Maldives News

Islamic ministry admits Rohingya fund yet to reach refugees

“Administrative matters” have been completed and the money will be sent over as soon as possible, the ministry said.

Parliament approves legal changes punishing lawmakers and judges

Schools to axe single use plastics by April

Single use plastics or disposable plastics are items like plastic bags, straws, coffee stirrers, plastic bottles and food packaging that are used once and thrown away.

Key witness retracts bribery allegation against Faris

The prosecution’s key witness in MP Faris Maumoon’s bribery trial told the court on Monday that he did not take or ask for any money to back the opposition’s bid to impeach the parliament speaker.

Islamic ministry unable to account for US$1m Rohingya fund

Islamic ministry officials are unable to confirm if MVR18 million (US$1 million) raised for Rohingya Muslims refugees was handed over to the Bangladesh Red Crescent, newspaper Mihaaru reported Monday.

February tax receipts jump by almost 20 percent

The revenue statistics for last month records a total revenue of MVR1.3 billion (US$82.96 million).

Government had secret talks with Nasheed

Discussions were kept confidential, as requested by former president Mohamed Nasheed, but the minister said the government was forced to go public after the opposition violated an agreement and began discrediting the administration.

Immigration denies holding back visas for Indians

Personnel officers in Maldivian companies said they have been waiting on business visas for Indian workers for almost two weeks, a process which normally takes up to three working days.

Gayoom accused of destroying evidence as lawyers allege ‘mental harm’

Maumoon Abdul Gayoom was questioned for the first time on Saturday, 33 days after his arrest.

Motorcyclist killed in Addu link road accident

A 29-year-old man died of injuries Saturday night after his motorcycle collided with a car on the Addu City link road.

Tourists told to steer clear of ‘emotional’ Maldivians

Tourists should respect physical boundaries as well as dress codes when visiting local islands to avoid provoking Maldivians, the defence minister said.

Winter is coming: controversial project to be finished before Ramadan

The frosty feature, boasting the Maldives first and only ice-rink, was absent when the revamped Rasrani Bageecha park opened to much fanfare last year.

Two teenagers stabbed

Two teenagers were stabbed in separate incidents in Malé over the weekend, both of whom escaped with minor injuries.

Police deny arrest of senior officers

Police have dismissed rumours on social media about the arrest of Commissioner Abdulla Nawaz and other high-ranking officers.

Gayoom refuses to cooperate with ‘illegal investigation’

Former president Maumoon Abdul Gayoom refused to cooperate with “an illegal investigation” when he was questioned for the first time after more than a month in police custody.

Tourism losses downplayed at home and abroad

The Tourism Ministry has yet to publish visitor numbers for February.

Man falls to his death in capital

Hospital officials said the 22-year-old was dead by the time he arrived at Indira Gandhi Memorial Hospital.

New rules restrict lawyer-client meetings

Lawyers must present a consent letter from the detainee’s family for police to arrange the meeting, which must be concluded within 30 minutes, according to a circular issued Saturday by the custodial department head.

Maldives opposition seeks UN-mediated talks

In an open letter Friday, the allied parties asked President Yameen to clear up the government’s stance on talks after reports that a mediation offer from Secretary-General António Guterresr was declined.

‘Unwarranted and unconstructive’: Maldives slams UK-led call to end state of emergency

President Abdulla Yameen invoked emergency powers and suspended basic rights “primarily because the bench of the Supreme Court was beyond any measure of constitutional accountability,” the Maldives permanent representative told the UN Human Rights Council.