Introduces techniques for evaluating alternatives in decision making with a focus on quantitative risk analysis in construction projects. Covers probabilistic cost estimating, contingency analysis, cause-effect diagrams, FAST diagrams, decision trees, and tools like payoff matrices, Bayes’ theorem, matrix analysis, and analytical hierarchy process. Provides methods for risk mitigation through a risk analysis card game, performance monitoring, and inventory management. Aimed at graduate and upper-level undergraduate students, with practical applications for business and construction managers.

The UK and India are strengthening their trade and climate change collaboration, with significant discussions and agreements aimed at reducing emissions and boosting green investments. Key figures like Alok Sharma, Rishi Sunak, and Narendra Modi are actively involved in these initiatives. The UK aims to leverage its position as a global financial hub to support green finance and innovation in India, aligning with broader climate goals under international agreements like the Paris Agreement.

The article discusses the optimal growth rate for India's economy, arguing against both rapid and very slow growth. It highlights the negative consequences of high growth, such as inflation and social instability, using China as an example. Conversely, it points out the drawbacks of slow growth, including unemployment and social unrest. The author advocates for a steady growth rate of 5-6.5%, emphasizing the importance of balanced and sustainable development over egoistic nationalism.

Sumeru Digital and the Art of Living Foundation have launched FriendNFT, a revolutionary NFT platform, at the World Culture Festival 2023 in Washington, DC. The platform, built on the Polygon chain, aims to transform NFTs into tokens of emotional and social significance. The event, led by spiritual leader Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, celebrates global cultural unity. Sumeru Digital also introduced the FriendNFT App, designed to foster personal growth through social engagement. The initiative marks a significant convergence of technology, spirituality, and personal development.

India, with its large and young English-speaking population, has the potential to become a global talent hub. To realize this, the country needs to update its curricula to be more practical and industry-focused. The National Education Policy of 2020 is seen as a transformative step for higher education, aiming to make India a global study destination. The introduction of 'professor of practice' roles by the University Grants Commission and the emphasis on digital competency are significant developments. Closer engagement with industry and alumni networks is also crucial. With India being the third-largest start-up ecosystem, institutions like IIT Madras Incubation Cell are pivotal in fostering entrepreneurship among the youth.

Uncorrected refractive errors in children significantly impact their educational and psychosocial development. Despite the availability of corrective measures like spectacles, many children in India remain untreated due to lack of awareness, affordability, and cultural barriers. School-based vision screening, as part of the National Programme for Control of Blindness, is a cost-effective method but has limited coverage. A successful pilot program by DANIDA demonstrated the effectiveness of training teachers to screen for vision problems, suggesting a scalable solution. Collaborative efforts from health and education sectors are essential to address this issue and prevent the loss of potential in millions of children.

Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC) is an underutilized technology capable of providing continuous electricity and automobile fuel without toxic emissions or land use. First demonstrated in Hawaii in 1979, OTEC's potential remains largely untapped due to the significant investments required. The technology operates offshore, using ammonia in a closed-cycle engine to generate power. Hawaii's tropical location is ideal for OTEC, which could also produce hydrogen for fueling cars. The initial cost is estimated at one billion dollars for 200 megawatts, with significant cost reductions for additional capacity. OTEC offers Hawaii a chance to reduce electricity costs and reliance on oil amidst economic and political instability.

The UK-India trade relationship, valued at £25.5bn in 2019, is poised to grow with a proposed partnership aiming to double trade value by 2030. Scotch whisky, a significant UK export, faces high tariffs and taxes in India, but remains popular among India's growing middle class. The article advocates for reducing trade barriers to enhance economic benefits for both nations, highlighting the importance of Scotch whisky in the trade deal. The geographical indication status of Scotch whisky in India is also noted as a critical achievement. The text underscores the potential of the UK-India trade deal in the post-Brexit era.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is managing a severe COVID-19 crisis, while the UK, led by Boris Johnson, continues to pursue strong trade ties with India. The Enhanced Trade Partnership (ETP) aims to bolster UK-India trade, which was worth £25.5bn in 2019, and reduce reliance on China. The UK is also focusing on the Indo-Pacific region, strengthening relations with India, Japan, and Australia, and seeking membership in the CPTPP and ASEAN. The ETP is expected to create jobs, enhance market access, and address shared challenges like climate change.

The article analyzes Pakistan's military strategies and their failures in conflicts with India, highlighting key historical events such as the 1947-48 Kashmir war, the 1965 war, the 1971 war, and the Kargil conflict. It discusses the influence of external powers like the US and China, the evolution of Pakistan's military tactics from offensive to defensive, and the role of religious ideology in shaping military behavior. The author criticizes the Pakistan Army's strategic miscalculations and the resulting humiliations, suggesting that these have led to a reliance on unconventional warfare and terrorism.

The article explores the historical and geopolitical factors that have made the Pakistan Army a significant threat to democracy in Pakistan. It traces the origins of Pakistan's military dominance back to the Cold War era, highlighting the strategic interests of the US and the British in creating a buffer state against the USSR. The partition of the British Indian Army and the resulting ethnic imbalances further entrenched military power in Pakistan. The article also discusses the symbiotic relationship between the military and the feudal class, the rise of religious nationalism, and the army's involvement in terrorism. The author argues that these factors have collectively undermined democratic institutions and led to repeated military coups in Pakistan.

