The Capitals: Muizzu’s grip deepens in Maldives; Manila scores strategic homerun with Brahmos

Last weekend, The Capitals reported in detail aboutTehran's retaliation for Damascus strike— when Tehran launched anunprecedented attack on Israel a week aftera senior Iranian military official and eight others were killed in a strike on Tehran's consulate in Damascus. Iran blamed Israel for the attack and reasoned last weekend's attack as retaliation for Israel's alleged attack in the embassy.

Also watch |Iran-Israel Tensions: Iran foreign minister plays down apparent Israeli strike

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During early hours of Friday, Iranian state media reported asmall number of explosions, which they said resulted from air defences hitting three drones over Isfahan in central Iran. They referred to the incident as an attack by "infiltrators", rather than by Israel, obviating the need for retaliation.

Read more in The Capitals this week:

Male, Maldives

Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu | Reuters

In a major boost to Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu's standing in the archipelago nation's corridors of power in Male, hisPeople's National Congress (PNC) won about two-thirds majority in the country's parliament. Previously,former President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih'sMaldivian Democratic Party (MDP) was in control of the parliament and Muizzu's ruling alliancedid not have a parliamentary majority.

Quito, Ecuador

Ecuadorans on Sunday (April 21) voted in a referendum on proposed tougher measures to fight gang-related crime. The once-peaceful South American country has been facingan unprecedented rise in violence that has seen two mayors being killed this week.

The streak of terrorism has been blamed on gangs with links to transnational cartels using its ports to ship drugs to the United States and Europe.

The results of the referendum "will define the course and the state policy that we will take in order to face the challenge of fighting against violence and organized crime," President Daniel Noboa said as voting began at the Electoral Council in Quito.

Manila, Philippines

Manila scored a strategic homerun amid growing tensions in the West Philippine Sea— which China has popularised as South China Sea— after Indiadelivered the first batch of BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles to Philippines earlier this week.

The delivery is part ofa $375-million deal between New Delhi and Manila for three batteries of shore-based, anti-ship variant of the BrahMos.

Philippines is acquiring the systems under the Horizon 2 of the Revised Armed Forces of the Philippines Modernization Programme.

Beijing, China

Chinese runner He Jie, Ethiopian Dejene Hailu Bikila and Kenyans Robert Keter and Willy Mnangat at the finish line of the Beijing Half Marathon on April 14, 2024 | Reuters

In a stunning show of crisis of sportspersonship, the top fourfinishers of the Beijing Half Marathon were stripped of their medals after an investigation found three African runners deliberately slowed down near the finish line to let a Chinese competitor win.

China’s He Jie crossed the finish line of last Sunday’s race in 1:03:44 to claim the gold medal and a $5,500 first prize, with the African trio just one second behind in joint-second place.

A video clip of the finish showed Kenya’s Willy Mnangat turning toward He and gesturing for him to move ahead as the four men run neck and neck.

Former 5km world record holder Robert Keter, also from Kenya, then appears to wave at He to overtake the pack while signalling for his compatriot and Ethiopia’s Dejene Hailu to hang back.