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Pax Silica and the promise of New Clark <b>City</b> | The Manila Times

Read this in The Manila Times digital edition. ↵ When I drew up, more than a decade ago, the vision and plan for a new smart and green metropolis for the Philippines, I recognized the need to curate the foundational locators of the Clark Green City (now New Clark City). The pioneer locators will shape the face and the future of this new metropolis. Hence, this must be done strategically and with deliberate haste. Far more than the branding, we envisioned the New Clark City as not merely the center but the driver of innovation in the country. To do this, we made significant investment in building the Luzon Bypass Line to be the backbone of the national broadband strategy. For the development of human capital, BCDA donated 70 hectares of land for a new UP campus, 20 hectares for Technological University of the Philippines and another 20 hectares for the Philippine Science High School. For life sciences, I brought UP College of Medicine and Japan’s Riken Institute to build together the cutting-edge technologies for medicine. We brought first the institutions of learning, research and innovations. The inclusion of the Philippines in Pax Silica in more than a thousand hectares of land in New Clark City ushers the transformative factor in our vision for Clark. Silica is easy to overlook because it is everywhere. It is sand and stone, glass and fiber, the physical base of silicon chips and the digital economy that runs on them. It is ancient and modern at the same time. To speak of “Pax Silica” is to borrow from historical phrases like Pax Romana or Pax Americana, but to shift the focus away from empire and toward infrastructure, material intelligence and shared prosperity. Peace here is not the absence of conflict; it is the presence

Farm bill passes House with added compost language

Dive Brief: - The U.S. House of Representatives passed its draft of the farm bill on Friday. The legislation sets the budget for the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and is typically passed every five years, though this installment is three years late. - A last-minute amendment to the bill designated composting as a conservation practice under USDA standards, which could unlock expanded federal benefits for the industry. Several provisions backing food loss and waste diversion policy, as well as biogas programs, remained intact. - The Senate has yet to introduce its own farm bill draft this year, though the Senate Agriculture Committee may start the process in late May or early June, Agri-Pulse reported. While the farm bill process has become contentious, its food waste provisions have typically received broad support in Congress. Dive Insight: The most recent 2018 farm bill became a vehicle for significant food waste policy, establishing the food loss and waste reduction liaison position and a pilot establishing the Composting and Food Waste Reduction cooperative agreement program. In the years since, food waste reduction advocates have latched onto the next farm bill as a vehicle for expanded policy support. The current iteration of the farm bill was passed out of committee in March. It includes several provisions solidifying support for food loss and waste reduction efforts within the federal government. That included making the CFWR program permanent and requiring the liaison to submit an annual report to Congress on their work. It also included instructions to study microplastics and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances on farmland, as well as to study food loss and waste. Rep. Julia Brownley, D-Calif., also introduced an amendment approved on the House floor that bolsters the connection between composters and farmers. Specifically, it ensures compost is considered a soil carbon amendment under

Affordable housing development is boosting Oklahoma's economy: report

Dive Brief: - Affordable housing development in Oklahoma is producing “significant economic and fiscal benefits” for the state, according to an April 30 Urban Institute report. - The study found that 45 multifamily developments built between 2019 and 2023 have contributed more than $800 million in economic output. That impact could exceed $1 billion in the next decade, outpacing the $295 million in state and federal tax credit equity used to develop them, the researchers say. - Every dollar of tax credit equity allocated for the 2,667 units was tied to $3.40 in total economic benefits and added $1.95 in value to the state’s economy, according to the report. Dive Insight: Oklahoma is in the midst of a worsening affordable housing shortage, an Oklahoma Policy Institute report last year found. The state needs roughly 85,000 rental homes to support its extremely-low-income renters, those who spend more than 50% of their income on rent. The surging cost of building materials and labor shortages are contributing to the lack of affordable housing options in the state, the Oklahoma Policy Institute said, calling for increased state support. “Public grants help bridge the financial gap and help developers keep rents affordable,” the OPI report states. The 45 affordable multifamily developments the Urban Institute examined spurred more than 4,000 temporary construction jobs and around 57 unique jobs for people involved in property operations, generating $276 million in labor income during construction. The additional housing is also expected to generate $126 million in tax revenue over 10 years of operations, according to UI. “State and local policymakers deciding how to allocate scarce resources need to understand both the social benefits and economic returns of affordable housing investment,” UI said in a news release.

