Maldives News
Tourist arrivals decline in May
Tourist arrivals fell by -2.3 percent in May compared to the same period last year on the back of a steep decline in Chinese visitors.
03 Jul 2016, 09:00
Court bars former Haveeru staff from working for new paper
“We will jobless for the next two years. This is an absolute violation of our fundamental rights, our right to work anywhere we want. This is part of the government’s continuing crackdown on the press,” said assistant editor Ali Naafiz.
03 Jul 2016, 09:00
Maldives urged to halt execution by EU, UN rights experts
Former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom has also opposed Humam’s execution without the consent of the victim’s family. “No Islamic state has the right to carry out qisas except as provided in Islam,” he declared in a tweet.
02 Jul 2016, 09:00
Translation: Gayoom’s statement on PPM reform agenda
In a televised statement Thursday night, Gayoom accused PPM MPs of defying his instructions, working against the party’s founding principles, and facilitating corruption. The PPM leader also suggested that council members asked him to grant the party’s presidential ticket to Yameen under duress.
02 Jul 2016, 09:00
Gayoom accused of ‘hijacking’ PPM as power struggle intensifies
Former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom has been accused of “hijacking” the Progressive Party of Maldives as a power struggle with his half-brother President Abdulla Yameen for control of the ruling party intensified today.
30 Jun 2016, 09:00
Gayoom moves to take control of PPM
Gayoom moved to take control of the PPM tonight after a complaint was filed with the party’s disciplinary committee urging action against two MPs, including son Faris, who did not vote for a controversial tourism bill.
30 Jun 2016, 09:00
What some people call journalism
The role of ‘journalists’ like the editor of pro-government outlet Avas and the establishments that prop such people up, was crucial in bringing to an end the Maldives’ democratic transition. It is playing an equally crucial role in strengthening the current government’s authoritarianism, writes Azra Naseem.
30 Jun 2016, 09:00
New tax introduced on local tourism
Tourists staying in guesthouses in the Maldives will be charged a tax of US$3 for each day of stay effective October 1.
29 Jun 2016, 09:00
Government authorised to lease islands without bidding
The ruling party-controlled parliament voted through today controversial changes to the tourism law that authorises the government to lease islands for resort development without a competitive bidding process.
29 Jun 2016, 09:00
Maldives forges ahead with preparations for death penalty despite criticism
The government is forging ahead with plans to execute the 22-year-old man convicted of killing MP Afrasheem Ali. The MP’s family, who asked courts to delay the death sentence last week, said they are yet to hear back
29 Jun 2016, 09:00
Gayoom urges PPM MPs to vote against government tourism bill
In a message posted on the PPM MPs’ Viber group yesterday, the former president said authorising the government to lease islands for resort development without a bidding process is contrary to the party’s founding principles.
28 Jun 2016, 09:00
Majlis approves diplomatic postings to UN and Europe
The People’s Majlis approved today President Abdulla Yameen’s nominees for the new Maldivian permanent representative to the UN and non-resident ambassador to the Netherlands and Luxembourg.
28 Jun 2016, 09:00
Supreme court upholds verdict against Maldives ex-president
The supreme court has upheld former President Mohamed Nasheed’s 13-year jail sentence on charges of terrorism.
27 Jun 2016, 09:00
Supreme court throws out ex-defence minister’s pistol smuggling appeal
The supreme court registrar said judges had “decided not to hear the appeal” after holding two hearings. Nazim’s family has accused the Maldivian state of holding him hostage.
27 Jun 2016, 09:00
Supreme court judge accused of forging identity documents
The Maldivian Democratic Party has called for Supreme Court Judge Ali Hameed to be investigated for forgery over apparent inconsistencies of age in his identity documents
26 Jun 2016, 09:00
Graft watchdog advises against awarding ‘mega projects’ without bidding
The anti-corruption watchdog has advised the government to reverse changes brought to the public finance regulations last year that allowed large-scale projects to be awarded without a competitive bidding process.
26 Jun 2016, 09:00
Critical news website closes citing unrelenting political pressure
CNM, a popular news website critical of the Maldives government, has been forced shut after it exposed the first lady’s misuse of state resources.
25 Jun 2016, 09:00
Soldiers convicted of evidence-tampering in boat blast freed
Two soldiers convicted of thwarting an investigation into the explosion on President Abdulla Yameen’s speedboat were freed Wednesday.
25 Jun 2016, 09:00
Maldives state ready to kill Humam, and a way of life
The noose around Humam’s neck will put an end to not just his life but to two problems the government encounters: rumours of President Yameen’s involvement in Afrasheem’s murder that just won’t die; and accusations that it is not following the path of ‘true Islam’, i.e, Saudi-led Salafi Islam, writes Azra Naseem
25 Jun 2016, 09:00
Ex-vice president convicted of graft
The Maldives’ former Vice President Ahmed Adeeb has been convicted of graft and handed an eight-year prison sentence for the theft of US$5million from the lease of an island for tourism.
24 Jun 2016, 09:00
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