AutoFlight has completed a heterogeneous three-aircraft formation flight with the V5000 Matrix, a 5-metric-ton electric aircraft that could push eVTOL technology well beyond the urban air taxi niche. The mission – one V5000 Matrix flying in coordination with two V2000-series aircraft – validated cross-platform communication links, route planning, flight coordination, and safety control across 5-ton and 2-ton platforms simultaneously. Many eVTOLs making headlines are compact machines designed to ferry two or four passengers across a city center. AutoFlight is literally thinking much bigger. The V5000 Matrix spans 20 m (65.6 ft) wingtip to wingtip, stretches 17.1 m (56.1 ft) in length, stands nearly 3.3 m (11 ft) tall, and has a maximum takeoff weight of 5,700 kg (12,566 lb) – making it the largest publicly known, full-scale crewed eVTOL in development by sheer physical footprint. AutoFlight Matrix formation flight To appreciate how far ahead that puts the Matrix, consider the competition. The Lilium Jet, one of the widest eVTOLs ever designed with a wingspan pushing 14 m (45.9 ft), caps out at 3,175 kg (7,000 lb). Joby’s S4 – the furthest along in FAA certification – is smaller still, at roughly 2,400 kg (5,291 lb) and a wingspan of 14 m (46 ft). BETA’s ALIA and Archer’s Midnight both sit around 15-m (49.2 ft) wingspans. No other eVTOL currently flying or in late-stage development matches the Matrix’s wingspan-plus-length footprint. Unless one does, and it’s currently classified. The Matrix is a platform with two distinct personalities. The all-electric passenger version seats up to 10 in a business-class layout or six in a VIP configuration, with lavatories, climate control, ambient lighting, and oversized windows. AutoFlight compares its cabin experience to that of high-end business jets. Electric range is 250 km (155 miles). Back in February, this version completed a full transition flight at the Kunshan civil drone test base in China – moving from vertical takeoff to fixed-wing cruise and back to vertical landing. That’s a technical hurdle many next-generation aircraft designs have yet to clear. The formation test validated communication, route planning, flight coordination, and safety control across the VTOL platformsAutoFlight The cargo variant, designated V5000CGH, swaps pure-electric propulsion for a hybrid-electric system that dramatically extends its reach. Its 14-cubic-meter (494-cu-ft) hold fits two standard AKE containers – the same storage units used in commercial aviation – and carries up to 1,500 kg (3,307 lb) of payload. With that hybrid-electric system pushing it to 280 km/h (174 mph) over distances up to 1,500 km (932 miles), it sits firmly in regional logistics territory. AutoFlight has just announced that this flavor has officially entered the airworthiness certification process, signaling a move from R&D validation to a standardized regulatory approval path. The Matrix uses the “Lift and Cruise” composite-wing configuration AutoFlight has refined across previous models, including the Gen-4 Prosperity – the aircraft the company used in 2023 to set what was then the longest eVTOL flight on record, covering 250 km (155 miles). Six rotor rows handle vertical thrust during takeoff and landing, while the wings generate lift in cruise. Twenty lift motors run in parallel, and AutoFlight says the system remains safe even if two fail simultaneously. That redundancy matters when the aircraft is carrying 10 human lives or a metric ton and a half of valuable freight. The V5000 Matrix spans 20 meters (65.6 ft) and has a maximum takeoff weight of 5,700 kg (12,566 lb)AutoFlight The Matrix could eventually operate from the solar-powered floating airports AutoFlight unveiled in Shanghai last November – vertical takeoff and landing platforms installed on river or coastal barges. Pair that infrastructure with an aircraft of this size, and use cases will start to pile up, from disaster response to logistics in infrastructure-poor regions. Source: AutoFlight via PR Newswire source

Samsung Ads Southeast Asia has partnered with global data technology firm Eyeota, a Dun & Bradstreet company, to overlay viewership insights from millions of Samsung Smart TVs with Eyeota’s consumer data for the first time. The move aims to help advertisers better reach relevant household audiences across Singapore, Thailand and the Philippines through connected TV (CTV) campaigns. The collaboration, which comes 18 months after Samsung Ads launched its free streaming service Samsung TV Plus in Southeast Asia, marks its first data partnership in the region. It combines Samsung TV’s scale and regional reach with Eyeota’s data network, strengthening Samsung Ads’ targeting capabilities. Don’t miss: How advertisers can deliver premium CTV ad experiences without overspending With the integration, advertisers can target audiences based on demographics, interests and behavioural signals, enabling more precise delivery of native and video ad formats on the largest screen in