Maldives News

Fresh corruption allegations raised in 2014 tourism ministry audit

The audit report of the tourism ministry for 2014 has raised fresh allegations of corruption over the lease of islands and lagoons for resort development during the tenure of former Tourism Minister Ahmed Adeeb.

Carnival cafés closed after raid for undocumented workers

Four cafés at the carnival area in Malé remain closed after 50 expatriate staff were taken into custody Tuesday morning in a joint operation conducted by the police and the immigration department.

Government’s claim of providing housing for tsunami victims disputed

The island council of Vilufushi in the south-central Thaa atoll has disputed the government’s claim of providing permanent shelter for families displaced by the December 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami.

No injuries in fire at seventh-floor terrace

The military’s fire and rescue service on Tuesday afternoon put out a fire that broke out on the seventh-floor terrace of a house in Malé. Three major fire incidents have occurred in the densely packed capital island in 2016.

Waste management corporation begins garbage collection in Malé

The state-owned Waste Management Corporation began collecting garbage from households in Malé this week as part of a broader effort to establish a waste management network in the capital.

Maldives’ main airport renamed ‘Velana International Airport’

Velana is a reference to former President Ibrahim Nasir, the president’s office explained, who oversaw the development of the Maldives’ first international airport as prime minister in 1964.

NGOs demand justice for woman attacked with bleach

A group of civil society organisations has called on the authorities to ensure justice for a 50-year-old woman from the island of Lhaimagu in Shaviyani atoll who was attacked with bleach on Saturday morning.

Hundreds searched in police drug operation

The police drug enforcement department launched a special operation using sniffer dogs in Malé and nearby islands last Thursday, searching hundreds of suspects for illicit narcotics.

State utility company hires 100 individuals with disabilities

According to the Fenaka Corporation, the 79 men and 21 women will work at its branches and powerhouses in the atolls. President Abdulla Yameen and First Lady Fathmath handed out letters of employment at a ceremony Sunday morning.

Suspects arrested for throwing chemicals on woman’s face

A 50-year-old woman from the island of Lhaimagu in Shaviyani atoll was hospitalised Saturday morning after a man threw chemicals on her face.

Man stabbed eight times in Hulhumalé

A 22-year-old man stabbed Saturday night in the capital’s suburb Hulhumalé is in a stable condition at the Indira Gandhi Memorial Hospital in Malé.

Feydhoo Finolhu leased to Chinese company for US$4m

Feydhoo Finolhu, the nearest uninhabited island to Malé and the international airport, has been leased to a Chinese company for 50 years at an acquisition cost of about US$4 million.

Elections commission withdraws appeal against poll delay

The elections commission has withdrawn its appeal of a civil court judgment that postponed next year’s local council elections by two months, drawing fierce criticism from political parties over the independence of the electoral body.

Maldives to pay US$15m for scrapping Nexbis border control deal

Malaysia-based security firm Nexbis Solutions has won an arbitration award of US$15 million as compensation for the Maldivian government’s termination of a US$39 million border control project.

Knife left on ruling party lawmaker’s door

A kitchen knife was lodged in the door of ruling Progressive Party of Maldives lawmaker Riyaz Rasheed’s home in Malé Tuesday night.

Man fined US$7,000 for caging protected bird species

The Environment Protection Agency has fined a Maldivian man MVR111,500 (US$7,200) for capturing and keeping protected birds in his backyard. The hefty fine is the first imposed by the EPA for caging protected bird species.

PPM MPs’ fuel supplier wins lawsuit against ports company

The civil court ordered the state-owned Maldives Ports Limited to buy diesel for its vehicles exclusively from Meridiam Services, a company linked to ruling party MP Riyaz Rasheed.

Media council elects new leadership amid press freedom concerns

Concerns have been raised about the independence and the lack of professional experience of the new members elected to the print and online media regulator at a time when press freedom is under threat.

OPEC Fund lends US$50m for new airport terminal

Sentencing postponed for convicted Raajje TV journalists

The criminal court found two journalists from the opposition-aligned Raajje TV guilty today on controversial charges of obstructing police duty. However, in an unusual move, the sentencing has been postponed to January 24.