Data Conference The City of Charlotte proudly hosted its 2nd Annual Data Conference earlier this February, bringing together leaders, innovators, and community partners from across the region to explore how data drives smarter decisions and stronger communities. Our 2026 theme, Smarter Data. Smarter Communities., set the tone for a full day of learning and collaboration. The event began with networking and vendor showcases, followed by opening remarks from Ashley Brown of Slalom and Charlitta Hatch, Chief Data & Analytics Officer for the City of Charlotte, who shared the City’s vision for data strategy. Keynote speaker Rebecca Hefner, Director of Housing & Neighborhood Services, highlighted how resident data informs programs that strengthen neighborhoods. Later, Liz Morrell, Director of Public Policy Research at UNC Charlotte, discussed incorporating community voices into data governance and showcased tools like the Quality of Life Explorer and Regional Explorer as engagement resources. A dynamic panel featuring experts from Charlotte Water, Charlotte Douglas International Airport, and City Planning demonstrated how innovation and data are shaping infrastructure and service delivery across the city. Attendees then participated in breakout sessions, choosing from ten diverse topics ranging from equity-centered data governance and integrated data systems for healthy communities to AI-driven networking and security for smarter cities. Other sessions explored community-led research addressing gaps in marginalized neighborhoods and data-driven STEM workforce development. The day concluded with inspiring remarks from Ronnie Bryant, CIO of the Charlotte Hornets, and a community raffle. This event was made possible thanks to the generous support of our sponsors, Slalom, Salesforce via Carahsoft, Hewlett Packard Enterprise, T-Mobile, AWS, and Jabian, as well as the dedication of our City of Charlotte volunteers. We are excited to continue this tradition and look forward to welcoming you to the 2027 Charlotte Data Conference!
May 14, 2026 · via charlottenc.gov
Related Topics Articles View All Hover to load posts Articles View All Hover to load posts Articles View All Hover to load posts Articles View All Hover to load posts Articles View All Hover to load posts Articles View All Hover to load posts Articles View All Hover to load posts Resource Hubs Featured Resources Link to Best Practices for Deploying and Scaling Industrial AI Best Practices for Deploying and Scaling Industrial AI Artificial Intelligence (AI) is transforming industrial operations, helping organizations optimize workflows, reduce downtime, and enhance productivity. Different industry verticals leverage AI in unique ways. Link to The Center for Adaptive Edge Intelligence The Center for Adaptive Edge Intelligence Adaptive edge intelligence brings real-time decision-making to the point of data creation, whether from sensors, machines, or cameras. Link to The Value of Vehicle Electrification The Value of Vehicle Electrification Electric vehicles (EVs) present automakers with many design, engineering, and manufactu ring challenges. Link to Accelerating Manufacturing Digital Transformation with Industrial Connectivity and IoT Accelerating Manufacturing Digital Transformation with Industrial Connectivity and IoT Digital transformation is empowering industrial organizations to deliver sustainable innovation, disruption-proof products and services, and continuous operational improvement. Link to Smart Manufacturing for Automotive Smart Manufacturing for Automotive Leading a transportation revolution in autonomous, electric, shared mobility and connectivity with the next generation of design and development tools. Link to Center for Data Pipeline Automation Center for Data Pipeline Automation As businesses become data-driven and rely more heavily on analytics to operate, getting high-quality, trusted data to the right data user at the right time is essential. Link to Center for Automated Integration Center for Automated Integration The goal of automated integration is to enable applications and systems that were built separately to easily share data and work together, resulting in new capabilities and efficiencies that
May 14, 2026 · via rtinsights.com