Organizations partner to develop corporate water stewardship guidance

Dive Brief: - An initiative launched Thursday aims to develop standardized guidance for how companies should assess and manage water risks across their organizations. - The initiative is led by sustainability standards organization SCS Global Services, World Resources Institute, World Wildlife Fund and the CEO Water Mandate, according to an April 30 press release. - The goal is to create a shared language and methodology for how companies measure and manage water resource risks and impacts across their company. While water-related frameworks exist, they don’t share a language, which limits comparability. Dive Insight: The groups are developing the “Corporate Guidance for Assessing Water Scopes 1-3 in Value Chains” to help manage growing water stress on the planet. Over half the global population — around 4 billion people — live under “highly water-stressed conditions” for at least a month each year, the World Resources Institute found in 2023. WRI estimates that $70 trillion will be exposed to “high water stress” by 2050, or approximately one-third of the global gross domestic product. The goal is that final guidance would connect to existing disclosures like those from CDP (formerly Carbon Disclosure Project) and the Alliance for Water Stewardship. The group was formed, in part, because of the recognition of the gap in standardized language to measure corporate water impacts, SCS Global Services’ Executive Director of Standards and Assurances Victoria Norman said in an interview this week. “There is a gap in the landscape of reporting frameworks,” Norman told ESG Dive. “Everyone is reporting on different things using the same terms [that mean] different things or using different terms to mean the same thing, making comparisons impossible and making tracking progress and performance impossible as well. And we're at a time in our climate crisis where we need results.” The group plans to develop

WORLD <b>CITIES</b> SUMMIT 2026: A MILESTONE 10™ EDITION IN SINGAPORE

WORLD CITIES SUMMIT 2026: A MILESTONE 10™ EDITION IN SINGAPORE Liveable and Sustainable Cities: ACT Now! 14 – 16 June 2026 SINGAPORE, May 4, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- The 10th edition of the World Cities Summit (WCS) 2026 takes place in Singapore from 14 to 16 June this year. Organised by Singapore's Centre for Liveable Cities (CLC) and Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA), the biennial Summit is a global platform that convenes government leaders, industry experts, and academia to inspire conversations on cities, address urban liveability and sustainability challenges, share integrated urban solutions, and forcities are wher ge new partnerships. The past nine editions of WCS have welcomed over 140,000 delegates from more than 250 cities. In 2024, the Summit hosted over 3,500 delegates from nearly 100 cities, including 115 Ministers, Mayors, and city leaders. Alongside promoting knowledge exchange between government, industry experts and academia, the Summit offers sponsors, corporates and SMEs a global platform to connect with cities and other partners. Confirmed speakers for WCS 2026 include Lawrence Wong, Prime Minister and Minister for Finance, Singapore, alongside city leaders from Europe and Latin America such as Berlin, Bucharest, London, Madrid, and Bogotá, among other global participants. The full list of notable attendees, as of 4 May can be found here. The 10th edition marks an important milestone in Singapore's role as a trusted convenor of urban leaders, and a springboard for knowledge sharing and collaboration between cities. It reinforces the central role of cities in tackling pressing challenges such as climate change, housing and sustainable infrastructure, while emphasising implementable outcomes and stronger city-to-city collaboration across the world. About WCS 2026 The theme for WCS 2026, "Liveable and Sustainable Cities: ACT Now!" is a rallying call for the urgent need to Accelerate, Collaborate, and Transform urban environments to create more liveable resilient,