the home, as CTV adoption accelerates across Southeast Asia. “Our new partnership with Eyeota empowers advertisers to unlock the full potential of CTV. The combination of scale and unique audience segmentation gives brands greater confidence that their campaigns are reaching the right consumers to ultimately deliver better outcomes,” said Alex Spurzem, managing director Samsung Ads Southeast Asia and Oceania (SEAO). In tandem, Marc Fanelli, General Manager, Dun & Bradstreet sales and marketing services, commented, “Whether the goal is driving broad discovery or accurately converting intent into purchase, understanding CTV audiences and meeting them where they are watching is key to delivering campaign impact.” “Our work with Samsung Ads significantly increases accessibility for brands and advertisers, ensuring campaign budgets are spent reaching the audiences that matter most,” he added.  Samsung Ads has also been scaling its CTV ecosystem through existing infrastructure partnerships. Last year, it extended its multi-year global partnership with Publica by IAS, reinforcing an exclusive collaboration aimed at enhancing CTV ad experiences worldwide. The deal saw Samsung Ads continue leveraging Publica’s CTV ad server and unified auction technology to improve yield, optimise ad revenue and deliver a more seamless, TV-like viewing experience. Through Publica, Samsung Ads gives advertisers access to premium CTV inventory on Samsung TV Plus, the company’s free ad-supported TV (FAST) service streaming more than 700 channels in the US and 3,500 globally. Related articles: Marketers to slash display spend by 30% as AI and CTV redefine engagement: Forrester   Half of CTV viewers use the home screen as their guide – and brands are taking notice   LinkedIn ramps up video ad tools, launches First Impression ads and CTV upgrades for B2B source

Europe’s largest 3D-printed apartment building has been completed in France. Containing 12 social housing apartments spread across three floors, the project’s printing process was carried out in just 34 days. ViliaSprint² was created by developer Plurial Novilia, with designer HOBO Architecture, and printed by PERI 3D Construction using a COBOD BOD2 3D printer, which is the same type used in the previously covered 3D-printed data center and earthquake-resistant house. It’s positioned next to another very similar building by the same developer, which was constructed using traditional techniques and took three months longer to complete. ViliaSprint² was completed three months faster than a neighboring conventionally constructed buildingPlurial Novilia According to COBOD, ViliaSprint² is the first building in France in which both the load-bearing structure and all walls were printed directly on-site. The COBOD BOD2 printer extruded a cement-like mixture supplied by Holcim in layers to build up the basic shell. This printing was originally planned to last 50 days but took just 34 days in all, with three human operators overseeing the work. The rest of the build process, including traditional construction work by human builders like adding the roof, windows, and wiring, began in March 2025 and was completed in early 2026. “The curved facade and rounded floorplan are only economical because of 3D printing, complex geometries that would add significant cost with conventional formwork come at no premium,” says COBOD. “On-site concrete production further reduces transport emissions. The optimized form also saved approximately 10% of concrete volume. The building integrates perlite insulation, timber balcony structures, 500 sq m (5,400 sq ft) of photovoltaic panels, and a hybrid gas/heat pump system by Atlantic Systèmes, achieving around 60% energy self-sufficiency in compliance with France’s RE2020 2025 [green building] targets.” The interior consists of 800 sq m (8,611 sq ft) of living space, spread over the three floors. Each of the dozen social housing apartments also comes with its own balcony. Each of the apartments in ViliaSprint² opens onto its own balcony areaPlurial Novilia As far as we can tell, the ViliaSprint² could actually be the world’s largest 3D-printed apartment building, but with this construction space being so decentralized and fast-moving, perhaps we’ve missed one. Let us know in the comments if you know of something larger. Looking to the future, Plurial Novilia and its partners are planning another larger project containing approximately 40 apartments using two 3D printers simultaneously. The aim is to reduce print time by a factor of four and lower costs to that of conventional construction. Sources: Plurial Novilia [in French], COBOD source

