Connect with us

Technology

Two California Mayors Recognized for Leadership on Climate Action

Published

on

Cities of Alameda and Fresno Win Top Awards for Advancing Decarbonization, Solar, and Battery Innovation

LONG BEACH, Calif., June 4, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Twelve U.S. mayors were recognized today for their local energy and climate protection programs, with each winning a 2026 Mayors’ Climate Protection Award. Alameda Mayor Marilyn Ezzy Ashcraft and her city’s Community-wide Decarbonization Program and Fresno Mayor Jerry Dyer and his city’s Solar and Battery Storage Portfolio were the top award winners being honored at the opening day of The U.S. Conference of Mayors’ 94th Annual Meeting.

This year marks the 20th anniversary of the awards program, celebrating two decades of partnership between the Conference and Walmart in recognizing outstanding mayoral leadership on energy and climate action.

“Alameda is further demonstrating how renewable energy can provide a reliable and non-polluting source of electricity to power our cities, showing how solar clean power can help stabilize — and even reduce — electricity costs for the public and businesses,” said Alameda Mayor Marilyn Ezzy Ashcraft. “While mayors everywhere have always been at the forefront of advancing clean energy technologies, Alameda is particularly honored to be recognized on the 20th Anniversary of these awards.”

“In 2020, only 1.7 percent of the electricity used at city facilities came from renewable sources. This year, we will exceed 46 percent.  This combined with our energy efficiency projects, puts us on track to surpass our 50 percent renewable energy goal,” said Fresno Mayor Jerry Dyer. “This award is not just a recognition of what we’ve built — it is a recognition of who we are. Fresno is a city that believes in innovation. A city that believes in partnership. And a city that believes in building a healthier, more sustainable future for every resident.”

“These awards call attention to the innovation and strong leadership of U.S. mayors, who continue to address our nation’s growing climate challenges and shape an energy future that keeps our communities safe, healthy and more sustainable,” said Tom Cochran, USCM CEO and Executive Director. “These mayors and so many others demonstrate everyday how local action is a difference-maker, and such efforts serve as a powerful reminder that continuing mayoral leadership is critical to securing this future. We thank Walmart for its longstanding partnership and commitment to the nation’s mayors.”

“Walmart is pleased to be part of honoring the nation’s mayors and their innovation and creativity in finding local solutions to some of the pressing issues before us,” said Amy Hill, Group Director for State & Local Government Relations for Walmart.  “On this 20thAnniversary, we are proud to honor this special group of mayors — and the others before them — who are doing their part to make our communities stronger and more regenerative.” 

Alameda’s Community-wide Decarbonization Program is a comprehensive, community-wide decarbonization program, anchored by the Alameda Municipal Power (AMP), the oldest municipal electric utility in California and west of the Mississippi, which provides 100 percent clean electricity. Key components of the program include: carbon-free electricity since 2020 at rates 45% below neighboring investor owned utilities; AMP rebates for electric appliances (heat pumps, induction cooking, smart thermostats) and transportation (used EVs, e-bikes, chargers); reduced permit fees for electric appliances; building code amendments encouraging electrification during remodels and replacements; an interdepartmental electrification working group; expansion of curbside and public EV charging; community outreach such as an annual Home Electrification Fair; and adoption of an Equitable Building Decarbonization Plan and 2025 Climate Action and Resiliency Plan (CARP).

Fresno’s Solar and Battery Storage Portfolio is a combined 27 megawatt-direct current (MWdc) portfolio of on-site solar energy and battery storage systems at three energy-intensive facilities: the Fresno-Clovis Regional Wastewater Reclamation Facility, the Northeast Surface Water Treatment Facility, and the Southeast Surface Water Treatment Facility. The project at the Regional Wastewater Reclamation Facility is the single largest commercial behind-the-meter solar and battery storage system of its kind in the United States gaining both national and international attention. The systems will generate over 47 million kilowatt-hours of electricity every year and will help to avoid 26,000 tons of CO2 annually.  The savings to taxpayers are estimated at more than $120 million by 2045. 

SMALL CITY HONORABLE MENTIONS:
Hallandale Mayor Joy Cooper – The Cloud; Issaquah Mayor Mark Mullet – Resilience Hub Network; La Crosse Shaundel Washington-Spivey – Accessory Dwelling Unit Ordinance; Pico Rivera Mayor Gustavo V. Camacho – Climate Action and Adaptation Plan; and Redmond Mayor Angela Birney – Advancing Climate and Housing Goals Through Residential Decarbonization.

LARGE CITY HONORABLE MENTIONS:
Austin Mayor Kirk Watson – Austin Climate Implementation Plan; Boston Mayor Michelle Wu – Building Emissions Reduction and Disclosure Ordinance; Fort Wayne Mayor Sharon Tucker – Heat Mapping and Neighborhood Intervention Program; Miami Mayor Eileen Higgins – Building Efficiency 305; and Rochester (MN) Mayor Kim Norton – Thermal Energy Network.

Full descriptions of the 2026 Mayors’ Climate Protection Award winning programs can be found at this link: https://www.usmayors.org/climateprotection/2026awards.