Nashik Corporation Takes Charge Of Rs 7 Billion <b>Smart City</b> Works

Nashik Corporation Takes Charge Of Rs 7 Billion Smart City Works Neo commits Rs 3 Billion to VRise Developers Neo Alternative Asset Managers, the asset management arm of Neo Group, has committed structured debt financing of Rs 3 billion to VRise Developers for Atlantis at Narsingi, a large-scale premium residential development by The Vasavi Group in West Hyderabad.Atlantis at Narsingi is a RERA-approved high-rise gated community comprising eight towers of 45 floors each. The project includes 2,199 residences across 2 BHK, 3 BHK, 4 BHK and Sky Villa configurations. Located in Narsingi, close to Gachibowli and the Financial District, the project offers access to the Outer Ring Road, Kokapet SEZ and majo.. Mumbai Pune Missing Link Project Uses Godrej Crash Barriers Godrej Enterprises Group, in collaboration with DELTABLOC, has installed advanced precast concrete crash barrier systems on the Mumbai–Pune Expressway Missing Link project, marking their first deployment in India. The Missing Link project, being developed by Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation, aims to enhance connectivity, reduce travel time, and improve safety along one of Maharashtra’s key transport corridors. The installed DELTABLOC® systems comply with European Standard EN 1317 and are designed to provide high containment, absorb collision impact, and redirect vehicles, .. Systematix Posts FY26 Revenue Growth And Declares 10 Per Cent Dividend Systematix Corporate Services Limited has reported audited results for the quarter and year ended March 31, 2026, signalling steady revenue growth and continued strategic investment to support expansion. The firm reported ongoing business momentum across its core financial services and noted platform building in private wealth and asset management. The board recommended a 10 per cent dividend for FY26, continuing a consistent shareholder payout record. Management indicated that investments in technology and talent aim to build long-term scale. Total income from operations for FY26 rose five pe..

Frankfurt startup bags €1M pre-seed to make Europe's streetlights <b>smarter</b>. Here's its pitch deck

Related Posts This UK startup cements £2.5M funding to pioneer CO2 mineralisation in concrete Sustainability in concrete technology has become a paramount consideration in the construction industry, driven by a growing awareness… January 23, 2024 Swiss startup Optiml lands $4M to decarbonise real estate with AI-driven software Optiml, a digital platform for net-zero real estate investment and renovation planning, has closed $4 million in pre-seed… August 21, 2024 Spanish startup Multiverse Computing snaps €25M for developments in quantum software and AI Quantum computers are designed to outperform classical computers by running quantum algorithms to solve previously intractable problems when… March 5, 2024 ElevenLabs targets $6B valuation in employee secondary sale ElevenLabs, an AI voice startup founded in 2022, is on track for a $6 billion valuation following an… September 5, 2025

Putuo pops up in Milan

A cultural exchange event spotlighting Shanghai’s Putuo district opened in Milan on April 25, blending urban vitality with artistic expression. The “Spring Shanghai — Putuo Day” pop-up, part of the “Shanghai in My Mind” series, was held at a newsstand in Largo Augusto, offering visitors an immersive glimpse into one of Shanghai’s most dynamic districts. Centered on the theme “Half Marathon Suzhou Creek — Garden of Light”, the event drew inspiration from the scenic Suzhou Creek waterfront and Milan’s rich artistic heritage. Through light, design, and interactive installations, the exhibition fostered a dialogue between the two cities. “Today, we have come from Putuo, Shanghai, to Milan, bringing with us an artistic showcase inspired by the Half Marathon Suzhou Creek,” said Qian Xiaoli, director of the Putuo District Information Office. “Using light as a bridge, we invite people to discover Putuo … and experience the vitality, charm, and future of this dynamic district.” Putuo district has positioned itself as a hub for innovation and high-quality development. It plays a key role in the Yangtze River Delta integration strategy and the Shanghai-Nanjing Industrial Innovation Belt. The district is advancing digital transformation across industries, while areas such as the Suzhou Creek waterfront and Taopu Smart City are emerging as business centers. The district also hosts major sporting events, including the Suzhou Creek Half Marathon and national competitions. At the same time, cultural landmarks like M50 Creative Park and Hong Shou Fang reflect its vibrant arts and community scene. At the Milan pop-up, visitors explored installations featuring greenery inspired by Suzhou Creek, cultural products, and displays of traditional Chinese craftsmanship such as bamboo weaving and classic Hero pens. “Welcome to Milan, the city of design,” said Annamaria Tartaglia, CEO of Brand Sitter, a bespoke Milan-based factory dedicated to the development of high-end brands in