Jewel Changi Airport has transformed into a floral-themed playground with the launch of “Celebrate Jewel blooms with LEGO Botanicals”, a large-scale experiential activation featuring around 800,000 LEGO bricks, making it Southeast Asia’s largest LEGO Botanicals showcase in a mall. Running from 26 May 2026, the limited-time takeover spans Jewel’s Forest Valley and Canopy Park, reimagining the airport-linked lifestyle destination as a walk-through floral journey built through LEGO Botanicals and LEGO Icons collections. The activation is designed to blend retail, experiential storytelling and interactive engagement, encouraging visitors to explore Jewel’s indoor landscape in a more immersive, play-led way while extending dwell time across the attraction. Don’t miss: LEGO Group India and emerging Asia marketing lead exits At Forest Valley, visitors are greeted by large-scale installations set against the Rain Vortex, including a pair of 2-metre LEGO Rose centrepieces. Smaller whimsical builds such as ‘LEGO Botanicals happy plants’ and ‘Rocking plants’ are woven into the greenery, creating moments of discovery across the space. The experience continues at Canopy Park, which has been reimagined as a global horticultural trail inspired by the LEGO Icons “Gardens of the world” series. Each zone draws from different landscape inspirations, reinterpreting them through LEGO builds. Highlights include a Japanese-inspired garden at the Source Pool featuring koi, water lilies and a LEGO-built house, alongside Mediterranean and English countryside-inspired scenes at Foggy Bowls and Petal Garden. These installations reference LEGO Icons sets such as ‘Tranquil garden’, ‘Fountain garden’ and ‘Autumn cottage garden’, translated into life-sized, walk-through environments. Beyond the installations, visitors can participate in a seven-stop stamp rally across Jewel, including Canopy Park, with completed cards redeemable for exclusive LEGO merchandise at a pop-up store located at Basement 1. The store also features large-scale LEGO builds and curated displays designed for photo opportunities. Shoppers are further incentivised through a series of promotions, including LEGO premiums with minimum spend, UOB cardholder rewards, Canopy Park ticket discounts, and food and beverage tie-ins such as discounted ice cream at Monarchs & Milkweed. A fashion showcase, created in collaboration with the Singapore Fashion Council, extends the activation into wearable design. A group of designers including Joanna Lim, Sabrina Goh, Kha Ngo, Bhajinder Kaur, Clara Simanjuntak, Horas Napitupulu and Sylvia Lim have reinterpreted LEGO Botanicals through sculptural, floral-inspired pieces that remain on display at Jewel following their runway debut. The showcase positions LEGO Botanicals beyond product play, reframing it as a creative medium spanning fashion, architecture and storytelling, while adding another experiential layer to the broader Jewel activation. The “Celebrate Jewel blooms with LEGO Botanicals” experience runs until late August 2026, with selected elements available for limited periods across Jewel Changi Airport. “This collaboration reflects Jewel’s ongoing efforts to create distinctive experiences to delight visitors. By reinterpreting Jewel’s iconic indoor environment through the creative lens of LEGO, we are offering visitors a fresh and inspiring way to experience familiar spaces, complemented by exclusive retail offerings and experiential showcases,” said Lee Ching Wern, chief executive officer, Jewel Changi Airport. “Canopy Park, in particular, has been transformed into a playful and vibrant wonderland with LEGO signature bricks and we are excited for our visitors to fully experience the immersive set-up,” added Lee. In tandem, Nina Patricia Da Costa, general manager, Singapore, Malaysia, travel retail APAC, LEGO Group said the brand wanted to create an experience that encourages people to slow down and explore together in a playful and meaningful way. “At the LEGO Group, we believe play has the power to spark creativity, foster connection and inspire imagination across generations. By blending Jewel’s deep connection to nature with the tactile and mindful experience of LEGO building, the activation invites visitors to experience LEGO Botanicals in an immersive and unexpected way,” said Da Costa. “We are also excited to collaborate with Singaporean designers through the LEGO Botanicals fashion showcase, highlighting the versatility of LEGO Botanicals as a creative medium while bringing fresh local perspectives to the experience. We hope visitors of all ages will discover memorable moments together across Jewel – one brick at a time,” she added. MARKETING-INTERACTIVE has reached out for more information.  The activation marks LEGO Botanicals’ most extensive experiential showcase in Singapore to date, extending the brand’s push into large-scale, immersive retail storytelling beyond earlier activations such as its Valentine’s Day “Bloom bar” pop-up at Raffles City earlier this year, which invited visitors to build their own bouquet through curated in-store experiences and city-wide touchpoints. That earlier campaign included a limited-time installation, interactive photo opportunities and Valentine’s-themed retail tie-ins across Singapore, positioning LEGO Botanicals as a gifting alternative that blended play with seasonal floral traditions. Photo credits to Jewel Changi Airport and The LEGO Group.  Related articles: LEGO brings Singapore’s shophouses to life brick by brick Can you build your dream ride? LEGO dares kids to take the wheel The LEGO Group builds big with expanded Singapore hub source