About the United States Conference of Mayors — The U.S. Conference of Mayors is the official nonpartisan organization of cities with populations of 30,000 or more. There are more than 1,400 such cities in the country today, and each city is represented in the Conference by its chief elected official, the mayor. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter.

 

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/two-california-mayors-recognized-for-leadership-on-climate-action-302792043.html

SOURCE U.S. Conference of Mayors

Continue Reading

Technology

Roborock Reports 27.6% Revenue Growth in H1 2026, Reinforcing Global Market Leadership

Published

on

By

BERLIN, Sept. 6, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Roborock, a global leader in home robotics engineered to simplify daily life, reported revenue of RMB 10.084 billion in the first half of 2026, up 27.6% year on year, while net profit attributable to shareholders rose 45.6% to RMB 986 million. The company also reached a new global milestone, with Roborock recognized as the world’s No.1 robotic vacuum cleaner brand by both IDC and Euromonitor International.

Global Expansion Continues to Strengthen Growth

Roborock’s international business continued to deliver strong growth in H1 2026 across both mature and high-potential markets. During Amazon Prime Day 2026, Roborock ranked No.1 in the robotic vacuum category in Germany, the United Kingdom, Spain, the Netherlands, Belgium, the United States and Canada. In Europe, Roborock reached a 45% share of the robotic vacuum market, with unit sales up 24% year on year, while wet-dry vacuum unit sales grew 112%. In North America, Roborock reached a 33% share of the robotic vacuum market, with unit sales increasing 30% year on year.

Momentum was also strong across key Asia-Pacific markets. Roborock ranked No.1 in both unit shipments and sales value in Australia, Korea, Taiwan region and Türkiye from Q1 2023 to Q1 2026. In Korea, the brand maintained more than 70% share of the premium robotic vacuum segment, while the S10 MaxV Ultra generated approximately KRW 28 billion in sales within ten days of its February 2026 launch. In Japan, Roborock continued to deepen its premium retail presence through cooperation with Yamada Denki, including dedicated brand displays and nationwide availability of flagship products. Across Asia-Pacific, the company continued to combine its global technology platform with localized channel, marketing and service strategies.

Roborock’s global leadership has also been independently recognized by IDC and Euromonitor International. According to IDC, Roborock ranked No.1 globally by both unit shipments and sales value among robotic vacuum brands in H1 2026, while Euromonitor International ranked the brand No.1 globally by retail sales value in 2025. Together, the two rankings reinforce Roborock’s global market leadership and reflect sustained consumer demand worldwide.

Sustained R&D Investment Supports Long-Term Competitiveness

Roborock continued to invest heavily in technology in the first half of 2026, with R&D spending reaching RMB 720 million, up 5.11% year on year and accounting for 7.14% of revenue. The company continues to build capabilities in intelligent navigation, AI-powered environmental perception, cleaning systems and robotic mobility, while increasingly bringing these technologies together at the system level rather than improving individual specifications in isolation. This integrated approach allows technologies proven in flagship products to be brought into a wider range of models and price segments, helping Roborock strengthen its portfolio while making advanced features available to more consumers.

IFA 2026 Highlights the Next Phase of Innovation

At IFA 2026, Roborock is showcasing its latest advances across indoor and outdoor cleaning. Its new robot vacuums and wet-dry vacuums bring advances in steam-powered care, adaptive cleaning and whole-home versatility, while the Roborock Saros Rover introduces a two-wheel-leg architecture designed to expand robotic mobility beyond flat floors. Roborock is also broadening its intelligent cleaning ecosystem with the debut of the RockAqua P1, its first intelligent pool cleaner, alongside the RockNeo Q2 LiDAR robotic mower, extending its autonomous cleaning capabilities across floors, pools and gardens.

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/roborock-reports-27-6-revenue-growth-in-h1-2026–reinforcing-global-market-leadership-302868216.html

Continue Reading

Technology

Agoda Unveils South Korean Travelers’ Top Domestic and International Destinations for Chuseok Holiday

Published

on

By

– Fukuoka, Tokyo, Osaka, Da Nang, and Nha Trang topped overseas destinations, while Jeju, Busan, Seoul, Sokcho, and Gyeongju led domestic hotspots  

SEOUL, South Korea, Sept. 6, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — With the Chuseok holiday around the corner, South Korean travelers are already making plans to make the most of the four-day break. According to digital travel platform Agoda, accommodation searches for international and domestic destinations have increased by 38% and 160%, respectively, compared to two weeks before the holiday period.

Based on accommodation searches made by South Korean travelers between May to mid-August 2026, Agoda found that Japanese destinations dominated the list of the most-searched overseas destinations for the Chuseok holiday. Fukuoka ranked first, followed by Tokyo and Osaka. Beyond Japan, Vietnamese destinations also proved popular, with Da Nang and Nha Trang rounding out the top five. The findings highlight South Korean travelers’ continued preference for short- and mid-haul destinations, where they can enjoy a combination of cultural experiences and seaside leisure.