EU reaffirms commitment to 265bn/- SASA programme

The European Union has reaffirmed its commitment to Tanzania’s €92.7 million (approximately 265 billion Tanzanian shillings) Green and Smart Cities (SASA) programme despite implementation challenges. The four-year initiative, running from 2022 to 2026, aims to promote sustainable urban development across key Tanzanian municipalities. During the 6th Steering Committee Meeting held in Dodoma, Marc Stalmans, Head of Cooperation at the EU Delegation to Tanzania and the East African Community, emphasized the bloc’s dedication to continuing support for the flagship programme. “SASA is one of our flagship programmes. It is very important for the EU to continue supporting such initiatives for the benefit of the younger generation and urban populations,” Stalmans said. “Despite some challenges encountered during implementation, I want to assure you that the EU remains a strong partner for the people of Tanzania.” The programme focuses on four primary urban areas: Mwanza, Ilemela, Tanga, and Pemba Island. It represents a significant investment in Tanzania’s rapidly growing urban centers, which face increasing infrastructure and sustainability challenges as the country’s population continues to shift toward cities. According to Stalmans, the programme has already achieved notable milestones, including the completion of a water project in Mwanza that will serve more than 400,000 residents. Additional water and sanitation projects are planned for Pemba Island and Tanga Region. The initial coordination challenges stemmed from the programme’s complex structure, which involves multiple international partners from Germany, Belgium, France, and Denmark working alongside local Tanzanian authorities. Despite these hurdles, implementation is now progressing steadily. Shabani Ghuhia, SASA Project Coordinator from the Prime Minister’s Office – Regional Administration and Local Government (PMO-RALG), highlighted the programme’s direct impact on citizens’ quality of life. He revealed that Tanzania has secured 181 billion shillings under the initiative to fund modern markets in Tanga, Mwanza, and Ilemela municipalities. Additionally, an extra €115

Letter: How does <b>smart</b> growth work?

Letter: How does smart growth work? Letter to the editor Alachua County Board of County Commissioners (BoCC) says it is committed to ‘smart growth’ policies. So, what does that really mean? Since smart growth can be anything you want it to be, there is no wrong way to implement it. Smart growth principles seem to be more about pageantry than substance and can vary widely between cities; what is seen as beneficial in one city may be viewed as environmental degradation or gentrification in another. Additionally, the term is often used as a convenient euphemism for NIMBY and inclusionary zoning. What is the official definition of smart growth? Smart growth is a development and conservation approach that directs growth to existing, serviced communities rather than developing rural land. It promotes compact, mixed-use development, diverse housing options, and walkable, transit-oriented communities that are environmentally sustainable and economically efficient. OOOKAY?! I apologize for being misled into thinking there were only two types of growth: a) Growth that is self-sufficient and offers multiple options for earning a livable wage. b) Growth that results in a high demand for social services and excessive taxation. Which American cities are considered the gold standard for smart growth? AI Overview: San Francisco, Seattle, Washington D.C., Denver, and Arlington, VA, which emphasize dense development and pedestrian-friendly infrastructure to boost sustainability and quality of life. Note: No tree is safe in any of these cities, and they’ve destroyed most of their wetlands, but they do develop density around their subway systems, so you can get by without a car. Smart growth principles started being applied to these cities after the fact; they had already grown up, so to say they practice smart growth is somewhat of an oxymoron. These are not growing cities; instead, people are leaving them. I’m

