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
Majlis Passes Bill Forcing Resorts to Exchange 40% of Foreign Earnings at Local Banks
The People’s Majlis today passed a high-stakes amendment to the Foreign Currency Act, legally obligating resorts and guesthouses to convert 40 percent of their monthly foreign currency earnings through local banks starting
Is MATI Trying to Sabotage President Muizzu’s Economic Reforms?
The Maldives Tourism Industry Association (MATI) is pushing back hard against President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu’s ambitious economic agenda, in what appears to be a direct attempt by resort tycoons to derail reforms
Long Overdue Step Against Money Laundering: Employers Mandated to Pay Foreign Workers via Bank Accounts
In a major move to curb human trafficking and black market financial flows, the Ministry of Homeland Security has amended the foreign employment regulations, making it mandatory for all employers to deposit
Indian National Arrested Over Velana Airport Security Breach
An Indian national has been arrested by police after attempting to breach security at Velana International Airport (VIA) using an unauthorized access card belonging to another foreign worker whose visa had already
China’s shopkeepers pull down shutters as inspection fears sweep across provinces
On some Chinese commercial streets, the most conspicuous sign of business activity has recently been its absence. Shutters have come down, restaurants have stopped serving customers, and small shops have remained closed
American Held in Male’ After Attempting to Enter Maldives with Arms
A 36-year-old American citizen is in police custody after security officers caught him trying to enter the Maldives with arms and ammunition at Velana International Airport. The suspect, identified as Coboll Britain
A Decade of the Tap: How India’s UPI Grew Into a $3.7 Trillion Global Engine
MALÉ — Walk into almost any corner shop along the bustling lanes of Malé these days, scan a QR code at the register, and your banking app will prompt you with an
Unlicensed Brokers Handled $77M as Government Targets Resort Dollars in Black Market Crackdown
Just seven unlicensed money changers illegally traded $77 million (MVR 1.18 billion) on the black market over nine months, Homeland Security Minister Ali Ihusaan revealed today, urging the public and businesses to
Resorts to Face Mandatory 40% FX Surrender Rule Under New Law
Foreign currency earners, including luxury resorts and guesthouses, will soon be legally required to surrender 40 per cent of their monthly foreign revenue to local banks, Maldives Monetary Authority (MMA) Governor Ahmed
Asphalt Paving on Malé–Villimalé Bridge Segment Set to Begin Next Month
Workers have installed the final superstructure segment connecting Malé to Villimalé on the Thilamalé Bridge project, bringing the flagship infrastructure development closer to its first major operational deadline. The project’s contractor, India-based