Due to its proximity to South Korea with an average flight time of just 1.5 hours from Seoul, Fukuoka is one of the most accessible Japanese destinations for South Korean travelers. The destination is expected to become even more accessible with Eastar Jet’s expanded services on the Incheon–Fukuoka route through October 24, and the Busan–Fukuoka route from August 29 to October 24, covering the Chuseok holiday period.

For those making travel plans closer to home, Jeju ranked as the most-searched domestic destination, with a 131% increase in travel interest, followed by Busan (147%), Seoul (64%), Sokcho (324%), and Gyeongju (222%). Sokcho, which recorded the strongest growth in search interest among the top 5 domestic destinations, saw tourism expenditure by South Korean travelers increase by 8.2% year-on-year in the first half of 2026, according to the Korea Tourism Organization. The high growth in interest in Sokcho’, driven by its diverse mix of mountains, beaches, lakes, culinary experiences and cultural attractions, suggests that the destination could see continued visitor demand through the second half of the year, including during the Chuseok holiday period.

Gyeongju, which ranked fifth, continues to attract South Korean travelers with its historic sites and rich cultural heritage. The city’s appeal could be further boosted by expanded KTX and KTX-Eum services scheduled to begin in September, offering travelers improved rail connectivity during the autumn travel season.

Alex Park, Country Director, South Korea at Agoda shared, “As the Chuseok holiday approaches, South Korean travelers are showing strong interest in nearby destinations, with domestic travel seeing particularly strong demand. As a global travel platform, Agoda is committed to supporting travelers with diverse preferences by offering great deals on flights, accommodation, and activities, whether they are looking to explore destinations overseas or closer to home.”

As South Korean travelers finalize their Chuseok holiday plans, Agoda continues to offer a seamless booking experience across more than six million holiday properties, 130,000 flight routes, and 300,000 activities worldwide. To find the best deals for autumn travel to Asia and beyond, visit Agoda.com or download the Agoda mobile app. As part of Agoda’s August Mega Sale, travelers can enjoy up to 60% off on hotel bookings during the main sale through 31 August.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/apac/news-releases/agoda-unveils-south-korean-travelers-top-domestic-and-international-destinations-for-chuseok-holiday-302867025.html

SOURCE Agoda

Continue Reading

Technology

TECNO Wins Two IFA Global Product Technology Innovation Awards for Modular Phone and Tonino Lamborghini TECNO TAURUS

Published

on

By

BERLIN, Sept. 5, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — TECNO, a global AI-driven innovative technology brand, achieved two IFA Global Product Technology Innovation Awards at IFA 2026:

Tonino Lamborghini TECNO TAURUS took the Miniaturized Gaming PC Technology Innovation Gold Award, standing out with its Italian aesthetics and exceptional performance in the compact body. The TECNO Modular Phone was honored with the Ultra-Slim Magnetic Modular Technology Innovation Gold Award, praised for its ultra-slim craftsmanship and unique modular magnetic technology.

These awards once again demonstrate TECNO’s sustained breakthroughs in product innovation and industry-leading craftsmanship in design excellence. The Global Product Technology Innovation Awards were established in 2014 by IDG, IFA, and DIHK to celebrate excellence across the global consumer electronics industry. The awards honor products that set new industry benchmarks and drive innovation through intelligent technology and user-centric design.

TECNO Modular Phone: The World’s Thinnest Modular Smartphone

At just 4.9mm, the TECNO Modular Phone is powered by proprietary Modular Magnetic Interconnection Technology. It combines a precision magnetic array with pogo-pin connectors, offering a flexible ecosystem for different needs. The host retains a 3000–4000mAh battery, while modules draw power directly for a snap-and-go experience. It also resolves the inherent conflict between rising AI computing demands and limited device space.

The technology has earned over 20 accolades from leading media, with CNET and Yanko Design naming it the Best of MWC 2026, and The Verge recognizing it as the Best Mobile Tech at MWC 2026.

Tonino Lamborghini TECNO TAURUS: One of the World’s Smallest Water-Cooling Gaming Mini-PCs

At around 6.36 liters, the panoramic transparent chassis of the Tonino Lamborghini TECNO TAURUS fuses iconic Italian design with raw engineering. Powered by the Intel® Core™ i9-13900HK and NVIDIA® GeForce RTX™ 5060 (614 AI TOPS, 145W TGP, DLSS 4), it achieves the pinnacle of performance, providing a high-fidelity gaming experience and high-efficiency AI workstation. The water-cooling system sustains peak frequencies, while 15 ports and WiFi 6E deliver connectivity. It was recognized with Yanko Design’s Best of MWC award.

In addition, TECNO made waves at IFA with the Next-Gen Bezelless Concept Phone featuring a revolutionary 0mm screen bezel, and the convertible laptop MEGABOOK T15 360 Pro. Relentlessly pushing the boundaries of design, performance, and AI innovation, TECNO is pioneering limitless possibilities for futuristic technology.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/tecno-wins-two-ifa-global-product-technology-innovation-awards-for-modular-phone-and-tonino-lamborghini-tecno-taurus-302870739.html

Continue Reading

Trending