Nexus Select Trust Stock Chart | NSE: NXST.RR Stock Price

Nexus Select Trust NXST.RR stock price On the last trading day, NXST.RR stock closed at 155.29 INR, with a price change of -0.74% for the day. Last updated as of 2026-05-04 13:44 IST. Stock price information is sourced from TradingView and reflects real-time market prices. Last updated as of 2026-05-04 13:44 IST. Stock price information is sourced from TradingView and reflects real-time market prices. Trending stocks About Bitget NXST.RR key data Nexus Select Trust overview NXST.RR stock price forecast According to technical indicators for NXST.RR stock, the price is likely to fluctuate within the range of 157.35–207.46 INR over the next week. Market analysts predict that the price of NXST.RR stock will likely fluctuate within the range of 153.85–220.46 INR over the next months. Based on 1-year price forecasts from 80 analysts, the highest estimate is 217.77 INR, while the lowest estimate is 152.05 INR. Latest NXST.RR stock news Lighter. Cheaper. Funner. Pub Light Is Here. Abundia Global Impact Group Secures Licensing and Partnership Agreement with Topsoe for HydroFlex Low Carbon Upgrade Technology Beam Global Announces Record $1.7M in Smart Cities Infrastructure Product Orders in a Single Week, One Month After Setting Previous Record of $1.0M Beam Global Announces Record $1.7M in Smart Cities Infrastructure Product Orders in a Single Week, One Month After Setting Previous Record of $1.0M Tilray Brands to Announce Third Quarter Fiscal Year 2026 Financial Results on April 1, 2026 Greenland Energy (NASDAQ: GLND) Appoints Joe Moglia, former TD Ameritrade CEO and Chairman, as Executive Advisor to the Board LeonaBio Reports Full Year 2025 Financial Results and Provides Business Update NIP Group Inc. Announces Receipt of Nasdaq Notice PMI U.S. BRINGS TECHNOVATION TO WASHINGTON D.C. REalloys (NASDAQ: ALOY) Appoints Former Chief of Staff to the U.S. Secretary of Defense Joe Kasper as Chair of Its Advisory

The factory that built your iPhone is now building the robot that will assemble the next one

TL;DR China’s smartphone supply chain is pivoting to humanoid robot manufacturing, with companies like Lingyi iTech, Lens Technology, and AAC Technologies repurposing precision component factories for robotics production. Morgan Stanley doubled its 2026 forecast to 28,000 units as Foxconn prepares robot manufacturing lines in Vietnam and UBTech’s Walker S2 enters mass production with orders exceeding 800 million yuan. In April, a humanoid robot called the Honor D1 completed the Beijing half-marathon in 48 minutes and 19 seconds under remote control and 50 minutes and 26 seconds in fully autonomous mode, beating every other robot in the 112-team field. The machine that won the race was built using liquid-cooling technology originally developed for Honor’s smartphone division, with structural components supplied by Lens Technology and AAC Technologies, two of the largest precision parts manufacturers in China’s mobile phone supply chain. The company that assembled those components into a bipedal robot capable of running 21 kilometres without overheating is the same company that, until recently, was known primarily for putting screens on phones. This is the story of China’s humanoid robot industry in 2026. It is not being built from scratch. It is being assembled from the supply chain that already exists. The pivot Lingyi iTech, a Shenzhen-based manufacturer that supplies precision components to Apple, Samsung, and Xiaomi, announced in early 2026 that it was going “all in” on embodied intelligence. The company is building a super factory in Beijing targeting production of 10,000 humanoid robots per year by the end of 2026 and 500,000 per year by 2030. Lens Technology, which makes cover glass for iPhones and Samsung Galaxy devices, supplied structural components for the Honor D1. AAC Technologies, the world’s largest manufacturer of miniature acoustic components for smartphones, provided additional precision parts. These are not robotics startups. They are the companies