The strategies used by Korean startups to enter the Japanese market are expanding beyond simple exports or subsidiary establishment to focus on Proof of Concept (PoC) linked with local conglomerates and urban projects. In particular, as Japan strengthens its urban testbeds centered on smart cities, mobility, and healthcare, opportunities for Korean startups to validate their technologies are also increasing. Amidst this trend, D.CAMP , a startup growth partner, has partnered with East Japan Railway Company (JR East), Japan's largest railway and urban development company, to support the entry of Korean startups into the Japanese market. On the 12th, D.CAMP operated the 'Startup OI Tokyo #SmartCity' program at 'LiSH (Link Scholars' Hub),' a startup hub located within 'Takanawa Gateway City' in Tokyo, Japan. This program was organized to apply the technologies of Korean startups to the local urban environment in Japan and to verify their commercialization potential. Japanese Market Expanding as a Smart City Testbed Takanawa Gateway City is a large-scale urban development project being promoted by JR East. It is being developed as a next-generation smart city combining transportation, commercial, residential, and cultural functions, and serves as a testbed for verifying startup technologies in a real urban environment. LiSH, where the program was held, is an open innovation hub focused on fields such as environment, food, and healthcare, serving as a space that supports collaboration and demonstration among researchers, startups, and companies. Seven domestic startups in the fields of environment, mobility, healthcare, and AI participated in this program. Companies including EV charging solution provider EVA , AI commerce content automation company Studio Lab , and AI-based dementia diagnosis company SevenPointOne , as well as NewRizen , Huject , Huino , and Uniuni, explored local business opportunities in Japan. On the day of the event, D.CAMP and JR East also signed
May 14, 2026 · via venturesquare.net
Thursday’s Headlines Pump It Up Until you can feel it (gas prices, that is). But you don't really need it (suspending gas taxes). By Blake Aued 12:01 AM EDT on May 14, 2026 Blake Aued has been doing Streetsblog's daily national news digest for years. He's also an Atlanta Braves fan, which enrages his editor in New York. Read More: Streetsblog has migrated to a new comment system. New commenters can register directly in the comments section of any article. Returning commenters: your previous comments and display name have been preserved, but you'll need to reclaim your account by clicking "Forgot your password?" on the sign-in form, entering your email, and following the verification link to set a new password — this is required because passwords could not be carried over during the migration. For questions, contact tips@streetsblog.org. More from Streetsblog USA ‘Our Roads Are More Than Just Highways’: Democrats Urge U.S. Senate to Fund Transit Programs A Trump administration proposal recommends massive cuts to popular programs – and it will cost American communities more than they can afford, Senate Democrats say. May 14, 2026 Study: Trump’s Transit Proposal Would Cost the Country So Many Jobs — And Not Just in Cities ... but an increase in funding would be a job-creating juggernaut. May 13, 2026 Wednesday’s Headlines Are Bought and Paid For The Union of Concerned Scientists explains how the highway lobby keeps so many of us in our cars. May 13, 2026 Opinion: It’s Time to Rethink Our Congestion Obsession Policymakers constantly suggest that we need to spend billions of dollars and bulldoze countless acres of land to fix traffic jams. But do we? May 13, 2026 Speed Ills! Reckless Driving on the Rise in Car Ads, Study Shows Car commercials featuring unsafe driving are rising — as
May 14, 2026 · via usa.streetsblog.org
The American International University–Bangladesh (AIUB) inaugurated its state-of-the-art AI Supercomputing Lab on Sunday, May 3, 2026, at its Permanent Campus. The lab was officially inaugurated by Ms. Nadia Anwar, Founder Member and Chairman of the Board of Trustees, AIUB; Dr. Hasanul A. Hasan, Founder Member, Board of Trustees; Mr. Ishtiaque Abedin, Founder Member, Board of Trustees; Dr. Carmen Z. Lamagna, Former Vice Chancellor and Member, Board of Trustees. Prof. Dr. Saiful Islam, Vice-Chancellor; and Prof. Dr. Md. Abdur Rahman, Pro Vice-Chancellor were also present at this memorable moment. Founder Member Dr. Hasanul A. Hasan said that, in the present era, Artificial Intelligence (AI) is playing a highly significant role in various fields. It will open new horizons of opportunities in education and research at AIUB. This cutting-edge facility features advanced NVIDIA DGX Spark systems, delivering up to 1 petaflop of AI performance. The lab enables researchers and students to work with large-scale AI models, including large language models and diffusion systems, fostering hands-on innovation in AI engineering. The initiative places strong emphasis on developing “Sovereign AI” tailored to the Bengali language and local context, ensuring culturally relevant technological advancement. It will also support research in key sectors such as healthcare, agriculture, smart cities, and the textile industry. Through this initiative, AIUB aims to strengthen Bangladesh’s AI research ecosystem, promote ethical AI development, and empower future innovators with world-class computational resources. Deans, Directors and Heads from different departments, faculty members, high officials of AIUB were also present at the event.
