Culture

Maldives accused of intimidating, silencing media

Transparency Maldives has condemned the government for proposing a bill that would merge two existing media watchdogs and “expand its sphere of state control on print and social media as well”.

Workplace sexual harassment in the Maldives: the struggle for justice

A social media campaign is aiming to reverse the culture of protecting perpetrators at work and blaming the victims, much like #Nufoshey (Don’t Harass) is a platform for highlighting the menace of street sex pests.

Chinese tourist drowns in Paradise Resort pool

A Chinese tourist died in a drowning accident in the pool of the Paradise Island Resort near the capital Malé.

Judge hears record 153 cases in one day

Civil Court Judge Mohamed Haleem scheduled a record 160 cases Thursday, heard 153 cases and delivered judgments in 66 cases.

Tribunal upholds dismissal of airport staff over Facebook post

Ismail Sivaan, a driver at the Maldives Airports Company Ltd, was sacked in May for sharing a prayer on Facebook for the end of President Abdulla Yameen’s administration.

Hajj and Umrah visas for Saudi Airline travellers only

The embassy informed travel agencies Wednesday that visas would only be issued for Saudi Airline passengers.

FDA warning after Hep A berry scare

The FDA said Creative Gourmet’s 300 gram frozen berries packet was recalled by food safety authorities in Australia and New Zealand as they were possibly contaminated with Hepatitis A.

Irish tourist drowns in Maldives

Maldives police said the Irishman was 30-years-old, but refused to reveal further details. Irish media named him as Andrew Roddy and said that he was on honeymoon.

Pork and booze pile destroyed

The sale of alcohol and pork is prohibited by law in inhabited islands as the consumption of alcohol and pork is forbidden in Islam. However, both liquor and pork are imported to the Maldives for tourist resorts.

Maldivian model committed suicide, conclude Bangladesh police

In a report submitted Tuesday to the Rajshahi metropolitan court, the criminal investigation department dismissed allegations of murder from Raudha Athif’s father as based on “factual errors.”

Government creating ‘youth slums’ in Maldives, says ex-minister

The government is “creating youth slums” with new flats in Hulhumalé aimed at married couples, a former housing minister tells the Maldives Independent.

RaajjeGate: Fines, fundraising and lawsuits

The fines, and efforts to pay them off, have had a visible impact on Raajje TV’s ability to continue with its news reporting.

RaajjeGate: A Timeline

The Maldives Broadcasting Commission has punished opposition-aligned RaajjeTV several times under the defamation law, increasing tensions between journalists and the government-backed regulator.

Islamic ministry distributes zakat as registered number of poor rises

There has been an increase in the registered number of poor people in the Maldives, as the Islamic Ministry Sunday begins distributing zakat at a rate of 900 MVR (US$59) per person.

78-year-old in government care after viral Facebook post

A 78-year-old with special needs is under government care after a Facebook post seeking a guardian for him goes viral.

Maldives offers first medical degree in 2018

The Maldives National University will offer medical degree courses for the first time in 2018 with assistance from the Pakistani government, Health Minister Abdulla Nazim has pledged.

Thousand flats pledged for civil servants

Housing ministry spokesman Ahmed Fazal said the flats would be reserved for those working in the greater Malé region. There are around 24,000 civil servants in the Maldives with the majority working in the capital.

Probe into seaplane crash

A Maldivian Seaplane aircraft, operated by state-owned Island Aviation Services, crashed while attempting to land at the airport lagoon on Thursday afternoon due to a sudden gust of wind.

Maldives’ anti-black magic legal measures need ‘streamlining’

Sorcery-related arrests have been common in recent years, but suspects are often released soon after without charge due to the complexity of legal action. The current penal code does not have a specific provision for black magic and sorcery.

Maldives ministry stats show rising child sexual abuse