Saudi Arabia Sensor Development Kit

Saudi Arabia Sensor Development Kit Market 2026 Analysis and Forecast to 2035 Executive Summary Key Findings - The Saudi Arabia Sensor Development Kit market is projected to grow from approximately USD 45-55 million in 2026 to over USD 120-145 million by 2035, representing a compound annual growth rate of 10-12% driven by the Kingdom's industrial diversification and smart infrastructure investments under Vision 2030. - Multi-sensor fusion platforms and IoT-oriented development kits account for roughly 40-45% of total market value in 2026, reflecting strong demand from smart city projects and industrial automation initiatives across the Gulf region. - Import dependence remains structurally high at an estimated 80-90% of kit value, with the United States, Germany, and China serving as primary supply origins; local assembly and software customization are emerging but remain nascent. Market Trends Observed Bottlenecks Availability of leading-edge sensor ICs Qualification of firmware/software stacks Technical support and application engineering capacity Managing BOM cost vs. kit functionality - Rapid adoption of edge AI and embedded processing capabilities is driving demand for higher-specification kits priced above USD 500, as Saudi engineering teams prioritize on-device sensor fusion and low-latency analytics for industrial and automotive applications. - Government-backed smart city programs, including NEOM, Red Sea Project, and Diriyah Gate, are generating sustained procurement cycles for environmental sensing, motion/IMU, and optical/imaging development platforms across system integrators and university research labs. - A shift from standalone sensor evaluation toward integrated cloud-connected prototyping platforms is compressing the typical technology scouting-to-prototype timeline by an estimated 30-40% for Saudi-based engineering teams. Key Challenges - Limited local technical support and application engineering capacity for complex sensor fusion and wireless connectivity stacks creates bottlenecks, particularly for startups and smaller R&D teams outside major urban centers like Riyadh, Jeddah, and Dhahran. - Supply chain lead times for advanced sensor ICs and specialized

OC <b>cities smart</b> to rethink zoning strategies on former mall sites

During the 25 years that consumed the back half of the 1950s and every bit of the 60s and 70s, Orange County shed the last remnants of its agrarian roots to become ground zero for that uniquely American citadel of consumption: The shopping mall. From 1958 to 1979 malls rose like mushrooms from the county’s flatlands, drawing millions of shoppers and their cash-stuffed wallets to cities from Costa Mesa, Laguna Hills and Newport Beach to Anaheim and Buena Park, Westminster and Huntington Beach, Orange and Santa Ana, Brea and Mission Viejo. For three generations these cities rode the sales-tax gravy train their malls produced. Their flush General Funds fueled the growth of their police and fire departments, maintained their parks and financed new ones, kept their streets paved, their storm drains and gutters clear and their sidewalks in good repair. But that era has passed. Roughed up and bruised by the Amazon blitzkrieg and COVID-19 pandemic, most of the malls that once powered Orange County’s conspicuous consumption economy are either limping relics of a bygone era, no longer standing (the Village at Orange mall) or in some stage of redevelopment (the Brea, Westminster and Laguna Hills malls). This wholesale transformation of the county’s retail landscape isn’t only the casualty of tech savvy consumer preferences for the path of least resistance when it comes to shopping. It’s also a catalyst that’s driving the most significant shift in land-use policy and zoning regulations in a generation. Indeed, Orange County’s “mall” cities are navigating through a perfect storm. Pressed by gargantuan state housing mandates, saddled with upside-down budgets, and dogged by an oversupply of obsolete commercially zoned land, “mall” cities are wisely ditching their fallow “fiscal zoning” strategies emphasizing commercial retail zoning in favor of mixed-use zoning that integrates new housing to feed

IAS Officer Revived Varanasi's Water Crisis

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Security searches surge with <b>smart</b> adoption in <b>cities</b>: Report

