Maldives News
Ban Ki-moon renews calls for dialogue in the Maldives
UN secretary general Ban Ki-moon has renewed calls for dialogue between the Maldivian government and political parties, urging the government and the opposition to prioritise national interest and democracy
04 Dec 2016, 09:00
Inmate dies of heart attack in fourth custodial death this year
Ahmed Hassan, 55, was found death by prison guards at 4:40am at the low security prison, Asseyri Jail, on December 1
04 Dec 2016, 09:00
Court delays local council elections
The civil court ordered the elections commission to postpone January’s local council elections, citing the ruling party’s inability to prepare for polls in the wake of a bitter leadership dispute.
02 Dec 2016, 09:00
Concern over investor confidence after appeals court approves seizure of Villa properties
The high court has ruled the government’s seizure of two lagoons leased to Gasim Ibrahim’s Villa Group lawful in a verdict that critics claim was politically motivated and would affect investor confidence in the Maldives.
01 Dec 2016, 09:00
Ali Waheed resigns as MUO deputy leader
Waheed, who lives in exile in the United Kingdom, said he was resigning to pave the way for a leader who lives in the Maldives.
29 Nov 2016, 09:00
Fire breaks out at warehouse in Malé
A massive fire broke out at a warehouse in Malé on Monday, destroying MVR40million (US$2.6million) worth goods, injuring two fire-fighters and spreading to five other buildings in the vicinity before it was put out.
29 Nov 2016, 09:00
Secret terror trial for ex defence minister
Ameen Faisal, who was charged with terrorism over the 2010 detention of President Abdulla Yameen, will be tried behind closed doors, the criminal court has ruled.
29 Nov 2016, 09:00
Officials blame victims of human-trafficking for low conviction rates
Human-trafficking cases are stalled “because victims want to leave the country immediately or weren’t prepared to cooperate with investigators,” the police said.
28 Nov 2016, 09:00
Q&A: Rights advocate calls for affirmative action for Maldives women
Shadiya Ibrahim, the UNFPA’s assistant representative hails the Maldives’ ground-breaking Gender Equality Act, but says affirmative action is necessary to bridge the gender gap in political life and the work-place
28 Nov 2016, 09:00
Central bank defends bailing out government with GMR payout
The MMA confirmed to the Maldives Independent that it invested in a US$140 million government-guaranteed bond issued by the Maldives Airports Company Ltd on November 15, two days before the attorney general announced the payment of US$271 million in damages to the Indian infrastructure firm.
27 Nov 2016, 09:00
Police institution not liable for unlawful arrest, high court rules
The ruling came after the police appealed a civil court’s judgment that declared Sabra Noordeen’s arrest unlawful, unwarranted, and an “abuse of power.” The high court overturned the lower court order for the police to apologise in writing and to erase the record of her arrest.
26 Nov 2016, 09:00
Airport development fee to be introduced in 2017
A contentious Airport Development Charge of US$12 for Maldivians and US$25 for foreigners departing from the Ibrahim Nasir International Airport was voted through by the ruling party-dominated parliament Thursday night.
26 Nov 2016, 09:00
Candidates who lose political party primaries barred from contesting in elections
The parliament has revised the political parties law to bar members who lose primaries from contesting elections on the ticket of a different party or as independent candidates.
25 Nov 2016, 09:00
Parliament approves MVR26.7bn budget for 2017
The parliament passed with a 60-vote majority on Thursday the MVR26.7 billion (US$1.7 billion) budget proposed for 2017, approving the government’s spending plans and revenue raising measures without any revisions.
25 Nov 2016, 09:00
Court hears closing arguments in case against Raajje TV journalists
A verdict will be delivered on December 19, the court said. Prosecutors reiterated that Wisam and Leevan had tackled a police officer to prevent him from making an arrest.
24 Nov 2016, 09:00
Man found not guilty in murder of his ‘sorcerer’ grandfather
The criminal court has acquitted the step-grandson of involvement in the January 2012 murder of Ali Hassan ‘Ayyube’, an alleged sorcerer from the island of Kudahuvadhoo in Dhaalu Atoll.
23 Nov 2016, 09:00
Enforcement of criminal procedures law postponed by six months
The landmark Criminal Procedures Code, approved in April and set to come into force on January 7, will now be enacted in June next year.
22 Nov 2016, 09:00
Parliament rejects proposal to invalidate tagged ballot papers
Ruling coalition lawmakers voted against a proposal to invalidate ballot papers with symbols or markings a day after voting to accept the government-sponsored bill for consideration and sending it to a committee for review.
22 Nov 2016, 09:00
President authorised to constitute religious advisory body
The parliament has granted President Abdulla Yameen the power to appoint members to the Fatwa Majlis, an advisory body that has the final say on religious disputes.
22 Nov 2016, 09:00
Journalist summoned in first criminal inquiry into defamation complaint
A journalist with Mihaaru was questioned over an article in which an opposition official branded three ex MDP members who had called for reforms to the party outsiders.
22 Nov 2016, 09:00
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