May 14, 2026 · via aiub.edu
DUBAI, UAE, May 14, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Robo.ai Inc. (Nasdaq: AIIO), announced today that its wholly-owned AI data processing and compression technology subsidiary, Neurovia AI, has officially released its core technology platform, NeuroStream™. Designed for the machine economy era, the platform utilizes a bitmap vectorization algorithm to provide high-fidelity, low-bandwidth, and low-power infrastructure support for the massive visual data generated by physical artificial intelligence. Mansoor Ali Khan, Chief Technology Officer of Neurovia AI, detailed the platform's technical architecture and application cases. To demonstrate the practical performance of NeuroStream™, Neurovia AI has published comparative case studies on its official website (https://www.neuroviaai.ae/). According to internal testing, a 5.5GB 4K 60fps original video processed through NeuroStream™ can be compressed to a file size of 278MB, reducing storage space usage by approximately 95%. These tests indicate that NeuroStream™ significantly reduces file size while fully retaining core visual information such as the original video's resolution and frame rate. This visually lossless characteristic ensures that the substantially compressed data continues to provide a clean and complete data source for subsequent machine vision and AI computations. This capability meets the strict data authenticity requirements of industrial, sovereign, and specific legal application scenarios, while also generating clear economic benefits for enterprises in terms of energy consumption, storage space, and processing latency. Chief Technology Officer Mansoor noted that global unit data storage prices have increased approximately fourfold since 2026. According to industry estimates, every terabyte of data storage saved generates a direct economic benefit of $1,000 to $1,500 annually for an AI customer, in addition to indirect benefits related to transmission efficiency, energy consumption, data integrity, and security. Through AI-native compression, intelligent visual optimization, and edge computing adaptation, NeuroStream™ converts traditional bitmap logic into a vectorized mathematical expression. This approach lowers transmission and storage costs while precisely preserving the
May 14, 2026 · via prnewswire.com
Riyadh financial district eyes Beijing partnership By CUI HAIPEI in Dubai | CHINA DAILY | Updated: 2026-05-14 09:38 As Saudi Arabia presses ahead with its Vision 2030 to diversify its economic structure, a Saudi official has expressed optimism about China's long-term economic prospects, underlining the potential of bilateral cooperation and offering full support for Chinese companies to expand their footprint across the Middle East. Faddy Abdulrahman AlAql, chief projects delivery officer of the King Abdullah Financial District, said that the business hub has emerged as a core engine driving the kingdom's economic restructuring and future growth, boasting a complete industrial and residential ecosystem by gathering top-tier banks, regulatory bodies, law firms, tech giants and multinational enterprises. He spoke highly of China's sound long-term growth fundamentals, pointing out that China is positioning itself well for the next phase of global development. "When I look at China's economy, what gets my attention beyond the growth numbers is where that growth is actually coming from. China is moving up the value chain: Advanced manufacturing, tech, services, and real domestic consumption," he said. "These areas have a strong overlap with Saudi Arabia's developmental priorities." Calling China an important partner for Vision 2030, AlAql said China's shift toward advanced manufacturing, technology and digital infrastructure aligns perfectly with Saudi Arabia's mission to build a multi-engine economy. He stressed that China-Saudi ties have deepened markedly, with engagement driven by private-sector collaboration. "This synergy is ushering in a new era of cooperation that goes beyond traditional energy trade into high-tech sectors," he said, adding that the kingdom recently hosted over 30 Chinese firms exploring joint projects in advanced manufacturing, semiconductors and green technology. Based on the "10-minute city within a city" concept, KAFD comprises residential communities, catering and retail amenities, more than 67,000 square meters of green space,
May 14, 2026 · via global.chinadaily.com.cn
#WATCH | 🚨 PM Narendra Modi Significantly Reduces Convoy Size, Retains Essential SPG Security Protocols Prime Minister Narendra Modi has downsized his convoy considerably following his call for austerity and fuel conservation. The reduction in vehicles was carried out while maintaining all essential security components mandated under SPG protocol. The people who were mocking a national leader’s convoy clearly have very little or no understanding of threat perception, intelligence inputs, and security protocols. Security of a Head of State is not optional, symbolic, or designed for “show”. It exists because a single lapse can destabilize diplomacy, governance, national morale, and even public safety. Convoys are planned based on real-time intelligence, route sanitization, emergency response readiness, anti-attack protocols, and contingency planning. Most citizens only see vehicles on the road. Security agencies see potential threats, attack vectors, crowd