Kai James, Georgia Institute of Technology/ The Conversation On May 22, 2026, the Pentagon released a second batch of previously classified photos and videos showing what appear to be unexplained flying objects. These file dumps were the culmination of a process that was set in motion back in July 2023, when a group of government whistleblowers testified before Congress that the US government was secretly in possession of extraterrestrial spacecraft and suspected alien body parts. That congressional hearing marked the beginning of a cultural shift in which UFO reports are increasingly treated as a matter for serious discussion, both within the government and the scientific community. But is this newfound legitimacy deserved? As an aerospace scientist who studies aircraft and spacecraft design, I approach this question using math, physics, and the principles of engineering. To assess the plausibility of alien visitors, it’s necessary to understand the obstacles that an extraterrestrial vessel would need to overcome to reach Earth. The tyranny of distance There is no evidence of intelligent alien life in our Solar System. So any extraterrestrial visitors would likely have to come from another star system within our Milky Way galaxy. Proxima Centauri, the star closest to our Sun, is located 4.25 light-years (about 25 trillion miles or 40 trillion kilometers) away. For perspective, if Earth were the size of a pea, the distance to Proxima Centauri would roughly equal the distance between New York and Sydney, Australia. How Far Are The Nearest Stars? Since only a fraction of stars are thought to host intelligent life, the nearest alien civilization – if one exists – is surely much farther away than Proxima. A need for speed Given the scale of interstellar distances, it’s inevitable that any alien voyage to Earth would span many years and possibly several centuries. But as the time spent in transit increases, so does the risk of catastrophic accidents or system malfunctions that could jeopardize the mission. So it’s important to avoid an overly lengthy journey by traveling as fast as possible. No object can reach or exceed the speed of light (roughly 186,000 miles or 300,000 kilometers per second). But well before approaching that threshold, engineering constraints begin to assert themselves. Limited fuel availability and the potential for structural damage will restrict the spacecraft’s peak velocity. There is no universally accepted upper limit on interstellar flight speeds, but studies tend to converge around 19,000 miles per second (30,000 km/s) – 10% of the speed of light – as a realistic cruise velocity. At this speed, a journey of 10 light-years will take approximately 100 years to complete. Fueling the dream Finding a way to accelerate the ship to its target cruise speed is the central challenge facing any would-be alien explorers. Interstellar space is unforgivingly vast, but the emptiness has some advantages. The lack of atmosphere means there is no aerodynamic drag. So when the ship reaches its cruise speed, it can shut down its propulsion system and coast toward the final destination. Unfortunately, the lack of atmosphere also means there is nothing to slow the ship down prior to arrival. So ideally, the propulsion system would be used for both acceleration at the start of the trip and deceleration at the end. One of the more exotic propulsion strategies employs high-powered laser beams to push the ship through space. The beam is projected from a stationary array near the travelers’ home planet and directed toward a thin reflective sail attached to the ship. The beam’s photons exert radiation pressure on the sail, propelling the ship forward. This approach has a major advantage in that it requires no onboard fuel. But the amount of energy and infrastructure needed to operate the laser would be staggering. Also, beamed propulsion provides no mechanism for deceleration. At best, this method could be deployed as part of a hybrid strategy that uses a separate system for deceleration. A more practical approach is to use rocket propulsion. Rockets generate propulsive force, also known as thrust, by expelling high-velocity exhaust in a rearward stream. By reversing the direction of the exhaust, rockets can also be used to slow the ship down. Their main disadvantage is that rockets must carry their own fuel in addition to carrying the passengers, the habitat, and other life-sustaining systems. The extra load necessitates even more fuel. In other words, you need fuel to transport your fuel. The result is a costly snowball effect that can cause the total fuel requirement to balloon to absurd proportions. Rocket propulsion can be divided into three broad categories. Chemical