Maldives News
Raajje TV admits allegations of fraud against tax commissioner was a mistake
Raajje TV said it made a mistake by publishing allegations of fraud against the tax commissioner, Mohamed Yazeed, who has sued the station for defamation over the report
27 Sep 2016, 09:00
MDP decides to join all-party talks
The MDP’s national council decided to heed the Commonwealth’s call for time-bound dialogue without preconditions “to achieve national agreement on institutional reform, and to ensure a conducive environment for credible and inclusive presidential elections in 2018.”
27 Sep 2016, 09:00
EC promises to release political party funds ahead of January’s polls
“We are trying to distribute the funds as soon as possible. It will be given before the preparations for local council elections begin for sure,” EC member Ahmed Akram told The Maldives Independent today. “All that’s remaining now is the administrative procedures to distribute the money.”
27 Sep 2016, 09:00
Minister departs for final round of China-Maldives free trade deal
Economic Development Minister Saeed said the Maldives is hoping to secure duty-free status for fish and processed seafood exports. The Maldives’ first bilateral free trade deal is expected to be signed in early 2017.
26 Sep 2016, 09:00
After Commonwealth warning, government renews call for dialogue
On Sunday, the government asked the main opposition Maldivian Democratic Party and the Adhaalath Party to send details of its representatives for all-party talks “as they were the only parties who have not yet done so despite several previous requests.”
26 Sep 2016, 09:00
Saudi Fund lends Maldives US$100m for new airport terminal
“This is a concessional loan from the Saudi Fund to be repaid within 25 years, with a grace period of five years, at an interest rate of two percent,” the finance ministry said. It will be used to finance the development of a new passenger terminal by the Saudi Binladin group.
26 Sep 2016, 09:00
Man sentenced to death over murder of student
Mohamed Visam was found guilty of stabbing 16-year-old Mohamed Arham with a knife in May 2012. The verdict was based on eyewitness testimony
26 Sep 2016, 09:00
Murder suspect hands himself in to Colombo embassy
A 20-year-old man wanted over a fatal stabbing in Malé gave himself up to the authorities by walking into the Maldivian embassy in Colombo, Sri Lanka on Saturday.
26 Sep 2016, 09:00
Ridicule and relief after president mistakenly proclaims island uninhabited
A decree issued on Thursday declaring Mundoo as uninhabited was rescinded later that night with the president’s office blaming incorrect information from the department of national registration and apologising to the island’s small population.
25 Sep 2016, 09:00
Government announces austerity measures to rein in deficit
The finance ministry has slashed travel budgets, imposed a freeze on appointments, and ordered government offices to close by 2:30pm as it struggles to meet ambitious revenue targets.
25 Sep 2016, 09:00
Fuvahmulah declared Maldives’ third city
As Fuvahmulah is uniquely both an island and its own atoll, it currently has an atoll council as well as island councils for each of its eight administrative wards, with a total of 30 elected councillors. However, the island will now have a three-member city council.
25 Sep 2016, 09:00
Maldives seeks election to UN Security Council
Citing under-representation of small states in the UN’s main bodies, Foreign Minister Dr Mohamed Asim announced Saturday the Maldives’ candidature to the UN Security Council for the term 2019-2020.
25 Sep 2016, 09:00
Catering firm awarded project to build bridge viewing platform
Strada Pvt Ltd, a food and beverage firm owned by a senior ruling party official, will bear the MVR8 million (US$518,800) cost, according to the housing ministry.
25 Sep 2016, 09:00
Maldives placed on Commonwealth agenda, warned of suspension
The Maldives has been placed on the Commonwealth’s formal agenda and warned of suspension, with officials citing “deep disappointment” at the country’s lack of progress in resolving a protracted political crisis.
24 Sep 2016, 09:00
Gasim Abdul Kareem: the hand that rocked the boat
To prosecute Gasim sends the message that protecting the privacy of individuals who engage in corruption on a grand scale is more important than protecting whistleblowers who expose their corruption, writes Transparency Maldives
24 Sep 2016, 09:00
Immigration revokes passport of MDP chairperson, ex-vice president’s associates
“We have shared this information with other countries. Hence, if they travel using this passport, they will face problems at the point of entry and immigration will not be responsible for any inconvenience or loss they may have to face,” said Hassan Khaleel, the department’s media official.
22 Sep 2016, 09:00
Four years later, Ihavandhoo men face trial over civil unrest
Some 22 men from the northern island of Ihavandhoo were charged with obstruction of police duty over the forced closure of a police station during nationwide civil unrest on February 8, 2012. However, the penal code bars prosecution over a misdemeanour after more than three years.
22 Sep 2016, 09:00
Supreme court approval required for underage marriage
The supreme court has introduced new rules requiring the family court to seek its approval before registering marriages involving minors. In accordance with Islamic sharia, the Maldives’ family law allows children under the age of 18 who have reached puberty to get married with a special permission from the family court.
21 Sep 2016, 09:00
Court orders reinstatement of ex-president’s bodyguard
The civil court ordered the defence ministry on Monday to reinstate a senior military officer who was unfairly dismissed in the wake of President Abdulla Yameen’s inauguration in November 2013. Sergeant Major Naushad Ali was among nine high-ranking officers fired over accusations of sowing discord within the military ahead of the 2013 presidential election.
20 Sep 2016, 09:00
Man fined MVR200 for assaulting wife
The man was charged under the old penal code, which carries a penalty of either six months in prison or house arrest, or a fine of MVR200 for assault. The new penal prescribes jail terms of up to four years but the constitution prohibits imposing a more severe penalty than the one applicable at the time the offence was committed.
20 Sep 2016, 09:00
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