risks, and national responsibility. Criticizing without understanding the magnitude of protecting a country’s highest office only reflects ignorance about how national security actually works. Why do Indian political leaders need more high-class security compared to British or some European leaders? Is there any reason? Don’t they have security threats? I have no idea, so I would like to learn and understand. Please help me. So, this is now a political page? PM having only 1 car and a local MLA having 3-4 cars in convoy Not a welcome step. Pls have enough and more. Not a welcome step Feel like Kamarajar regime back to India. Imagine the position of a Prime Minister who continues to remain on global threat radars, yet still faces criticism over security protocols from people making casual, uninformed remarks like “practice what you preach.” National security is not a social media debate or a PR exercise. Reducing such serious matters to political point-scoring is deeply irresponsible and reprehensible. Disagreement is
May 13, 2026 · via linkedin.com
That is, according to Business Improvement District (BID) Better Bankside.
The non-profit surveyed its 900 business members, most of which are small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and found that sustainability and environment ranked sixth in terms of the company’s biggest priorities.
Back in 2022, it was voted as the third most important, mirroring the fact that only around a quarter of UK small businesses believe they will reach net-zero by mid-century.
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May 13, 2026 · via edie.net
Aging infrastructure and climate disruptions are keeping water professionals up at night as external stressors increasingly affect the water supply, the American Water Works Association’s 2026 State of the Water Industry report found. The more than 2,100 water professionals who took part in the annual AWWA survey rank the water industry’s current health at an average of 4.72 on a scale of 1 to 7, which is largely consistent with the survey’s 23-year history. But their prediction about the industry’s health in five years is 4.53 — the lowest it’s been in eight years. “External pressures — from global supply chains to extreme weather — are now part of the everyday operating environment for utilities,” AWWA President Brent Tippey states in the report. “We need strategic foresight, supportive policy, and innovations that help utilities maintain reliability even when conditions shift overnight.” The sector’s ability to confront gaps in climate resilience, digital modernization and sustainability frameworks will be essential in coming years, according to the report. Half of respondents say they’re very or fully prepared for long-term water supply needs — a 5 percentage point drop from the previous year — while 16% say they’re not at all prepared for long-term demands. Eleven percent of respondents report their water supply experiences frequent or chronic stress, and one-third indicate that “an increase in withdrawal or a decrease in supply could result in difficulties providing drinking water,” the report states. “Planning for long-term water security has never been more challenging. Uncertainty is increasing from things like accelerating climate variability and the rapid expansion of tech-based industries,” T.J. Stroebl, market development leader at Kurita America and the next AWWA president, states in the report. “The future is a moving target and hitting it will require more resilient strategies that allow for pivoting on shorter
May 13, 2026 · via smartcitiesdive.com
Dive Brief: - Maryland Gov. Wes Moore signed the Maryland Transit Administration Reform Act on Tuesday, establishing an oversight board of directors for the Maryland Transit Administration and a Commuter Services Advisory Board to oversee commuter rail and bus services. - The legislation gives the board of directors authority to oversee budgets, service plans and certain grant decisions for transit in the Baltimore region. - The act repeals the Baltimore Regional Transit Commission, established in 2023, and directs the transit administration to reallocate staff between the two new boards. Dive Insight: “We have no good public transportation system,” the Maryland Legislative Coalition, an association of activists, wrote in testimony to the state senate’s finance committee, adding that “it’s time to have some oversight” of the transit administration. The coalition said it strongly supports the newly enacted bill. Maryland’s consolidated transportation program anticipates spending $22.1 billion statewide over its fiscal year 2026 to 2031 plan. Projects include repairs to the Key Bridge, highway and tunnel work, improvements to the state’s airport light rail line and completion of its 16-mile light rail line connecting New Carrollton to Bethesda, Maryland. The Maryland Department of Transportation, which supported the act, is required to contract with the Baltimore Metropolitan Council to complete a technical study by Dec. 1 to consider the creation of a rail authority in Maryland. “Years of underfunding have kept Baltimore’s transit system stuck in the minors with a losing record,” transportation advocates Paul Sturm and Lauren Byrd wrote in a commentary for Maryland Matters, a nonprofit news site. “Unreliable bus and rail service” affects workers, students, older adults and people with medical needs, they said.