ADVERTISEMENT India is seeing a steady uptick in demand for surveillance and smart security solutions, with consumer searches reflecting a clear shift towards technology-led safety systems across homes and businesses. Data from Justdial shows that between April 2025 and March 2026, searches across key security categories rose significantly compared to the previous year, signalling evolving urban safety priorities. Searches for CCTV dealers grew 19% nationally, indicating sustained baseline demand for surveillance infrastructure. The trend is strongest in metro markets, led by Delhi with a 25% increase. Bengaluru (24%) and Chennai (21%) followed closely, while Mumbai saw a 19% rise and Hyderabad recorded a comparatively moderate 16% growth. The spread across cities suggests that surveillance is no longer reactive or event-driven. Instead, it is becoming a standard component of residential complexes, small businesses, and commercial establishments. The relatively even growth across metros points to a maturing category rather than a spike driven by isolated concerns. Beyond basic surveillance, more advanced systems are gaining traction. Searches for video door phones and smart entry systems rose 12% nationally, with Delhi again emerging as a key market, registering a sharp 31% increase. Other cities such as Hyderabad (9%), Pune (7%), and Mumbai (4%) showed slower but consistent adoption. More notably, access control and biometric systems saw a 26% jump across India, with Delhi recording a steep 62% surge. This category reflects a deeper behavioural shift, as users are not just monitoring spaces but actively managing entry and identity verification. The data indicates a move away from standalone security devices towards integrated ecosystems that combine surveillance, remote access, and identity control. This aligns with broader urban concerns around gated living, workplace compliance, and asset protection. At a structural level, the trend also mirrors increasing familiarity with connected devices and app-based monitoring. Security is being reframed

National-level Hackathon

Mysore/Mysuru: The Department of Electronics & Communication Engineering, JSS Science and Technology University (JSS STU), Mysuru, is organising a 24-hour National-level Hackathon titled ‘SruJSShti 2026-EC Hackathon 1.0’ at its premises in city on May 9 and 10. With the theme ‘Where Circuits Meet Innovation,’ the hackathon aims to bring together bright minds from across the country to collaborate, innovate and develop impactful solutions to real-world challenges. The event will focus on AI, IoT, Signal Processing and Communication systems, promoting hardware-software integrated innovations. Participants can choose problem statements from diverse domains including Precision Agriculture, Smart Cities & Urban Technology, Healthcare Technology, Affordable Green Energy, Education & Skill Development, Climate Technology and Open Innovation. The event is open to Engineering students, designers, Al enthusiasts, start-up aspirants, professionals and innovators. Teams of 2 to 4 members can participate. In addition to competition, participants will benefit from mentorship by industry experts, start-up founders and academic researchers, fostering a strong ecosystem of learning and innovation. Registration is open till May 6. The hackathon is convened by Dr. Sudarshan Patil Kulkarni, Professor & Head, and coordinated by Dr. H.M. Gayitri, Associate Professor, Dept. of Electronics & Communication Engineering. For further details, contact Ph: 0821-2548285/ 86/ 89. Recent Comments

More than a defence contractor

More than a defence contractor – ST Engineering’s Vincent Chong is ready for the next lap To see the group as a mere defence proxy cashing in on conflict misses the plot entirely [SINGAPORE] It is easy to look at ST Engineering’s rising share price and assume that the defence contractor is simply riding a wave of global instability amid growing military budgets and heightened geopolitical tensions. Indeed, ST Engineering is currently the best performer among the Straits Times Index (STI) blue-chip stocks in the year to date. The stock has generated a total return – with dividends reinvested – of 28.4 per cent since the start of 2026, extending the strong momentum it built up last year. This dwarfs the 7.1 per cent total return of the STI over the same period. Decoding Asia newsletter: your guide to navigating Asia in a new global order. Sign up here to get Decoding Asia newsletter. Delivered to your inbox. Free. Copyright SPH Media. All rights reserved. TRENDING NOW Thai and Vietnamese farmers may stop planting rice because of the Iran war. Here’s why Middle East-linked energy supply shocks put Asean Power Grid back in focus US-China rivalry and the Kindleberger Trap: Why inaction – not escalation – is the biggest risk As more Asean states turn to Russia for fuel, will Moscow boost its influence in the region?

