How mega projects are reshaping our planet Around the world, governments and private investors are launching huge infrastructure projects that aim to reshape how we live, travel, and work. These projects aren’t just big in size—they come with huge budgets, cutting-edge technology, and long-term ambitions for sustainability, economic growth, and global collaboration. In this updated list, we bring together insights from several sources to highlight the top 10 biggest inf

Bringing visibility and accountability to cloud spending Managing cloud costs effectively is becoming more important as organisations grow their use of the cloud. FinOps—a framework for aligning engineering, finance and business teams—helps build shared responsibility and improve financial decision-making. This article explores how Google Cloud (GCP) supports FinOps goals through tools such as FinOps Hub 2.0, Gemini Cloud Assist, and Google’s built-in billing and optimi

Understanding AWS’s approach to cloud cost management As cloud environments grow in complexity, organisations are seeking new ways to gain visibility into costs and improve financial accountability. One approach gaining traction is FinOps—a framework for managing cloud spending that brings together engineering, finance and operations. This article explores how AWS tools and services can support a FinOps strategy. It outlines what AWS currently offers, from cost tracking

How tagging makes FinOps possible Tagging cloud resources might sound simple, but it plays a major role in controlling costs, improving visibility, and building a strong FinOps culture. Whether you’re a government agency, a non-profit, or a large enterprise, tagging is essential to understanding who’s using what—and why. In this article, we explain why tagging and labelling are critical in FinOps, how they help teams across finance and IT work together, and what best pr

Why culture matters for FinOps success FinOps is more than just a financial tool—it’s a culture shift. As governments and public agencies shift more services to the cloud, it becomes vital to manage costs in a smart and transparent way. This is where FinOps (short for Financial Operations) comes in. It helps teams across finance, IT, procurement and leadership work together to make better decisions with cloud spending. But FinOps only works well if the right organisationa

Why Brisbane deserves your attention When people think of global tech hotspots, they might first picture Silicon Valley, Singapore, or Tel Aviv. But increasingly, eyes are turning to Brisbane. With momentum building across startups, advanced manufacturing, and quantum computing, Queensland’s capital is quietly—but rapidly—shaping up as a serious contender in the next wave of global technology development. The city is riding a wave of post-pandemic growth, capitalising o

Digital payment systems are undergoing a profound transformation. The past decade has seen the gradual shift from cash to card, then from card to mobile, and now to something far broader — a fully integrated digital financial ecosystem. What began as a convenience has become an expectation, and as technology continues to evolve rapidly, the lines between payments, identity, mobility, data, and commerce are blurring. The convergence of mobile, artificial intelligence (AI), ope

Is mobility is on the cusp of a sustainable aviation transformation? For decades, aviation has largely been the domain of airports, long-haul routes, and tightly controlled airspaces. Now, with the emergence of electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, a new chapter is beginning—one that reimagines how people and goods move through the skies above cities and regions. While still in the development phase, eVTOLs are being seen as a promising solution to cong

A new wave of Gulf support for Egypt Egypt’s economy has long relied on international support during times of stress. But in 2024 and 2025, the scale and form of that support shifted dramatically. Gulf states—especially the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Saudi Arabia—have stepped forward not just with loans or aid, but with large, strategic investments. This new approach blends economic opportunity with geopolitical influence. It comes as Egypt faces one of its most ser

Thailand’s economic trajectory, once buoyed by strong regional linkages and a thriving tourism sector, is increasingly being shaped by the evolving situation in China. In the past decade, China has emerged not only as Thailand’s largest trading partner but also as a primary source of investment, tourism, and even migrant labour. However, with China now facing significant economic headwinds—including a real estate crisis, weakening consumer confidence, and tightening capital c

Thailand, long viewed as a stable economic performer in Southeast Asia, is now confronting a murkier and more uncertain future. While short-term indicators may sometimes hint at resilience, the broader outlook for the country's economy in the medium to long term is far less encouraging. From persistent structural weaknesses to escalating global trade tensions, multiple pressures are converging to create an increasingly complex economic environment for Thailand. This article

Film and television have the unique ability to bring places to life, shaping the way audiences around the world see destinations. Locations featured in popular films can become tourism hotspots overnight. More than just a temporary surge, these sites often experience long-term benefits that extend to branding, marketing, employment, and infrastructure. From sweeping landscapes captured on screen to quaint towns turned famous by a single scene, film tourism can be a powerf

Navigating a trade war requires a careful strategy In today’s volatile global trade environment, managing tariffs is not just a cost-control exercise—it’s a strategic imperative. A structured, forward-looking approach can help businesses turn compliance challenges into opportunities for competitive advantage. The following ten approaches could provide a practical roadmap for navigating and mitigating tariff risks.

Nepal finds itself at a crossroads—struggling to move forward while weighed down by economic fragility, political instability, and deep-rooted corruption. What might appear on the surface as a nation hampered by suspended foreign aid and slow infrastructure progress is in fact a complex crisis touching every corner of public life. While the dream of progress endures, the harsh reality for many Nepalis—particularly in remote areas—is that their hopes are being pushed further o

Bali’s tourism model is no longer sustainable. That’s why Indonesia needs to consider a radical but pragmatic solution: developing a new tourism hub—Bali 2.0—from the ground up.

For any government genuinely aiming to improve financial sustainability, a commitment to responsible financial management must go well beyond Parliament and Cabinet. It must be firmly embedded in the day-to-day choices made by civil servants, programme leads, procurement professionals, and senior executives at every tier of government. Yet, in many departments, agencies, and working-level teams, this culture is noticeably absent. The question is how to create such a culture?

As China faces mounting economic, social, environmental, and geopolitical challenges, an old conversation reemerging—both domestically and abroad—about whether a more open and participatory political model might better equip the country to respond. Could a gradual, phased evolution towards a form of “democracy with Chinese characteristics” help China mitigate some of its most pressing systemic risks? This article explores how democratic tools like transparency, accountabi

What is really behind the tariffs launched by the US administration in 2025? Is it really as simple as seeking 'fairness' or 'generating revenue'? There are likely a wide range of reasons for the tariffs depending on the trading country and what the US believes is in its interests. This is very likely just the opening salvo in what will be a dynamic period of changing trading relationships.

A new kind of travel trend emerges In recent years, a fresh and unusual type of tourism has started gaining attention around the world. It's called doomsday tourism. This article focuses on one form of doomsday tourism: the type based on exploring safe zones, survival bunkers, and historical shelters linked to global conflict and the fear of nuclear war. It is important to not confuse this trend with other uses of the same term. Doomsday tourism is sometimes used to des

Stephen Miran’s A User’s Guide to Re-Structuring the Global Trading System presents a pathway for major shifts that could reshape how global