May 13, 2026 · via smartcitiesdive.com
Cities That Have Not Been Bombed, Yet Deteriorate As If They Were STORY INLINE POST There is a category of city that no tourism competitiveness index accurately captures: the city that has not suffered a war, yet deteriorates as if it had. There are no bombings, no collapsed buildings, no battlefields. There is something else: plazas that empty at dusk, shops that close their shutters early, residents who alter their routes out of caution, tourists who shorten their stay or simply never arrive. The deterioration lacks the dramatic visibility of wartime destruction, but its effects on social cohesion, the local economy, and the destination’s reputation are comparable in nature, though not in scale. Uruguayan economist Graciana del Castillo developed, in "Rebuilding War-Torn States: The Challenge of Post-Conflict Economic Reconstruction," an analysis of societies emerging from civil wars that nonetheless has broader application: reconstruction is not only a response to physical destruction, but to the breakdown of the ties that allow a society to reproduce itself in a legitimate and sustainable way. Without employment, functioning institutions, legitimacy of public order, and life opportunities for excluded sectors, no peace is possible. Coercion can sustain a truce; only integration sustains peace. That logic does not require an actual war to be relevant. It only requires a social fracture deep enough that the legal order has lost competitiveness against illegal alternatives. That is exactly the problem faced today by dozens of cities in Latin America, Southern Europe, and the developing world that were never bombed but show unmistakable signs of what might be called systemic deterioration: Medellín before its transformation; Ciudad Juarez in its most violent years; San Salvador under gang control; Naples in neighborhoods controlled by the Camorra; Marseille in its most troubled banlieues; Johannesburg in its townships; and, on a smaller scale
May 13, 2026 · via mexicobusiness.news
- | 9:00 am Why Saudi Arabia’s urban future is about livability. Not just smart systems The country has become one of the world’s largest smart city laboratories—testing technology, infrastructure, and urban design across its national landscape. In Saudi Arabia, about 84% of its population now lives in cities, putting significant pressure on urban systems. Population growth, climate challenges, traffic jams, and higher expectations for quality of life are all adding to the strain. To address this, Saudi Arabia has launched a broad smart city plan to improve everything from traffic flow to energy use. The groundwork for this transformation was laid in 2015, when the government unveiled plans to upgrade 17 cities, including Riyadh, Makkah, and Jeddah. A year later, Vision 2030 was launched, marking the kingdom’s first blueprint for smart city development. Today, these plans are becoming a reality. Riyadh is launching a smart city program that includes planting more trees and introducing self-driving transport. Al Khobar is using AI-powered traffic signals to reduce congestion, and Makkah is developing into a smart city ready to handle 30 million pilgrims each year by 2030. THE RISE OF THE COGNITIVE ECOSYSTEM The smart city model has now moved beyond simple connectivity and automation toward the “cognitive city”—urban environments that not only collect data but learn from it and respond in real time. Digital twins—virtual replicas of physical environments—anchor this vision, allowing operators to simulate traffic flows, monitor infrastructure, and optimize resource use. “Digital twin technology is creating tangible value in areas such as urban planning, infrastructure optimization, and predictive maintenance by enabling simulation and real-time operational insights,” says Mosab Erar, vertical business director at Hikvision MEA. Yet the path forward is not without hurdles. “Key limitations often stem from fragmented systems and data silos, which require strong data governance frameworks
May 13, 2026 · via fastcompanyme.com
