communications director for the Arizona attorney general’s office, said in a Thursday email to Smart Cities Dive. “Issues of constitutional rights and privacy are too great to be decided in isolation at the local level. These are questions that deserve a coordinated, statewide approach.” Earlier this month, South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley announced he is proposing legislation to ensure license plate readers are used solely for legitimate law enforcement purposes “without compromising individual rights,” Jackley said in a social media post that he is talking to legislators, law enforcement and other stakeholders about what should be in the bill. Governors are also weighing in. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said this week that license plate readers are “out of control.” He said he is reviewing New Hampshire laws that restrict use of the cameras in the state, according to the Wall Street Journal. “No one’s been stronger on law enforcement than me — but I don’t want to have this become a surveillance state,” he said in a Wednesday press conference. In an Aug. 7 letter to the Connecticut Police Officers Standards and Training
Aug 28, 2026 · via smartcitiesdive.com
Analogue Announces 2026 Interim Results HONG KONG, Aug 28, 2026 - (ACN Newswire) - Analogue Holdings Limited ('Analogue' or the 'Company', together with its subsidiaries, the 'Group') (stock code: 1977), a leading provider of electrical and mechanical ('E&M') engineering solutions, and information and communications technology services for smart cities, today announced its interim results for the six months ended 30 June 2026 (the 'Period') with interim contracts-in-hand continuing their record-setting performance, providing a solid foundation for the business over the next three years and beyond. Business Highlights - Interim contracts-in-hand surged by 34.9% to HK$17,649.3 million, attaining yet another record high - Revenue was HK$3,036.6 million, up by 5.7%, primarily driven by steady project execution in the Building Services and Environmental Engineering segments - Profit attributable to owners of the Company increased 88.1% to HK$152.0 million. The increase was partly attributable to the disposal of an approximately 3% equity stake in Nanjing Canatal Data-Centre Environmental Tech Co., Ltd.(Shanghai Stock Code: 603912) - The Group maintained a strong cash position, with bank balances and cash at HK$1,214.1 million - Interim dividend amounted to HK4.9 cents per share, with a year-on-year increase of more than 88% - Artificial Intelligence (AI) has been integrated into Analogue's interconnected smart ecosystem to create value for customers, by realising a smart platform for buildings, and advanced operational solutions for water and sewage treatment, as evidenced by the prestigious accolades across both the research and adoption categories at the inaugural Construction Industry Council AI Award 2026 and at the ASHRAE Region XIII Technology Award 2026 Chairman Dr Mak Kin Wah said, 'Building on our outstanding achievement of record-high contracts-in-hand in 2025, the Group maintained steady business performance in the first half of 2026. By integrating research, development and application of AI technologies, we have achieved optimised operations
Aug 28, 2026 · via tradingview.com