Maldives News

European tourist market ‘unaffected’ by Maldives crisis

There have been protests in the capital and local islands, with riot police using pepper spray and force to disperse crowds, and the tourism sector has reported cancellations.

More than 50 security officers in detention, says Nasheed

There have been several media reports about security force personnel in custody although the police have only confirmed that two of its officers have been detained.

We are doing fine, Maldives tells UN, focus on Palestine and Syria

The United Nations Human Rights Council heard that President Abdulla Yameen had to declare a state of emergency because a “conspiracy – financed to the tune of millions of dollars – was set in motion” on February 1.

Elderly woman dies after hospital power cut

The 75-year old woman was in the ICU at Hithadhoo Regional Hospital when a relative discovered the ventilator no longer had electricity late Monday night and alerted the hospital staff.

New US $110m hospital set to open

Tens of thousands of Maldivians go abroad each year to seek medical treatment unavailable in the country. A 2014 survey conducted by the central bank found that 57 percent of Maldivians travelled overseas for medical purposes.

Construction begins on Maldives’ US$24m King Salman Mosque

Housing Minister Mohamed Muizzu said work has begun on erecting pillars for the six-storey mosque, which is expected to be completed by August.

Maldives hires US Trump-tied lobbying firm

The state-owned Maldivian tourism promotion company hired a top-earning US lobbying firm amid growing international condemnation of a continuing state of emergency.

Parliament’s approval of state of emergency constitutional, Supreme Court rules

The Supreme Court has legitimised parliament’s approval of President Abdulla Yameen’s state of emergency with less than half of lawmakers present last Tuesday.

Pepper spray coma victim wakes up

Abdullah Saleem remains hospitalised despite showing signs of recovery.

Imam questioned over refusal to deliver ‘politicised’ sermon

An island Imam questioned over his refusal to read a controversial Friday sermon has accused the Islamic ministry of using religion for politics.

Army bars media from parliament meetings

Soldiers blocked the entrance to the parliament building, saying there had been no written notification allowing journalists access.

Maldives threatened with ‘targeted measures’

PPM MP aggrieved over stalled airport project

MP Abdulla Khaleel has fallen out with the government over failure to deliver on an airport pledge, VFP reports, citing a source close to the MP for Faafu Nilandhoo.

Parliament resumes with speedy five-minute sitting

Parliament resumed regular business Monday morning with only pro-government lawmakers in attendance for a sitting that lasted less than five minutes.

Weekend arrests: a round-up of round-ups

The protests have been ongoing since February 1 and gained momentum after a controversial parliamentary vote to extend a state of emergency, with crowds calling for the arrest and resignation of President Abdulla Yameen.

Maldives presidential elections first round to be held early September

The Elections Commission expected a first round to be held in early September and a second round, should it be necessary, would be held within 21 days from election day.

Maldives president DID refuse UN help

A video shows UN spokesman Stéphane Dujarric talking to reporters about exchanges between the United Nations and Malé.

Lawyers revolt as prosecutor general comes under pressure

More than 30 lawyers at the prosecutor general’s office backed Aishath Bisham for saying parliament’s vote on the state of emergency was unconstitutional.

Tourism bodies beg for Maldives state of emergency to stop

Operators say hundreds of hotel bookings have been cancelled daily since February 5, when a 15-day state of emergency was declared, despite government assurances that all is normal in the resort islands.

Short and snappy: President gives 18-minute speech to parliament

The president’s speech clocked in at just 18 minutes. Last year’s speech lasted one hour and 13 minutes.