| Panellists at a seminar titled “Digital Twins for Smart City Development” held in HCM City on May 6. — Photo courtesy of the organisers | HCM CITY — Data, artificial intelligence and digital twin technology are playing a growing role in smart city development in Việt Nam, experts said at the 5th National Forum on Emerging Technologies for Smart and Sustainable City Development held in HCM City last week. They said smart cities are entering a new phase, moving beyond the digitalisation of public services towards real-time analysis, forecasting and data-driven urban governance powered by AI and big data. At the forum, Deputy Minister of Science and Technology Lê Xuân Định said Việt Nam is refining its legal framework for smart city development through major policies, including Decision 950/QD-TTg on sustainable smart city development, Resolution 06-NQ/TW, Politburo Resolution 57, and Government Decree 269/2025/ND-CP on smart city development. “These policies demonstrate the Government’s strong commitment to promoting digital transformation, modernising urban governance, and improving people’s quality of life. “Technology is not merely a tool, it is the core driver of urban intelligence. Without core technologies, smart cities would remain limited to process digitisation rather than achieving automated analysis, forecasting, and optimisation.” But he admitted that smart city development still faces several bottlenecks like fragmented data among localities and departments and intelligent operation centres failing to fully utilise AI and big data. Many cities also still lack digital twin platforms for urban simulation and forecasting, he said. To address these challenges, the ministry proposed focusing on certain priorities like promoting “dual transformation” in green and digital development, establishing unified data standards, research into AI, big data and digital twin technologies, encouraging sandbox mechanisms for emerging technologies, developing high-quality human resources, and ensuring data security. Dr Nguyễn Thị Bích Lan, director of
May 13, 2026 · via vietnamnews.vn
China and Tajikistan signed a treaty of permanent good-neighborliness, friendship and cooperation on Tuesday, ushering in a new phase in bilateral ties. President Xi Jinping and visiting Tajik President Emomali Rahmon signed the treaty at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. Rahmon is in China on a four-day state visit, which started on Monday. During their talks, Xi said that firmly supporting each other is the core essence of China-Tajikistan relations. He said that regardless of changes in the external environment, China and Tajikistan will always remain good neighbors who help each other, good friends who trust each other with sincerity, and good partners who join hands for development. The signing of the China-Tajikistan Treaty on Permanent Good-Neighborliness, Friendship and Cooperation will fully demonstrate the high level of political mutual trust between the two countries, providing a solid guarantee for everlasting friendship from one generation to another, Xi said, adding that China is willing to work with Tajikistan to promote the building of a closer community with a shared future to better benefit the people of both nations. RELATED ARTICLES Rahmon hailed the signing of the treaty, saying that it marks the start of a new historical stage in the countries' relations, and will open up new prospects for their long-term cooperation. The treaty came amid the steady growth of bilateral ties guided by the two heads of state in recent years. In 2023, the two countries announced the building of a China-Tajikistan community with a shared future featuring everlasting friendship, solidarity and mutual benefit. In 2024, the two countries elevated their ties to a comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership in the new era. Xi paid three state visits to Tajikistan — in 2014, 2019 and 2024. Rahmon visited China 22 times, and his last trip to China was
May 13, 2026 · via chinadailyasia.com
Turning Crisis into Strategy: Contracts, projects and disputes at a global chokepoint The FCC's next FM broadcast auction is coming—and history shows that preparation before the short-form filing window opens can materially impact auction outcomes. On May 11, 2026, the FCC announced Auction 114, an auction of 132 FM broadcast construction permits. The FCC has tentatively scheduled the auction to begin on February 2, 2027. As broadcasters, investors, entrepreneurs, and spectrum-focused media companies are well-aware, FCC auctions are not mere filing exercises. Instead, they are highly strategic competitive events involving ownership attribution analyses, bidding eligibility planning, upfront payment calculations, auction pacing strategy, anti-collusion compliance, and long-term operational planning. As the terrestrial radio market rapidly transforms and realigns in response to new technologies, evolving listener behavior, and spectrum policy shifts, the auction presents new opportunities for innovative entrants and localized service. Past FM broadcast auctions demonstrate both the scale of opportunity and the level of competition. For example, Auction 37 (2004) drew 456 qualified bidders across 62 bidding rounds, ultimately