propulsion uses chemical reactions – typically combustion – to extract energy from the bonds between atoms. All human space missions thus far have used chemical propulsion. The problem with this method is that it accesses only a tiny fraction of the energy contained within the fuel. Consequently, using chemical propulsion on a spacecraft with a cruise velocity of 19,000 miles per second (30,000 km/s) would require more fuel than all the mass in the observable universe. Antimatter propulsion is theoretically the most efficient option. When antimatter comes into contact with ordinary matter, the two undergo mutual annihilation and 100% of their combined mass is converted into energy. This makes it possible to achieve the same cruise velocity – one-tenth the speed of light – with fuel accounting for less than a quarter of the ship’s total mass. This is science fiction-level fuel efficiency, which makes antimatter an attractive option for interstellar propulsion. The downside is that antimatter is extremely unstable and difficult to make. To date, particle physicists have produced less than 20 billionths of a gram of antimatter. Moreover, these particles had lifespans lasting only fractions of a second and a price tag in the hundreds of millions of dollars. Nuclear fusion offers a more viable alternative to antimatter. This approach harvests energy stored inside the nucleus of an atom using the same process that powers the Sun. With current technology, fusion engines remain aspirational, but they could,

Dow Jones futures edged lower early Tuesday, while S&P 500 futures and especially Nasdaq futures fell. Crude oil topped $100 a barrel while South Korea’s memory-dominated Kospi tumbled as a top presidential adviser discussed giving excess AI profits to citizens. The CPI inflation report is due early Tuesday, with energy prices in focus. The stock market eked out slim gains… Copyright ©2026 Investor’s Business Daily, LLC. All rights reserved. 87990cbe856818d5eddac44c7b1cdeb8 source

Publicis Groupe Indonesia has acquired Inter Pariwara Global and iLab Indonesia in a move that strengthens its media capabilities and deepens its footprint in one of Southeast Asia’s fastest-growing markets. The agencies will be integrated under Spark Foundry Indonesia, adding around 150 media professionals to the network and expanding its offering across both global and local client portfolios. The acquisition is positioned as part of Publicis Groupe’s broader push to combine local market expertise with its global data, technology and innovation capabilities, with the aim of delivering more integrated and future-ready solutions for clients in Indonesia. Don’t miss: Publicis Groupe to acquire sports agency 160over90  Amrita Randhawa, CEO of Publicis Groupe Singapore and Southeast Asia, said the move reflects the group’s continued confidence in the market at a time when parts of the industry are pulling back. “Indonesia is one of the most important and high-potential markets in Southeast Asia, and this acquisition reflects our continued commitment and optimism for its future at a time when much of the industry seems focused on divestment,” said Randhawa. “This allows us to combine deep local expertise with the full power of our global capabilities in data, technology and innovation. Together, we are building a stronger, more future-ready offering for our clients,” she added.  The transaction is subject to customary closing conditions. The expansion builds on Publicis Groupe’s wider investments across the region, including Lotame in the data and identity space, HEPMIL in influencer marketing, and its artificial intelligence initiatives such as the APAC AI Hub in partnership with the Singapore Economic Development Board. Together, these capabilities are designed to strengthen the group’s connected ecosystem and future-proof its operations across Southeast Asia. Beyond the region, Publicis has also continued to position itself as a leader in the shift toward AI-driven marketing transformation. Most recently, it acquired LiveRamp in a US$2.2 billion all-cash deal.  The deal builds on its 2019 acquisition of Epsilon, which gave the group a major identity and first-party data platform. LiveRamp adds clean rooms, data connectivity, marketplace capabilities and a wider partner network, creating what Publicis argues will be a stronger foundation for enterprise AI and agentic business transformation. The group has been one of the most aggressive in reshaping its model around data and AI infrastructure, with LiveRamp expected to add another layer to its ecosystem by enabling clients to build proprietary data assets through secure collaboration across merchants, publishers, payment networks and supply chains. Related articles:  Publicis Groupe ramps up China luxury play with expanded Publicis Luxe unit  Microsoft reportedly shifts global media mandate to new agency  Can Publicis’ HEPMIL acquisition unlock new opportunities for boutique influencer agencies?  source

