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
Navigating Digital Payment Hurdles in the Maldives
In this part of South Asia the process of paying for goods and services can feel like a jarring step back in time. There are no swift scans of QR codes or
President Establishes National Cyber Security Agency
President Dr. Mohammed Muizzu has created a new government agency focused on cyber security, President’s Office announced yesterday. Under Article 116 of the Constitution, which grants the President authority over executive agencies,
Gripping New Thriller Sounds Alarm on AI Threat
In a review in The Telegraph, the political thriller “2054” by Elliot Ackerman and James Stavridis is described as envisioning a future world reshaped by the development of artificial superintelligence, known as
Vladimir Putin Secures Overwhelming Re-Election Victory in Russia
Russian President Vladimir Putin secured a resounding victory in his re-election bid, clinching over 80% of the votes and extending his tenure for another six years in the country’s recent three-day presidential
Maldives Tourism Booms: Record-Breaking Revenue Fuels Economic Surge
In the bustling heart of the Indian Ocean, a surge in visitors has reshaped the Maldives, turning its picturesque coral atolls into an exclusive haven coveted by Russia’s ultrawealthy. Despite lacking diplomatic
The Technocrat Taking Over in Singapore
After a four-year vetting process reminiscent of the Byzantine imperial system for selecting competent leaders, Singapore has elevated Lawrence Wong, an American-educated economist, to become the city-state’s next prime minister. Mr. Wong,
Global Democracy in Crisis: The Rise of Authoritarianism
A recent survey conducted by the Washington-based Pew Research Center (PRC) has illuminated concerning trends regarding global democracy. The study, spanning 24 countries and encompassing 30,861 respondents, reveals a sobering decline in
Business in Male’ Tests Entrepreneurs’ Resolve
For the partners of Alholul Pvt Ltd, launching a Spa Ceylon franchise in this island nation’s capital was supposed to be a path to entrepreneurial success. But it turned into an ordeal
China’s Military Ambitions Fuel Regional Arms Race
China’s move to sharply increase military spending and abandon its longstanding commitment to the “peaceful unification” of Taiwan has set off alarms across the Asia-Pacific, propelling neighboring countries to pour more money
Zardari forgoes presidential salary, signaling austerity push in Pakistan’s economic turmoil
Pakistan’s newly installed President, Asif Ali Zardari, made a striking declaration on March 13th, foregoing his presidential salary in a symbolic move to alleviate the economic strains gripping the nation. Zardari’s decision,