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The Multipolar Shift The global order is undergoing a seismic transformation, transitioning from the unipolar dominance of the post-Cold War era to an increasingly multipolar landscape. With emerging powers like China, India, and Brazil challenging the traditional dominance of Western nations, this new global order is marked by fragmented interests and dynamic alliances. While this shift offers opportunities for collaborative progress, it also brings challenges that demand careful navigation. The Forces Behind Multipolarity India’s Unified Payments Interface (UPI) is a testament to how emerging powers are contributing to the global technological shift. Widely adopted for seamless financial transactions, UPI is now being integrated into the payment systems of countries like France, Singapore and the UAE, showcasing India’s technological leadership in financial innovation. The transition to a multipolar world is driven by significant economic, technological, and geopolitical changes. Emerging economies are reshaping the global economic balance, with nations like China and India collectively accounting for over 20% of global GDP in 2023. This economic rebalancing is challenging the hegemony of Western economies and creating new centers of trade and innovation. Technological advancements have democratized access to innovation, enabling countries to bypass traditional stages of development. Artificial Intelligence (AI), green energy, and digital infrastructure are creating competitive advantages for nations like South Korea, Singapore, and India. India’s Aadhaar program, the world’s largest biometric ID system, exemplifies how technology can transform governance and inclusion. Geopolitical rebalancing is another driving force, as regional powers assert themselves on the global stage. The US-China strategic rivalry, Russia’s actions in Ukraine, and the strengthening of regional alliances like ASEAN and the African Union signal a shift from a single global hegemon to diversified power centers. Challenges in a Fragmented Global Order The ongoing Israel-Palestine conflict has added another dimension to the complexities of a fragmented global order. This long-standing geopolitical issue highlights the challenges of achieving a unified international response, as nations often take polarized stances based on historical ties and strategic interests. The recent escalation has not only deepened regional instability but has also exposed the limitations of global institutions in resolving protracted conflicts. Diverging national interests have heightened the risk of economic protectionism and trade wars. The US-China decoupling in technology and trade has disrupted global supply chains, complicating international cooperation. Institutions like the United Nations, World Trade Organization, and International Monetary Fund are struggling to adapt to this fragmented order. The Doha Round of WTO negotiations, for instance, has seen limited progress, reflecting the difficulty of achieving consensus among increasingly divided member states. Global security concerns further complicate the scenario. Regional conflicts, such as the Ukraine war and tensions over Taiwan, highlight the fragility of global peace. Cyber warfare and hybrid conflicts add layers of complexity to international relations. Meanwhile, economic disparities between and within nations persist. While globalization has lifted millions out of poverty, income inequality remains a pressing issue, with low-income countries facing a 70% debt-to-GDP ratio in 2023 according to the World Bank. Opportunities in a Multipolar World Despite these challenges, a multipolar world offers unique opportunities. Diverse leadership enables collaborative efforts to address global challenges like climate change and pandemics. Initiatives such as the Paris Agreement and COVAX demonstrate the potential of collective action. Regional cooperation is becoming increasingly relevant. Alliances like BRICS and the European Union are fostering economic growth and integration. For example, BRICS nations have launched initiatives to enhance trade and investment, showcasing the power of regional partnerships. Technological innovation is also bridging gaps. Kenya’s mobile banking system, M-Pesa, has transformed financial inclusion in Africa, demonstrating how innovation can drive progress even in resource-constrained settings. Decentralized power centers encourage balanced cultural and knowledge exchange, enriching global dialogue and fostering mutual understanding. India’s Role in the Multipolar World India occupies a unique position in this evolving global order. Its G20 presidency in 2023 highlighted its commitment to inclusive growth and sustainable development. Partnerships with the US through QUAD, energy agreements with Russia, and developmental assistance to Africa underscore India’s ability to balance competing interests. Domestically, India’s focus on digital transformation, infrastructure development, and renewable energy aligns with its aspirations to lead in a multipolar world. The International Solar Alliance, co-founded by India, exemplifies its leadership in global climate action, showcasing its ability to address critical global challenges. The Road Ahead: Navigating Multipolarity To thrive in a multipolar world, nations must adopt inclusive and adaptive strategies. Reforming multilateral institutions to include emerging powers like India and Brazil can ensure equitable representation in global governance. Building resilience against global shocks such as climate change and pandemics will require coordinated efforts across borders. Furthermore, fostering cooperation among governments, businesses, and civil society is essential for tackling shared challenges effectively. Toward a Balanced Global Order The transition to a multipolar world is both inevitable and transformative. While challenges such as geopolitical rivalries and economic disparities persist, the opportunities for collaborative progress and innovation are immense. By fostering dialogue, reforming institutions, and leveraging diverse leadership, the global community can navigate this fragmented order effectively. A multipolar world offers the chance to move beyond dominance and hierarchy, creating a future where every nation contributes to a balanced and resilient global order. The key lies in embracing inclusivity, adaptability, and mutual respect, ensuring that this transition paves the way for a more equitable and prosperous world. Arhan Bagati is a distinguished Kashmiri Pandit and a prominent figure in social work and public policy, focusing on the development of Jammu & Kashmir. He has a notable academic background, with studies at Pomona College, the University of Cambridge, and currently at Harvard, pursuing a Master’s in Public Policy. Arhan’s leadership extends beyond academia, particularly through his role as the Awareness and Impact Ambassador for the Paralympic Committee of India, and as the founder of KYARI, which addresses critical issues in Kashmir, from education to sustainable development​.

