The Lyricist and the Mufti: A Search for God in a Divided Age
NEW DELHI — In a quiet hall at the Constitution Club, just a stone’s throw from India’s Parliament, two men sat across from each other to argue a question as old as
China’s High-Speed Rail: Debt and Doubt Derail Ambition
China’s high-speed railway network, a sprawling 30,000-mile marvel, stands as a symbol of the country’s rapid modernization. Launched under Xi Jinping’s ambitious vision in 2013, it has grown into one of the
A Golden Jubilee of Friendship: Viet Nam and the Maldives Move forward to a New Path
By Her Excellency Trinh Thi Tam, Non-Resident Ambassador of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam to the Maldives As Viet Nam and the Maldives approach the 50th anniversary of our diplomatic relations, we
Two Tales of Public Outrage: How Pune and the Maldives Demand Justice
In the early hours of May 19, 2024, Pune, a bustling city in India, was rocked by a tragic accident that would reveal a complex web of privilege and deceit. A 17-year-old,
Elite Developer Gets Pass as Maldives Dredging Ban Sidelines Others
MALÉ, Maldives — A shallow lagoon near a premier luxury resort is being dredged into an ultra-exclusive Land of legends theme park, even as the island nation’s environmental watchdog has ordered a
Chinese Banks Grapple with Deposit Losses Amid Regulatory Changes
Beijing, – Chinese banks reported a significant loss of deposits totaling 3.92 trillion yuan (US$542 billion) in the month of April 2024. This stark decline follows regulatory directives aimed at curtailing the
Sanskrit Connections: The Shaviyani Sound Debate in Maldivian Language
MALE, — In the Maldives, a linguistic conundrum has ignited a flurry of debate and speculation. The heart of the matter is a singular sound, the Shaviyani (R+SH), which, despite being embedded
The Ripple Effects of China-Pakistan Developments in South Asia
Karachi, In response to rising security concerns, Chinese contractors have paused construction on the Dasu and Diamer Bhasha dam projects in Pakistan. This decision follows a tragic incident in March, where a suicide
Maldives Case Highlights Persistent Scourge of Human Trafficking Across South Asia
MALE’, – A foreign national was remanded by the Criminal Court after being arrested for allegedly locking up a Nepalese migrant worker inside a guest house in the capital city of Malé
Small Island, Big Betrayal: Maldives Shocks World by Opposing Srebrenica Genocide Resolution
Male’, Maldives – In a move that sparked widespread condemnation, the Maldives voted against a United Nations resolution commemorating the 1995 Srebrenica genocide and establishing July 11 as an annual day of
The Maldives’ Desperate Fight Against Rising Seas
For over three decades, the low-lying island nation of the Maldives has been leading the global conversation on the existential threat of climate change and rising sea levels. As one of the
Maldives: India’s RuPay in bid to navigate the shifting sands
Male’, – The Maldives made a larger overture to India by deciding to integrate India’s own digital payment system RuPay. This also comes amid the simultaneous recalibrating of relations between India and
Drownings Underscore Need for Tourist Caution During Ocean Activities
MALÉ, – A string of tragic drowning incidents involving tourists in the Maldives has highlighted the importance of personal responsibility and adherence to safety guidelines when engaging in ocean-based activities at this