Cement has been a vital building block (pun intended) in constructing civilization. However, its manufacturing process has also made it a wrecking ball on the environment, with a carbon footprint that rivals that of the aviation industry. Scientists from the University of British Columbia have devised a method that dramatically cuts cement’s carbon footprint using electricity. Their process, outlined in ACS Energy Letters, significantly lowers the extreme heating requirements of cement manufacturing by incorporating a preheating electrochemical conversion step. Their approach also utilizes recycled cement and concrete to achieve an even lower carbon footprint. Cement is one of the world’s most widely used industrial materials. Humanity produces roughly 4 billion tons of it every year, mixing the fine powder with water, sand, and aggregates like gravel to create concrete and mortar used in buildings, bridges, roads, tunnels, dams, and countless other forms of infrastructure. In fact, much of modern civilization is quite literally built on it. Cement’s ubiquity stems from the remarkable durability and compressive strength it provides to structures, allowing them to last for decades or even centuries. Unfortunately, the material also sits at the center of one of the planet’s biggest industrial climate problems. Cement production is estimated to account for roughly 8% of global CO₂ emissions, more than the entire aviation industry. The bulk of the problem lies not with the finished cement itself but with its manufacturing process. Modern cement production begins primarily with limestone (calcium carbonate, CaCO₃) and silica-rich minerals such as clay or sand. These raw materials are fed into giant rotary kilns and heated to temperatures approaching 2600 °F (1450 °C), partially melting and chemically transforming the mixture into hardened nodules known as clinker: the intermediate material later ground into the fine powder we recognize as cement. Clinker consists predominantly of calcium silicate minerals known as alite and belite, compounds largely responsible for cement’s strength and hardening behavior. A sample of clinker drawn from a kiln凰兰时罗/C.C. 4.0 Now, this process has a two-fold problem that generates emissions in two separate ways. First, maintaining kiln temperatures hot enough to partially melt rock requires enormous amounts of energy, traditionally supplied by burning coal, petroleum coke, or natural gas. Cement kilns are among the most energy-intensive industrial systems on Earth. Second, and more importantly, the chemistry itself directly releases carbon dioxide. As limestone is heated, it undergoes thermal decomposition in a reaction known as calcination, breaking apart into calcium oxide and CO₂ gas. This process means a significant portion of cement emissions is fundamentally embedded in the manufacturing chemistry itself, making the industry particularly difficult to decarbonize even if renewable electricity is used. To mitigate these issues, the researchers turned to a different approach: electrochemistry. Instead of relying almost entirely on giant fossil-fuel-heated kilns to drive cement-forming reactions, the team developed a continuous electrochemical reactor capable of converting limestone and silica into calcium silicate hydrate using electricity. The researchers refer to the material as electrochemically synthesized calcium silicate hydrate, or eCSH. The new process changes the pathway by which clinker minerals form. Instead of using extreme heat to produce clinker, electrical energy drives ion transport and chemical reactions within the reactor, assembling the precursor material, eCSH, under significantly milder conditions, before a subsequent heating stage converts it into belite-rich clinker. “Our team was motivated to address cement production emissions at the source,” said Curtis Berlinguette, co-author of the study. “We used electricity and recycled cement to make precursors that formed a type of cement called belite at lower temperatures than were previously known.” Crucially, the initial electrochemical conversion itself occurred at just 140 °F (60 °C), dramatically lower than the temperatures required in conventional cement manufacturing. The second heating performs the final conversion at 1200 °F (650 °C). While this is still hot by ordinary standards, it is well below the roughly 2200 °F (1200 °C) temperatures typically required to form belite using conventional methods, and far below the 2600 °F (1450 °C) temperatures used in ordinary Portland cement clinker production. That is an enormous reduction in industrial thermal demand. Lower reaction temperatures mean less fuel consumption, lower operating costs, reduced furnace stress, and a manufacturing process that becomes far easier to electrify using renewable energy sources. According to the researchers, the new approach reduced overall thermal energy demand by roughly 70% compared to conventional cement production. The researchers also demonstrated another potentially significant