Huawei Hosts AI Data Center Summit in Egypt, Releases North Africa Reference Design for ...

Huawei has hosted its AI Data Center Innovation Summit in Egypt as part of the Huawei Intelligent Africa Congress 2026, releasing the Northern Africa AIDC Reference Design White Paper to provide design and construction guidance for AI data center facilities across the region. Themed “Advancing Industrial All Intelligence for Africa,” the summit brought together customers and partners from multiple industries to discuss opportunities, solutions and case studies in intelligent transformation. Huawei used the event to position its connectivity, computing and digital power capabilities as part of a broader push to support Africa’s transition into AI infrastructure deployment at scale. Benjamin Hou, CEO of Huawei Egypt, said AI is shifting from a peripheral support tool into the core of production. “Today, AI agents can plan, execute, and optimize complex tasks autonomously. These are the breakthroughs that change countries, industries, and individual lives forever,” he said. He added that Egypt is actively implementing its Second National AI Strategy with the goal of moving from being a consumer of technology to a producer of AI. Ahmed Fahmy, general manager of Administrative Capital for Urban Development, said the New Administrative Capital is being built not only as a modern city, but as a replicable smart city model for the rest of the African continent. He said the New Capital has completed a fiber-optic network forming the city’s “nervous system,” and that Egypt is opening its technology platforms to African enterprises, startups and factories to test smart solutions in logistics, manufacturing, energy and other sectors. Fahmy called on partners, investors and innovators to help develop the New Capital into a “Living Lab” for Africa’s digital transformation. Tony Wu, vice president of Huawei’s Computing Marketing and Solution Sales Department, said AI applications have entered a critical period of large-scale adoption, with models and infrastructure becoming central

Guwahati Citizens Seek Stronger CCTV Surveillance via <b>Smart City</b> ICCC to Curb Traffic ...

STAFF REPORTER GUWAHATI: A group of concerned citizens has submitted a memorandum to the Chief Secretary of Assam, forwarding a series of suggestions aimed at improving law enforcement and civic discipline through the Integrated Command and Control Centre (ICCC) under the Guwahati Smart City. In the letter, the citizens expressed appreciation for the establishment of the ICCC, highlighting its role as a “major tool” for Assam Police in monitoring and controlling crime. With around 2,000 CCTV cameras already installed across the city, the 24/7 surveillance system is expected to significantly enhance real-time data availability for enforcement agencies. The memorandum outlined several key concerns observed through CCTV visuals. Among them, the citizens pointed to frequent incidents of people spitting on roads from vehicles, urging authorities to categorise the act as a punishable offence and impose strict fines. They also raised concerns over widespread violations of traffic rules, including two-wheeler riders without helmets, motorists not wearing seat belts, and drivers using mobile phones while driving. The letter further highlighted issues of public sanitation, noting instances of open defecation by both domestic and stray animals in public areas, and suggested that penalties be introduced to address the problem. In addition, the citizens recommended that the ICCC be leveraged as a revenue-generating mechanism for agencies such as the Guwahati Municipal Corporation (GMC) and the Transport Department through systematic fine collection based on CCTV evidence. They also suggested expanding surveillance infrastructure by installing cameras on streetlight poles and encouraging private establishments to integrate their CCTV systems with the ICCC to enhance public safety. Pankaj Barman, one of the signatories to the memorandum, said, “The ICCC has immense potential not just for crime control but also for ensuring civic discipline. If properly utilised, it can deter violations and make Guwahati a more orderly and safer city.”