Contrary to the Taliban’s previous assurances on banning poppy cultivation, the group this year seems to be actively encouraging opium production
AI, Energy, Health, and Integrity: South Asia’s New Frontline Against Procurement Corruption
South Asia’s future depends on reliable infrastructure and trustworthy public services. Artificial intelligence—especially advanced technologies such as Graph Attention Networks—offers governments a powerful tool to reduce corruption in procurement, improve healthcare delivery, strengthen energy security and enhance public trust.
Technology and War: Shaping Future Wars, Battles, and Conflicts
The battlefield is no longer defined by geography alone. It extends into space, into networks, into supply chains, and into the human mind. Conflict today is as much about disruption as it is about destruction; as much about perception as it is about position. Lines are blurred, between soldier and system, between civilian and combatant, between war and peace.
From Crisis Management to Crisis Prevention: South Asian Research Collective Working on AI-Driven Solutions
Together, the team conducts collaborative research and policy development initiatives across four South Asian countries - Sri Lanka, India, Nepal and Bangladesh. Their work aims to strengthen national preparedness, improve crisis response systems, and support governments in building resilient, technology-enabled public safety infrastructure. Together, these researchers represent a growing national capability in applying Artificial Intelligence to real-world challenges.
AI and Children: Proper Teaching of AI in Schools a Must to Fire Creativity
Recent evidence also suggests that AI chatbots are being used by teens to plan violence and other harmful activities. Like all technologies, AI is a double-edged sword. It can either be used for very creative work or destructive activities. Thus, there is a tremendous responsibility for teachers to teach the children and youngsters about the positive aspects of AI.
More on AI and Innovation
Sri Lanka staring at an energy disaster; no money for fuel imports
Sri Lankan energy crisis, primarily caused by the severe foreign exchange shortage, has reached a dangerous level this week as the country struggles to manage multiple interlinked crises, forcing authorities to ration both electricity and fuel
Ukraine war to significantly impact tourism, says Maldives tourism minister; pins hopes on China to offset potential loss
The ongoing war in Ukraine will significantly impact the tourism industry, said Maldives’ Tourism Minister Abdullah Mausoom, as tourists from Russia and Ukraine, the two countries at war now, comprise almost 20 percent of the country’s total tourists
Crisis-gripped Sri Lanka to hold talks with IMF and World Bank for assistance
Sri Lankan officials are expected to hold talks with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank for support as Colombo faces a severe economic crisis, including a shortage of fuel and essentials
Bangladesh to get $300 million from the World Bank to strengthen local governance
The World Bank has approved a proposal to provide $300 million to Bangladesh to help strengthen its local governance against the pandemic shock and make them resilient to future shocks
Iran to Afghanistan's rescue? Has assured help to rebuild Afghan economy, claims Taliban
Iran has assured its assistance to help rebuild the Afghan economy, the Taliban’s Foreign Affairs Ministry said
Nepal, India discuss energy and power trade cooperation
Nepal and India on Thursday discussed enhancing bilateral energy cooperation, development of energy resources, and power trade among other related issues during the meeting of the Joint Steering Committee in Kathmandu
Bill Gates praises Indian vaccine makers for supplying affordable Covid vaccines to the world
Billionaire philanthropist and Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates has praised India for its vaccine-manufacturing prowess and applauded the efforts of the country's manufacturers for supplying affordable vaccines across the world
Maldives welcomes Air India flight with a water cannon salute marking 46 years of air service
Tourism-dependent Maldives welcomed Air India flight AI-267 with a water cannon salute at Male airport on Monday, commemorating 46 years of air service between the two countries
Maldives to get Reliance Jio’s Multi Terabit India-Asia-Xpress undersea cable system; vision to make it South Asia's communications hub
Reliance Jio Infocomm, India's largest mobile operator, will land the multi-terabit India-Asia-Xpress (IAX) undersea cable system in the Maldives’ Hulhumale, a reclaimed island south of North Male, the company confirmed in a statement on Monday
India, US in talks to boost economic ties beyond FTA
India and the US are in dialogue to look at ways beyond a free trade agreement to promote economic ties by providing better market access and enhanced engagement on investments, India's Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal said on Sunday
No cash, severe fuel shortage inevitable, says Sri Lankan energy minister
Sri Lanka's state-owned petroleum company has run out of cash, the country’s Energy Minister Udaya Gammanpila said, warning a severe fuel shortage is inevitable if tariffs aren’t increased or the government doesn’t provide another bailout
Sri Lanka’s energy crisis threatens revival of its prized tourism industry
What began as a forex crisis, primarily because of the collapse of the tourism industry, blew up into an energy crisis, and now seems to jeopardise the revival of the same tourism industry.
Hit by MCC row, time running out for Nepal’s energy-export ambitions
Despite being a net energy surplus country, Nepal still imports electricity from India to supply to some regions which remain off the national grid
Growing Bangladesh-India trade and economic ties creating new opportunities in both countries
Bangladesh’s holistic development is viewed positively by New Delhi, with new opportunities arising along India’s northeastern region