advantage: the ability to produce eCSH using waste cement recovered from demolished concrete rather than freshly mined limestone. This ability means that old cement materials could theoretically become feedstock for new low-carbon cement production, opening the door to a more circular manufacturing cycle for one of the world’s most widely consumed industrial materials. Waste concrete could be recycled in the new processDepositphotos Using recycled cement feedstock produced the study’s most dramatic emissions numbers. The researchers estimated that the process emitted only about 20 kg (44 lb) of CO₂ per ton of belite-rich clinker produced, compared to roughly 800 kg (1,764 lb) of CO₂ per ton during conventional ordinary Portland cement production, a reduction of nearly 98%. As yet another benefit, the electrochemical reactions also generated hydrogen gas as a byproduct. According to the researchers, the hydrogen could potentially be burned to supply the thermal energy required for the second kiln stage, further reducing or even eliminating the need for fossil fuels during production. While the resulting belite-rich cement may not replace every type of cement used today, it could prove particularly useful in massive infrastructure projects such as dams, where belite-based formulations are valued for generating less heat during curing, reducing the risk of internal cracking in enormous concrete pours. And while the technology remains at the research stage, the work presents one of the more credible pathways yet proposed for dramatically reducing the environmental footprint of one of humanity’s most essential and most polluting industrial materials. The paper’s authors are co-founders of a company commercializing the technology. Their institution, the University of British Columbia, has filed an international patent application

Creative veteran Thomas Yang (pictured) has exited DDB Group Singapore after more than 16 years with the agency network. He is set to join Leo Singapore as senior creative director and head of art, reporting to Asheen Naidu, group executive director.  Yang unveiled his departure in a LinkedIn post, marking the end of a long-running stint at DDB where he most recently served as executive creative director and head of art and design from 2020 to 2026. Prior to that, he held the role of deputy executive creative director and head of art and design at DDB Group Singapore from 2010 to 2020. He first joined the agency in 2009 as associate creative director. Don’t miss: Agency agenda: Tony Harradine outlines Omnicom Media APAC’s post-deal plan Before DDB, Yang spent time at JWT Singapore, where he served as associate creative director from 2007 to 2009 and head of art from 2005 to 2007. Over the course of his career, Yang has also held roles at M&C Saatchi Singapore, 10AM Communications, BBDO Singapore and Ogilvy Singapore. Reflecting on today’s creative landscape, Yang believes that strategic thinking precedes craft, and that the mark of any great art director is flexibility, as well as having a design sense unrestricted by a particular style. “I’ve spent my career believing that good ideas should feel simple, human and relatable. Leo Singapore’s recent work reflects that spirit, and I’m excited to join the team to create work that puts Singapore creativity firmly on the global stage again,” he added. In tandem, Naidu said “We couldn’t be happier to have Yang join us at such an exciting time. He’s a bit of an industry legend, which was made very clear by the thrill of the creatives when they found out he was coming over.” “He’s already had a big impact and we’re looking forward to even more,” added Naidu.  Yang’s departure also comes amid wider restructuring across the network. Following the Omnicom–IPG merger, DDB was among several legacy agency brands earmarked to be phased out globally and consolidated into other Omnicom networks In December last year, Jeff Cheong stepped down as CEO of DDB Singapore, ending a more than 17-year run at the agency. At the time, Sean Donovan, who leads Omnicom Advertising, thanked Cheong for his contributions to DDB and Tribal Worldwide over the years, while Cheong told MARKETING-INTERACTIVE he was “energised by the support of partners and clients” as he entered the “second half” of his career.” Related articles: Omnicom Advertising Asia unveils regional leadership team  Omnicom’s first results post-IPG show merger costs bite, underlying performance holds  Omnicom PR reportedly restructures agency portfolio source

Dow Jones futures fell slightly early Monday, along with S&P 500 futures and Nasdaq futures. Oil prices reversed lower amid an Iranian media report that the U.S. could waive Iran oil sanctions. President Donald Trump warning Iran that “the Clock is Ticking.” Dow giants Nvidia (NVDA) and Walmart (WMT) headline earnings reports this week. The stock market’s major indexes were… Copyright ©2026 Investor’s Business Daily, LLC. All rights reserved. 87990cbe856818d5eddac44c7b1cdeb8 source