The article critiques the Pakistan Army's influence over national sentiment and politics, highlighting its historical and ongoing manipulation of anti-India sentiment to justify its power and size. It discusses the army's role in shaping Pakistan's political landscape through coups and its strategic alliances with the US and China. The narrative explores the emotional and ideological factors driving Pakistan's military strategies, including a revisionist approach to history and a focus on grand strategy. The article also examines the impact of these dynamics on Pakistan's social development and regional relations, particularly with India and Afghanistan.

Oahu faces significant waste management challenges, generating 800,000 tons of nonrecyclable waste annually. Current solutions, including the Waimanalo Gulch Landfill and the Honolulu Program of Waste Energy Recovery, are insufficient. Plasma arc gasification (PAG) is proposed as a more effective and environmentally friendly alternative, capable of reducing landfill use, lowering emissions, and generating additional clean energy. An economic study by the University of Hawaii supports the feasibility of PAG, suggesting it could eliminate the need for new landfills and generate substantial profits. The article advocates for adopting PAG technology to improve waste management and sustainability on Oahu.

The article explains Domain Authority (DA), a metric developed by Moz that predicts a website's ability to rank in Google's search results. It ranges from 1 to 100 and is influenced by factors such as backlinks, domain age, and website popularity. The article emphasizes that DA alone is not sufficient for high search rankings, as Google evaluates individual page authority and content quality. It provides practical methods to increase DA, including creating high-quality content, obtaining backlinks, ensuring mobile-friendly website design, internal linking, increasing social signals, and disavowing bad links. The article concludes by stating that while DA is important, other factors must also be considered for improving a website's ranking in Google.

Hawaii's state government is criticized for repeating an environmentally damaging process to restore Waikiki Beach by dredging the ocean, which previously caused ecological harm and produced an unsatisfactory result. The author advocates for the use of geotextile tubes, a technology proven in the Yucatan Peninsula, which is cheaper, lasts longer, and causes less environmental damage. Despite the clear benefits, the author suggests that local vested interests and resistance to change hinder the adoption of this superior method.

The article defends the historical claims of the Dalit community regarding the Ravidas temple in Tuglaqabad, asserting that these claims have strong historical foundations. It critiques the Brahmanical perspective and highlights the significant roles of various anti-caste movements and figures such as Ravidas, Kabir, and Nanak. The article also discusses the influence of the Sadh Satnamis, Sikh Banda Singh Bahadur’s army, and the Khalsa, emphasizing their contributions to social and religious history in India. The author argues that the tradition and hagiographical tales of Ravidas have a solid historical basis and critiques the legalistic approach to history that dismisses these claims.

Motorists in Hawaii frequently display road rage, bringing frustrations from various aspects of their lives onto the road. Road rage can lead to accidents, physical harm, and traffic disruptions. The article suggests that drivers should undergo mental fitness tests and defensive driving courses before receiving a license. It highlights the prevalence of road rage incidents in the USA and Britain, emphasizing the need for legislation to address aggressive driving behaviors and promote driving courtesy and civil behavior.

The article criticizes the Thirty Meter Telescope (TMT) project on Mauna Kea, highlighting the cultural and religious significance of the site to Native Hawaiians. It condemns the state and business interests for disregarding these beliefs and suggests that the TMT should be relocated to the Canary Islands. The author argues that the $1.4 billion project funds could be better spent on sustainable energy solutions like ocean thermal energy conversion and plasma arc gasification. The article also discusses the legal battles and protests against the TMT, portraying the state's actions as colonial oppression and a lack of empathy.

The article emphasizes the importance of aggressive preparation for future hurricanes in Hawaii, highlighting the need for structural reinforcements, improved flood defenses, and proactive measures to mitigate potential catastrophic damage. It praises the federal and state response to Hurricane Lane but argues that more preventative actions are necessary to avoid severe consequences from future storms.

An analysis suggests that converting Honolulu's rail system to maglev technology could be completed for under $6 billion, avoiding the need for further tax extensions. The article criticizes current contractors and political decisions, suggesting mismanagement and corruption have inflated costs. It advocates for the adoption of maglev, a technology invented in America but more widely used in Asia, and calls for a separate investigation into how rail contracts were awarded.

2017 marks the UK-India Year of Culture and the 70th anniversary of Indian independence, coinciding with Brexit, which presents an opportunity for the UK and India to enhance their special relationship. India's economic shift and the UK's position as a FinTech leader suggest potential for collaboration, especially in India's finance sector transformation. The UK delegation's visit to India, including key financial figures, indicates a mutual interest in deepening cooperation. The Indian Awards have been launched to celebrate UK-India business relations, with a gala dinner scheduled in the Houses of Parliament on June 22.

The article argues that uncontrolled immigration from war-torn and anti-U.S. countries poses a significant risk to national security, including the potential for terrorist attacks. It criticizes liberal attitudes towards immigration, suggesting that they enable enemies of the U.S. to infiltrate and create societal turmoil. The author urges Americans, particularly in Hawaii, to prioritize security and safety over political revenge against the Republican president.

The article argues that the elimination of Pakistan would lead to a more peaceful world, emphasizing that Pakistan, through its ISI, is a major sponsor of terrorism. It suggests that the USA should support India instead of Pakistan to combat terrorism effectively. The text criticizes the USA's current strategy and highlights the deep connections between ISI, ISIS, and the Taliban, portraying Pakistan as a significant threat to global peace.