Maldives News
Maldives economy slowed to 1.9% in 2015
The Maldivian economy slowed to just 1.9 percent growth in 2015, knocked by a slowdown in tourism arrivals and a number of booking cancellations following a state of emergency in November, the World Bank has said.
11 May 2016, 09:00
Police dismantle political party hangouts in central island
Police dismantled political party jagahas or hangouts on the island of Kudahuvadhoo in Dhaalu Atoll on the home ministry’s orders.
11 May 2016, 09:00
MDP reiterates call for consultation over e-voting plans
The main opposition Maldivian Democratic Party has urged the Elections Commission to consult with political parties over its plans to introduce electronic voting in the upcoming local council elections.
10 May 2016, 09:00
Government warns of health risks from unregulated Hijama therapy
The ministry of health has warned of health risks from unregulated Hijama therapy, urging practitioners of the complementary therapy to register with the government.
10 May 2016, 09:00
Eight years later, high court overturns murder conviction
The high court overturned today a murder conviction against Fariyash Ahmed, who was serving a life sentence over a killing in 2006. The 28-year-old had escaped from Maafushi Jail in October 2014, but was apprehended days later.
10 May 2016, 09:00
Maldives government denies involvement in journalist’s disappearance
Responding to the UN, the Maldivian foreign ministry said the government “rejected any suggestion that it is responsible for the disappearance of Rilwan, or that it has any involvement as alleged at all.”
10 May 2016, 09:00
Court upholds death sentence for murder accomplice
The high court has upheld today the death sentence of a young woman convicted of killing a prominent lawyer, despite her lawyer insisting the death penalty was disproportionate as she was an accomplice to the murder.
10 May 2016, 09:00
Torrential rain and tidal waves forecast for central Maldives
The Met Department has issued a severe weather warning for central Maldives, forecasting torrential rain, severe thunderstorms and swell waves for the stretch of atolls between Lhaviyani and Meemu Atolls for the next seven days.
09 May 2016, 09:00
Journalists will not be charged over president’s office protest
Ismail Ali, the police spokesman, said: “The cases have not been sent for prosecution, and all of the individuals who were arrested have been summoned to the police station and issued an official warning, advising them to comply with laws and regulations.”
09 May 2016, 09:00
EU denies claim it revoked duty-free status for Maldives fish on gay rights grounds
President Abdulla Yameen’s claim that the European Union had revoked duty-free status for Maldives tuna over the country’s failure to implement freedom of religion and homosexual rights is “inaccurate,” a European Union official has said.
09 May 2016, 09:00
Government closes Laamu Atoll schools for president’s visit
The education ministry closed down schools in Laamu Atoll for President Abdulla Yameen’s visit to the southern atoll today, requesting students and parents to attend government rallies instead.
09 May 2016, 09:00
16 months later, police make arrests over suspicious death
The Maldives police have arrested five people over the death of a young man some 16 months ago. At the time, the police had labelled Mohamed Nadhaal’s death an accident.
09 May 2016, 09:00
Maldives students are taught that democracy attracts Allah’s wrath
Maldivian students are taught that Western-style democracy allows the alteration of Allah’s revelations, encourages sinful behaviour and justifies Allah’s wrath.
08 May 2016, 09:00
Judges pledge to tackle human-trafficking
Maldivian judges have pledged their support to end human trafficking, agreeing to hold awareness sessions with contractors and use a special logo on all construction bid invitations by the judiciary.
08 May 2016, 09:00
UN summons Maldives over journalist’s disappearance
The UN Working Group on Enforced and Involuntary Disappearances has summoned the Maldivian government for a response to the disappearance of The Maldives Independent’s journalist Ahmed Rilwan some 639 days ago.
08 May 2016, 09:00
State broadcaster refused to telecast press freedom day ceremony
The state broadcaster refused to show a live telecast of last week’s press freedom day official ceremony despite assurances to the Maldives Media Council.
07 May 2016, 09:00
Elder statesman rails against authoritarian reversals
Ahmed ‘Seena’ Zahir, a former lawmaker and minister, has blasted authoritarian reversals under President Abdulla Yameen, criticising judicial corruption and tyranny, the ruling party’s crackdown on oversight bodies and press freedom.
07 May 2016, 09:00
Young man found unconscious with injuries dies at hospital
A young man found unconscious with injuries near the Indira Gandhi Memorial Hospital in Malé on Thursday morning has died while undergoing treatment.
07 May 2016, 09:00
Civil society groups call for inquiry into police’s blocking of May Day rally
Some seven civil society groups filed a complaint with the watchdog National Integrity Commission requesting an inquiry into the police’s blocking of a protest march on May Day.
06 May 2016, 09:00
Democracy or money? Excerpts from Yameen’s May 2 speech
Here are excerpts from Yameen’s May 2 speech in which he speaks at length on his views of democracy, criticises persisting international pressure and opposition’s lobby efforts for sanctions.
05 May 2016, 09:00
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