Maldives News

Bad weather wreaks havoc across Maldives

On Wednesday night, a tornado struck the southernmost atoll, damaging 12 homes in the Hithadhoo ward of Addu City. The roofs were blown off nine homes and two trees fell on the roofs of three houses when the tornado hit around 10:30 pm.

Ex-official accused of plotting to assassinate judge released to house arrest

Ibrahim Haneef was arrested on April 4 on terrorism charges for allegedly plotting to assassinate High Court Judge Shujau Usman. The criminal extended his remand detention four times before transferring him to house arrest on Tuesday.

Court hears closing arguments in MP Riyaz’s trial

The criminal court heard closing arguments Tuesday in Jumhooree Party MP Abdulla Riyaz’s trial on an obstruction charge raised over his refusal to unlock his mobile phone.

Fitch assigns stable outlook rating for Maldives

The B+ rating reflects strong economic growth and high government revenue from the tourism sector weighed against high debt and low foreign currency reserves.

Judge lifts conditions imposed on Gasim

The move comes after the police apologised for falsely claiming in court that a case against the opposition lawmaker had not been sent for prosecution.

Yameen lashes out at opposition after election loss

The ruling coalition should learn lessons from the loss in the May 6 local council elections, Yameen said, but contended that an “alternative narrative” could be told about the results.

Gasim’s lawyers accuse police of lying in court

Council elections turnout at 66 percent

Contrary to media reports and claims by ruling party lawmakers and ministers, the turnout in the capital was 42 percent and voters turned out in much higher numbers in the rest of the country.

Man stabbed in Malé

A 20-year-old man was stabbed Monday night near the Villimalé ferry terminal in the capital Malé. No arrests have been made so far.

Opposition candidate secures Kuribee council seat after recount

A recount of votes from a ballot box on the island of Kuribee in Haa Dhaal atoll has changed the result and averted a second round of voting between three candidates tied in third place.

Supreme court asked to restrict parliament’s powers to sack ministers

The Attorney General’s office has asked the supreme court to determine that the parliament can only dismiss cabinet ministers for committing an impeachable offence.

Finance ministry defends Ramadan bonus policy

The finance ministry has defended the government’s policy on issuing the annual Ramadan bonus for civil servants after media reports focused on the exclusion of employees on paid and non-paid leave.

Lawyer arrested for obstructing Yameen’s murder investigation

Ali Shah, a criminal defence attorney, has been arrested on charges of obstructing the investigation into the brutal murder of liberal blogger Yameen Rasheed.

Yameen murder suspects caught on camera in custody

The two men were caught on security camera footage “entering and exiting the scene of the crime after brutally stabbing Mr Yameen Rasheed,” the police said in a statement Monday.

Female candidates win majorities on four island councils

Female candidates won majorities on island councils for the first time in the Maldives’ third municipal elections on May 6.

Independent councillor-elect joins MDP

The Vaadhoo councillor-elect is the first of 101 independent candidates who won seats in the Maldives’ third local council elections to join a political party.

Faris Maumoon barred from travelling overseas

Faris was stopped at the Velana International Airport’s immigration checkpoint Sunday morning after he checked in to fly to Bangalore, India to visit a sick relative.

Human rights commissioner resigns

Shifaq Mufeed ‘Histo,’ the vice president of the Human Rights Commission of Maldives, resigned from his post on Thursday.

Powerhouse manager transferred after election loss

The assistant manager of the state-owned powerhouse on the southern island of Thimafarushi in Thaa atoll has been transferred after refusing to resign in the wake of the ruling party’s loss in the local council elections.

Tourist arrivals increase 4.3 percent in first quarter

Arrivals grew by 15.6 percent in January, the peak season for the industry which also coincided with the Chinese New Year. But the growth rate was marginal in February at 0.3 percent and registered a 2.1 percent decrease in March.