Maldives News

Army deployed amidst clashes between police and gangs

Soldiers were deployed to the streets of Malé at midnight on Saturday in the wake of reported clashes between riot police officers and a number of gangs.

Criminal court bench overhauled

The judicial watchdog has launched a major overhaul of the criminal court bench as the court prepares to begin hearing terror charges against officials and soldiers implicated in an alleged assassination attempt on President Abdulla Yameen.

Yameen concedes need for judicial reform, appeals for MDP to join talks

President Abdulla Yameen conceded Wednesday the need for reforming the Maldivian judiciary and renewed appeals for the main opposition Maldivian Democratic Party to engage in dialogue with the government to resolve a year-long political crisis.

Human rights watchdog slams “unacceptable” misogynistic behaviour from MPs

Misogynistic remarks and behaviour from MPs that were derogatory towards women at recent sittings of the People’s Majlis are “unacceptable,” the human rights watchdog has said, urging lawmakers not to undermine national efforts for women’s empowerment.

Abu Dhabi pledges US$40m loan for Maldives airport project

The Abu Dhabi Fund for Development has pledged a US$40million loan to develop the Maldives’ main airport, the finance ministry has said. The government is also in talks with the IDB to obtain an additional US$110million loan for the project.

Majlis votes to keep list of designated terror groups secret

The new law states that the home minister must compile a “positive list” comprising of organisations that Maldivians are permitted to join. An individual who wants to join or promote an unlisted group has to seek permission from the home ministry.

Ex MP denies bribing president, judges to avoid jail sentence

Former MP Abdulla Jabir has denied paying MVR10 million (US$648,500) to President Abdulla Yameen to influence the outcome of his trial in early 2014 after the opposition-aligned station Raajje TV aired a phone conversation between the resort businessmen and former Tourism Minister Ahmed Adeeb.

MP pledges to build US$5m hospital in northern island

An opposition MPhas pleged to spend US$5million on upgrading a healthpost to a hospital in the island of Fokaidhoo in northern Shaviyani Atoll.

Opposition accused of campaigning for tourism boycott at ITB fair

Maldives cancels PR deal with Podesta

The government of Maldives has cancelled a US$300,000 PR deal with Washington-based lobbyist Podesta, following former Vice President Ahmed Adeeb’s arrest on a charge of plotting to kill President Abdulla Yameen.

Adeeb, five soldiers charged over boat blast

The Prosecutor General’s office filed charges against former Vice President Ahmed Adeeb and five soldiers at the criminal court yesterday over the September 28 blast on the president’s speedboat.

Appeals court upholds ex-defence minister’s arms smuggling conviction

The High Court upheld today a weapons smuggling conviction against former Defence Minister Mohamed Nazim, ruling that there was no evidence to suggest he was framed by rogue police officers.

May Day protester sentenced to seven years for assaulting policeman

A 50-year-old man has been sentenced to seven years in prison after being found guilty of assaulting a policeman during a mass anti-government protest on May 1 last year.

One bad apple

What happens when a leadership becomes dysfunctional? What is its impact on the health of the society they rule over? Just as children mimic their parents, do citizens mimic their leaders? Does our need to follow authority make us betray the positive, fundamental values that define our humanity? Asks Latheefa A. Verall

Government still hopes MDP will join talks despite third snub

The government will continue to attempt to convince the Maldivian Democratic Party and Adhaalath Party to participate in all-party talks following a third snub by the allied opposition parties, Fisheries Minister Dr Mohamed Shainee said today.

Ruling party MP calls female MPs ‘screaming crows’ in equality debate

PPM MP Riyaz Rasheed caused a stir today labelling the four women MPs of the opposition “shameless” and “screaming crows.” He also said that women are the leading cause for heart attacks and strokes.

Adeeb oversaw theft of US$5m resort lease payment, contends prosecution

The embezzlement of US$5 million paid for leasing the island of Mabinhura in Lhaviyani atoll was carried out on the instructions of detained former Vice President Ahmed Adeeb, state prosecutors told the criminal court today.

Saudi Arabia pledges US$50m for military housing project

Saudi Arabia pledged to provide US$50 million for a military housing project during an official visit to the kingdom this week by Defence Minister Adam Shareef Umar.

Maldives tax receipts soar in February

The tax authority reported an extraordinary increase of 66.1percent in February revenues, off the back of an increase in tourist arrivals in January. Total income reached MVR1.5billion (US$97million).

More than 20 islands already facing water shortages

More than 20 islands across the Maldives are already facing water shortages, according to the National Disaster Management Centre.