Decades of Warning Preceded Sikkim Glacial Lake Outburst Flood

In a tragic turn of events, Sikkim, a picturesque Indian state nestled in the Himalayas, experienced a devastating glacial lake outburst flood (GLOF) on the early morning of October 4th, causing widespread destruction in its wake. The incident has once again brought to light the long-standing warnings issued by government agencies and research studies about the looming threat of GLOFs in the region, highlighting the urgent need for proactive measures to mitigate such disasters.The GLOF, which originated from Lhonak Lake, unleashed a sudden and massive surge of water downstream along the Teesta River Basin, wreaking havoc on its path. The affected districts of Mangan, Gangtok, Pakyong, and Namchi bore the brunt of the catastrophe, leaving a trail of devastation in its wake

China\u27s Economic Scenario Amid Property Sector Turmoil

The burgeoning landscape of China\u27s economic sphere witnessed a surge in factory production and retail transactions during the month of August. However, this growth faces jeopardy due to a dramatic downturn in investments within the beleaguered real estate sector, which threatens to undermine the recent support measures showing signs of stabilizing the otherwise volatile economy.The predicament confronting Chinese policymakers is formidable as they endeavor to resuscitate economic growth following a brief post-COVID surge. This surge was ephemeral, given the persistent fragility of the critical property industry, a faltering currency, and feeble global demand for the nation\u27s manufactured goods

Kazan Declaration 2023: Paving a Path for Afghanistan\u27s Future

On September 29, in a significant display of regional diplomacy and cooperation, special representatives and high-ranking officials from various countries convened in Kazan, Russia, for the fifth meeting of the Moscow format on Afghanistan. The central theme of this gathering was the pressing need to address the complex situation in Afghanistan, focusing on regional security, economic development, and humanitarian aid. The event marked an opportunity for key players to discuss the way forward for the war-torn nation

Fostering Digital Resilience: Strategies for Building Robust Cybersecurity in an Evolving Threat Landscape

With relentless technological advancement and digital transformation, safeguarding an organization\u27s digital assets has never been more critical. The cornerstone of an efficient cybersecurity strategy lies in acknowledging the exceptional value certain assets hold for a company. In an age where the digital landscape is continually expanding, striving to provide uniform protection to every facet of an organization\u27s digital realm is simply unattainable. Yet, within this intricate web of interconnected systems and data, trust stands as the bedrock of the digital business model

Enhancing Bhutan\u27s Tourism Sector: Strategies for Success

Bhutan, often called the \u27Land of the Thunder Dragon,\u27 is celebrated for its pristine landscapes, vibrant culture, and unique approach to prosperity measurement – Gross National Happiness (GNH). While the Kingdom has gained global recognition for its sustainable tourism practices, recent years have brought forth economic challenges. The COVID-19 pandemic, coupled with repercussions from the conflict in Ukraine, has significantly impacted Bhutan\u27s macroeconomic landscape. After experiencing consecutive years of economic contraction in FY19/20 and FY20/21, there have been signs of recovery in the non-hydro industry and services sectors. However, the revival of the tourism industry has been sluggish, partly due to the Tourism Levy Act 2020, which tripled the sustainable development fee for international tourists, elevating it from $65 to$200 per night and most recently reducing it to $100 per night. Additionally, Bhutan grapples with rising youth unemployment, soaring from 20.9 percent in 2021 to 29 percent in 2022, leading to an upsurge in outward migration. In this context, let\u27s explore Bhutan\u27s post-pandemic tourism industry dynamics and its delicate equilibrium between economic growth, environmental preservation, and cultural heritage

Adapting Quickly to Emerging Forms of Warfare in the Indian Context

The military-strategic community is awash with former practitioners, strategic thinkers, and policymakers whose job it is to look at future trends in warfare, influenced as they are by the seductive pull of the latest technological game-changer. In this cacophony of ideas and contestable claims, new means of waging war, for mostly the same old reasons, are discernible and can be grasped by strategic audiences who then look at the specific context in which some of these very ideas could fructify into doable strategic effort for a nation’s overall wellbeing. This paper has tried to view the Indian strategic context without delving into too many specific recommendations for change in our policies, other than to crystallise them, or new structures in the military organisation as it exists. Instead, it tries to view this context through a wide-angle lens, searching for the pros and cons of change in the Sub-continental strategic-military future, and how our top leadership and military commanders could be better prepared, mentally as well as in material capabilities, for a war of the future

Wagner PMC Coup d\u27état: Unmasking the Escalating Danger of Private Military Contractors to National Security

The escalating tension between Moscow\u27s military hierarchy and Yevgeny Prigozhin, the outspoken leader of the private military contractor Wagner, has now escalated into an overt revolt, thrusting Russia into fresh instability and a tangible risk of civil strife. &nbsp

India\u27s LNG Imports: A Viable Alternative to the TAPI Pipeline?

As the world\u27s third-largest energy consumer, India\u27s quest for securing its energy needs is a topic of global interest. The Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) pipeline, a project that promises to deliver natural gas from the energy-rich Central Asian nation of Turkmenistan to energy-hungry India, has been a focal point of this discussion. However, the project\u27s geopolitical complexities and security concerns have raised questions about its feasibility. Amid these uncertainties, India\u27s increasing reliance on Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) imports presents an intriguing alternative.   &nbsp

The Future of Globalization: Adapting to Evolving Economic Realities

Over the past few decades, globalization has been a prevailing trend in the world economy, fostering increased interconnectedness and interdependence among nations through trade, investment, exchanging goods and services, information, and ideas. The relationship between globalization and the supply chain has grown in tandem, mutually reinforcing each other\u27s growth. However, recent years have witnessed headwinds challenging the former\u27s trajectory. While globalization has yielded economic growth, poverty reduction, and enhanced access to goods and services, it has also faced criticisms for widening inequality, environmental degradation, and social disruptions. This article examines the "future of globalization", especially in light of geopolitical tensions, trade disputes, and the US-China technology competition, which have sparked debates about its continuity. Furthermore, it explores the transformative governance necessary to adapt to evolving economic realities

Assessing the Impact of the Fintech Development Plan (2022-2025) on China\u27s Fintech Sector

2022, a significant shift occurred as China embarked on the Fintech Development Plan (2022-2025) [金融科技发展规划 (2022-2025年)]. That year marked a transition from fortifying the foundation of fintech to leveraging its growth potential. As fintech continues to reshape the global financial landscape at a breakneck pace, China emerges as a frontrunner with its financial institutions actively embracing digital transformation in 2022, utilizing cutting-edge financial technologies to ensure the sustained and stable growth of the fintech sector. They also enhanced the overarching system and established ethical and prudent regulations for fintech. Unveiled by the People\u27s Bank of China (PBoC) in January 2022, this forward-looking plan articulates the government\u27s strategic vision for the fintech sector in the coming four years. The first Plan — Fintech Development Plan for 2019-2021, released in 2019, focused on laying the foundation for the fintech sector, while this new Plan emphasizes building on this foundation to achieve rapid growth in the industry by 2025. In this exploration, we delve into the foundational principles, primary objectives, and the plan\u27s influence on emerging trends shaping the future of the fintech landscape in China