awarding 258 construction permits and generating more than $178 million in gross bids. Though more limited in scope, Auction 70 (2007) saw 114 qualified bidders compete over 83 rounds for 111 permits, producing gross bids exceeding $24 million. Auction strategy is not just about identifying available permits or comparing opening bid amounts. Instead, sophisticated bidders evaluate each opportunity based on population coverage, contour reach, local advertising economics, market adjacency, technical constraints, interference protections, and long-term business fit. Further, participants in past years’ auctions should take notice of modern auction dynamics, as participation today is even more complex than in prior years. The FCC’s proposed Auction 114 procedures include anonymous bidding procedures, upfront payment eligibility structures, activity rules, waiver strategies, default payment exposure, and detailed short-form certification obligations. Effective participation therefore requires
May 13, 2026 · via hoganlovells.com
La Trobe’s collaboration with Indian institutions has grown significantly in recent years. A particular success is our joint research and PhD programs of which the Asian Smart Cities Research Innovation Network (ASCRIN) is the centrepiece. The network involves key partner institutions such as IIT Kanpur, BITS Pilani and Tata Institute of Social Sciences. These partnerships have laid a strong foundation for high quality doctoral training, joint supervision and international collaboration that has real impact. The creation of the Associate PVC role marks a new phase of development, with a focus on expanding joint doctoral programs, increasing student participation, strengthening institutional and industry partnerships, and building sustained, high-impact research collaboration. Professor Nick Bisley, PVC Research, congratulated Professor Desai on the appointment. “Ani brings extensive experience in translational research, industry engagement and international collaboration and I’m delighted to see him step into this position,” Professor Bisley said. “This role will be critical in building on the momentum we have established in India strengthening our partnerships and expanding opportunities for industry-aligned research.” Professor Desai is the founder of ASCRIN and Co‑Director of the IIT Kanpur–La Trobe Research Academy, which has grown to become La Trobe’s largest international research initiative, actively engaging more than 180 researchers across La Trobe and partner universities in India and supporting over 100 approved joint PhD projects, with more than 70 doctoral candidates recruited to date and further recruitment underway. Professor Desai said he was honoured to take on the new role and enthusiastic about the opportunities ahead. “Our focus is on building impactful collaborations across universities, industry and government by prioritising research projects with strong potential for adoption and meaningful industry and community impact,” Professor Desai said. “I look forward to working with colleagues in both India and Australia to deepen these relationships and deliver shared outcomes.” In
May 12, 2026 · via latrobe.edu.au
CPQD, Lactec join forces to develop convergent platform for smart grid networks This press release was published in English using an automatic translation system By CPQD Campinas, May 12, 2026 - The joint development of technological innovation projects is one of the objectives of the partnership being established between CPQD, as an Embrapii Open RAN Competence Center, and Lactec, which acts as an Embrapii Smart Grid and Electromobility Competence Center. The agreement is being formalized this Tuesday, May 12, but the two Embrapii Competence Centers have already started their first joint project, which focuses on the development of a convergent platform, named SGHaul, that integrates 5G Open RAN and IEEE 802.15.4 technologies for the backhaul of smart power grids (smart grids). “The main application of this platform is in the reading and management of smart energy meters. With this project, the intention is to ensure that the last‑mile network, made up of meters and sensors, is able to restore itself quickly and autonomously after blackouts occur,” explains Luciana Michelotto Iantorno, a researcher at Lactec. She says that Lactec has already developed part of the solution focused on the last mile, using a mesh network architecture (Wi-SUN). “Now, the goal is to have a complete, end-to-end platform, with a convergent gateway that brings together 5G Open RAN and the IEEE 802.15.4 standard, creating an intelligent bridge between the meters and the 5G network backhaul,” the researcher adds. With this new platform, power utilities will be able to apply network intelligence to prioritize alarms and urgent commands, in order to ensure greater operational resilience, reduced downtime, and fewer financial losses. “In addition, the solution will enable network slicing for critical smart grid applications and integration with smart city solutions, ensuring national technological sovereignty in this area,” says Rodrigo Poncio, Telecom/Cloud/Edge manager at