Regional countries to benefit from early warning systems

Police Blotter - Dec. 26

Boxing Day shopper footfall was down 7.9% from last year across all UK retail destinations up until 5pm, MRI Software’s OnLocation Footfall Index found. However, this year’s data had been compared with an unusual spike in footfall as 2023 was the first “proper Christmas” period without Covid-19 pandemic restrictions, an analyst at the retail technology company said. It found £4.6 billion will be spent overall on the festive sales. Before the pandemic the number of Boxing Day shoppers on the streets had been declining year on year. The last uplift recorded by MRI was in 2015. Jenni Matthews, marketing and insights director at MRI Software, told the PA news agency: “We’ve got to bear in mind that (last year) was our first proper Christmas without any (Covid-19) restrictions or limitations. “Figures have come out that things have stabilised, we’re almost back to what we saw pre-pandemic.” There were year-on-year declines in footfall anywhere between 5% and 12% before Covid-19 restrictions, she said. MRI found 12% fewer people were out shopping on Boxing Day in 2019 than in 2018, and there were 3% fewer in 2018 than in 2017, Ms Matthews added. She said: “It’s the shift to online shopping, it’s the convenience, you’ve got the family days that take place on Christmas Day and Boxing Day.” People are also increasingly stocking-up before Christmas, Ms Matthews said, and MRI found an 18% increase in footfall at all UK retail destinations on Christmas Eve this year compared with 2023. Ms Matthews said: “We see the shops are full of people all the way up to Christmas Eve, so they’ve probably got a couple of good days of food, goodies, everything that they need, and they don’t really need to go out again until later on in that week. “We did see that big boost on Christmas Eve. It looks like shoppers may have concentrated much of their spending in that pre-Christmas rush.” Many online sales kicked off between December 23 and the night of Christmas Day and “a lot of people would have grabbed those bargains from the comfort of their own home”, she said. She added: “I feel like it’s becoming more and more common that people are grabbing the bargains pre-Christmas.” Footfall is expected to rise on December 27 as people emerge from family visits and shops re-open, including Next, Marks and Spencer and John Lewis that all shut for Boxing Day. It will also be payday for some as it is the last Friday of the month. A study by Barclays Consumer Spend had forecast that shoppers would spend £236 each on average in the Boxing Day sales this year, but that the majority of purchases would be made online. Nearly half of respondents said the cost-of-living crisis will affect their post-Christmas shopping but the forecast average spend is still £50 more per person than it was before the pandemic, with some of that figure because of inflation, Barclays said. Amid the financial pressures, many people are planning to buy practical, perishable and essential items such as food and kitchenware. A total of 65% of shoppers are expecting to spend the majority of their sales budget online. Last year, Barclays found 63.9% of Boxing Day retail purchases were made online. However, a quarter of respondents aim to spend mostly in store – an 11% rise compared with last year. Karen Johnson, head of retail at Barclays, said: “Despite the ongoing cost-of-living pressures, it is encouraging to hear that consumers will be actively participating in the post-Christmas sales. “This year, we’re likely to see a shift towards practicality and sustainability, with more shoppers looking to bag bargains on kitchen appliances and second-hand goods.” Consumers choose in-store shopping largely because they enjoy the social aspect and touching items before they buy, Barclays said, adding that high streets and shopping centres are the most popular destinations.Apple’s Find My Friends (which is now integrated into the Find My app) lets you share your location in real time with other people. Soon, Instagram users will have access to a similar feature to share their location with friends and family right from the social network. Instagram will let users share their live location Meta announced on Monday some new features coming to Instagram direct messages, and location sharing support is one of them. The company said in a blog post that the feature aims to make it easier for people to arrange hangouts directly from their Instagram conversations. “Spend more time together, and less time coordinating,” the post reads. For privacy reasons, the location can only be shared individually by DMs or in a group chat. The feature is turned off by default and real-time location is only shared for one hour – after that, Instagram automatically ends sharing. The app will also display an indicator to show when the location is being shared. Of course, you should never share your location with people you don’t know. Unlike Apple’s Find My, there’s no option to always share your location with others on Instagram. Earlier this year, Meta confirmed that it was testing a feature similar to Snap Map to show the location of friends on a map. However, the feature has yet to be made available to users. In addition to location sharing, Instagram is also adding new sticker packs for DMs, as well as custom nicknames for people in group chats. The Instagram app for iPhone is available for free on the App Store . Make sure you have the latest version of the app installed on your device in order to get access to the latest features. Keep in mind that when it comes to the location sharing feature, Meta says it’s only available in “selected countries.” Read also Are your Instagram recommendations a mess? You can now start from scratch Threads testing option to let users choose which feed they want to see by default Meta testing Face ID-like video selfie to recover your Instagram or Facebook account Instagram might make your video look terrible if it’s not popular Threads app finally lets users watch videos in landscape Messenger adds Siri integration, AI video backgrounds, and yes, voicemail Meta announces expansion of its AI features to 21 additional countries A year later, Meta is yet to launch the promised WhatsApp for iPadSanchez added five rebounds for the Seahawks (6-4). Zae Blake scored 11 points, going 5 of 11 (1 for 4 from 3-point range). R.J. Greene shot 2 of 9 from the field and 2 for 4 from the free-throw line to finish with six points, while adding seven rebounds. The Highlanders (2-11) were led by Sebastian Robinson, who recorded 14 points and two steals. Tim Moore Jr. added 11 points, 10 rebounds and two steals for NJIT. Tariq Francis finished with six points. The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar .

Anti-fraud efforts meet real-world test during ACA enrollment period

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In August, the agency barred two of about a dozen private sector online-enrollment platforms from connecting with healthcare.gov over concerns related to improper switching.