Maldives News

China tells India to calm down after Maldives trade deal

The Global Times said China remained the largest source of tourists for the Maldives and that there was no “political intrigue” to the Free Trade Agreement.

President Yameen to make first state visit to China

The trip takes place from December 6 until December 9 and is at the invitation of President Xi Jinping.

Damage to 60 islands after extreme weather

Heavy rainfall caused flooding on 36 islands, strong winds tore off roofs and felled trees on 18 islands, and high swells were reported from four islands, according to the National Disaster Management Centre.

Maldives downgraded to ‘fragile state’ by IMF

Drugs, deaths and tripping in the Maldives

The Maldives Independent is exploring the country’s party drug culture through interviews with users aged 16 to 25 and people who know them.

China-Maldives free trade deal rushed through parliament

The Maldives’ first bilateral free trade agreement – which commits both nations to reduce tariffs on most imported goods to zero – was rushed through hours after President Abdulla Yameen sought approval for ratification.

Two ex-PPM MPs face loss of seats

MPs Mohamed Abdulla and Hussain Shahudhy are facing the loss of seats following their expulsion from the ruling Progressive Party of Maldives.

Sri Lankan fishing boats seized

A ministry report published in October said hundreds of foreign fishing vessels were operating illegally in Maldivian seas every year.

Supreme Court rejects appeal from jailed Adhaalath Party leader

Five months after the appeal was filed, the Supreme Court’s registrar informed Sheikh Imran’s lawyers that there were no grounds to challenge the High Court’s decision to uphold the 12-year jail sentence.

World Bank sorry for presidential popularity questions

In a statement the global institution said survey staff had been posing questions “beyond the scope” of a data gathering exercise about how people save, borrow, make payments and manage risks in the Maldives.

Gasim defies travel ban to go to Germany

Maldives Correctional Service said Gasim could be declared a fugitive after his failure to return to the Maldives, but refused to reveal if he had been declared a fugitive.

‘Mosque cafe’ plans stall after backlash

The Male’ Friday Mosque, built in 1658, is on UNESCO’s Tentative World Heritage List and is described as “the most important heritage site of the country” and “one of the finest coral stone buildings in the world.”

Getting away with murder in the Maldives

Murder is not included on the police website’s crime statistics page, which has data going back to 2008.

Member sues media council over refusal to investigate Raajje TV protest

Assad Shareef, a member of the Maldives Media Council, sued the regulatory body for declining to investigate a silent protest staged by Raajje TV staff at this year’s journalism awards ceremony.

Yameen defends rising debt

President Abdulla Yameen hit back at opposition criticism over rising national debt, defending the loans taken by his four-year administration as necessary for development.

High Court overturns unfair dismissal ruling on protesting resort workers

The High Court overturned an Employment Tribunal unfair dismissal ruling over Sheraton’s Full Moon Resort sacking of three staff in 2014.

Parties face off in battleground of Thinadhoo

The island of Thinadhoo became a campaign battleground over the weekend as the senior leadership of the ruling party and opposition coalition descended on the southern population hub for rival rallies.

More than 100 social housing units put up for sale

The flats were put up for sale after its original recipients under a previous government’s social housing programme were unable to secure loans.

Maldivian Airlines issues non-apology for seaplane crash

Holidaymakers had sat through two aborted take-offs before being lobbed into the ocean on the third attempt, The Sun reported, and were left bobbing in the water after their seaplane crashed.

Ministries slapped with RTI requests to fact-check president

Yameen rattled off figures and challenged “political leaders who say they do not see development” at the November 18 rally marking the four-year anniversary of his government and the Maldives Independent is seeking to fact-check his claims.