May 12, 2026 · via bnamericas.com
Why is Shell Selling All its Service Stations in France? Shell is preparing to sell its entire network of petrol stations in France, according to a report from French news outlet Les Échos. The company is seeking a buyer for its portfolio of around 60 service stations, with a deal expected to be agreed by the third quarter of 2026 and completed in early 2027. The assets, which generated operating profits of roughly US$127.5m in 2025, might appear modest within Shell’s global portfolio, yet they remain a profitable foothold in a competitive downstream market. Crucially, Shell does not directly own these sites, instead operating through concession agreements with motorway operators including Vinci, Cofiroute and ASF. That structure has long limited control while tying the business to fixed-term contracts and periodic competitive tenders. So, what is the rationale behind this decision? - Employees: 98,000 - HQ: London, UK - Production capacity: 2.8 million barrels of oil per day - Operational reach: More than 70 countries - CEO: Wael Sawan Profit without permanence Despite the profitability of Shell’s sites in France, the stations sit within a structurally constrained segment of the downstream sector. A significant share of earnings comes not from fuel sales but from retail activity, including food and beverage purchases that drive margins in roadside convenience. This reflects a broader industry reality in Europe, where fuel retail margins are thin and increasingly sensitive to price competition from supermarkets. In France in particular, hypermarkets dominate fuel sales, often undercutting traditional operators and compressing returns. Shell’s motorway presence, while fairly premium in location, is also costly, since it is linked to concession fees, operational standards and the upkeep of infrastructure. Internally, the sentiment suggests that profitability alone has not been sufficient to justify continued investment. One employee described the preparation for sale
May 12, 2026 · via energydigital.com
Smart cities and green energy: how Azerbaijan is rebuilding liberated territories Editor's note: Aysel Mammadzada is an Azerbaijan-based journalist. The views expressed in this article are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect those of News.Az. The Great Return programme represents one of the most ambitious national reconstruction and resettlement efforts in modern history. It is Azerbaijan’s large-scale initiative to rebuild and repopulate the territories of Karabakh and East Zangezur, which were liberated after nearly three decades of occupation. Beyond physical reconstruction, the programme symbolises the restoration of cultural heritage, the revival of economic life, and the return of displaced families to their ancestral lands. It is not only a national project but also a long-term vision aimed at creating a modern, sustainable, and technologically advanced region, News.Az reports. At its core, the Great Return is based on a comprehensive state strategy that combines infrastructure development, security, environmental restoration, economic revitalisation, and social reintegration. The programme is being implemented in carefully planned phases to ensure that resettlement takes place safely and sustainably. RECOMMENDED STORIES - Azerbaijan, Slovakia discuss expanding strategic partnership in high-level meeting - PHOTOS - Beijing becomes centre of global diplomacy as China hosts US, Tajik and Brunei leaders - Indian Ambassador visits Ayurveda Centre in Azerbaijan, discusses promotion of traditional wellness - “Eurovision 2026” song contest kicks off in Vienna Before any large-scale return could begin, one of the most critical challenges had to be addressed: landmine contamination. Vast areas of the liberated territories were heavily mined, posing serious risks to human life and reconstruction efforts. As a result, humanitarian demining became the first and most urgent priority. The Azerbaijan National Agency for Mine Action (ANAMA), together with international partners, has been actively involved in clearing thousands of hectares of land. Advanced technologies such as drone-based
May 12, 2026 · via news.az