Beijing is advancing its 'Smart City 4.0' initiative with AI-powered traffic lights that adapt to real-time conditions, reducing congestion by up to 19% in pilot areas. The system also enhances traffic enforcement by enabling continuous tracking of vehicles.
Mexico City's mayor has faced criticism for a city-wide beautification project featuring axolotl murals and purple paint ahead of the FIFA World Cup. Residents argue funds could be better spent on infrastructure, while the mayor defends the initiative as bringing color and improving public spaces.
Plans to install traffic lights on Clachan Bridge will ruin tourist attraction and endanger pedestrians, critics warnTraffic lights are to be installed beside the scenic Clachan Bridge on Scotland’s wild Argyll coast despite fears it will be a “desecration” of a nationally-significant heritage site.Known since the early 19th century as the “Bridge over the Atlantic” the 233-year-old crossing from the mainland to the Isle of Seil attracts visitors eager to boast of their trans-oceanic journey, but there are concerns motorists on green will soon act aggressively towards pedestrians on what is a much-photographed landmark. Continue reading...
Octopus Energy CEO Greg Jackson has suggested some households would accept occasional electricity blackouts in exchange for 25% lower energy bills, sparking controversy on the anniversary of Europe's largest power outage in Spain and Portugal. The comments come as UK dual fuel bills are expected to rise to almost £2,000 from July, with grid upgrade costs climbing from £254 to £457 annually. Jackson, 54, clarified he was not advocating for blackouts but said Spanish consumers would accept occasional outages for cheaper electricity. At least six people died in last year's Iberian blackout, including two who died after being unable to run breathing equipment.
Octopus Energy CEO Greg Jackson has suggested some households might accept occasional electricity blackouts in exchange for significantly lower energy bills, citing Spain's 25% cheaper electricity as a model. Speaking at an industry conference on the anniversary of Europe's largest power outage that affected tens of millions in Spain and Portugal, Jackson clarified he is not advocating for blackouts but argued consumers would trade reliability for lower costs. The comments come as Octopus Energy campaigns against tens of billions of pounds in UK grid investment that it says drives up household bills.
