Maldives News

No intention of buying land in Maldives, asserts Saudi embassy

The Saudi Arabian government has no intention of investing in a mega project or buying an island or atoll in the Maldives, the Saudi embassy has asserted, dismissing the “widely circulated baseless and unfounded allegations”.

Hilton ordered to pay US$16m to MP Siyam’s Sun Travels

The judgment comes in spite of a Singaporean arbitration tribunal awarding US$26 million in damages to Hilton for Sun Travel’s abrupt termination of the Irufushi management agreement in May 2013.

Maldives celebrates International Women’s Day

As the government marked the day with special activities at offices and the handing out of annual awards for women, the main opposition Maldivian Democratic Party pledged financial support to 44 female candidates contesting in the upcoming local council elections.

Gayoom forced to leave without military bodyguards

The former president’s military bodyguards were prevented from accompanying him on a private visit to India, delaying his flight by an hour after the security personnel were forced to remove their luggage.

Government denies ‘selling off’ atoll to Saudi Arabia

The categorical denial comes after Climate Home reported former President Mohamed Nasheed and foreign policy experts raising the prospect of Saudi Arabia seeking a strategic anchor in the Maldives to secure an oil route to China.

Opposition announces protest against Faafu deal as police crackdown intensifies

After warning that “legal action” will be taken against “demeaning” activities during upcoming official visits, the police have raided the MDP’s meeting hall twice, painted over graffiti on Shaviyani Bileyfahi, and warned against putting up banners against the Faafu deal at the MDP’s campaign launch rally on Haa Alif Dhidhoo.

No-confidence motion filed to remove Speaker Maseeh

Opposition lawmakers have submitted a no-confidence motion to remove Speaker Abdulla Maseeh Mohamed, posing the first credible challenge to President Abdulla Yameen’s previously unassailable majority in parliament.

Reaching beyond the glass ceiling

On International Women’s Day, UN resident coordinator Shoko Noda offers a personal insight into issues of gender equality she has faced over the course of her personal and professional life.

Foreign journalists invited by government held up at airport

Three foreign journalists who arrived last Tuesday on an invitation from the government were threatened with deportation for seeking to enter the country without undergoing a mandatory vetting process.

Hefty fines imposed on Raajje TV in first anti-defamation punitive action

The broadcasting regulator has slapped an MVR200,000 (US$13,000) fine on the opposition-aligned Raajje TV and an MVR50,000 (US$3,200) fine on a journalist in the first punitive action taken under the controversial 2016 defamation law.

Malaysian company awarded US$57.5m project to build five airports

Developing an airport on the northern island of Kulhudhufushi is a campaign pledge of President Abdulla Yameen. But environmentalists have previously warned that it would destroy the island’s environmentally sensitive wetland area.

Saudi Airlines to double flights to Maldives

Saudi Arabia is also funding a grand mosque in Malé that can accommodate 6,000 worshippers. Last week, the housing ministry awarded the US$24 million project to Turkish company Alke-Turmaks.

Fear and frothing in Faafu

In a first-hand account of his ordeal, Hassan Mohamed recounts how he was treated like a suspect at the Nilandhoo police station after he was threatened with violence by the brother-in-law of a ruling party lawmaker.

Import duty hiked for cigarettes and energy drinks

The price of a pack of cigarettes has shot up from MVR48 (US$3.11) to about MVR75 (US$5) after the import duty hike from MVR1.25 to MVR2 per cigarette came into effect. The price of a single cigarette is up from MVR2.50 to about MVR4.

Citywide power outage in Malé disrupts water and telecom services

A city-wide electricity outage in Malé for more than two hours on Sunday afternoon disrupted water and telecommunication services in the capital.

Social media activist released after one year in custody

Ahmed Ashraf’s trial resumed on Wednesday after more than one year. The first hearing was held in February 2016. The charge of issuing threats carries a jail sentence of one year, but the teenage social media celebrity has spent a longer period in detention.

Policeman under investigation over online harassment of 16-year-old girl

A policeman is under investigation over the online sexual harassment of a popular 16-year-old female singer. The officer shared Bathool Ahmed’s photo on Facebook and compared the minor to a Lebanese-American porn star.

PPM backs barring soldiers from voting

Majority Leader Ahmed Nihan contended that the changes are necessary to ensure public confidence in the military, insisting that the party is working “genuinely with honest intentions” for the good of the military.

Gender ministry official on trial for negligence dismissed unfairly, court rules

Ahmed Shuzad, the employee found to have been dismissed unfairly, is among four gender ministry staff presently on trial along with a policeman over negligence in the child’s murder.

MDP warns of ‘creeping colonialism’ by Saudi Arabia