Maldives News
Boat blast suspect re-arrested on money laundering charge
An influential businessman, arrested in Malaysia, on suspicion of links to an explosion on President Abdulla Yameen’s speedboat was released on Friday, but detained immediately on a new charge of money laundering.
21 Nov 2015, 09:00
Court says Feb 7 police brutality video altered, acquits officer
A police officer caught on camera brutalizing an opposition member on February 7, 2012, was cleared of charges after a criminal court judge ruled that the video of the assault was tampered with.
21 Nov 2015, 09:00
Who will be the next Vice President?
With the impeachment of Vice President Ahmed Adeeb, the choice of a replacement weights heavier on President Abdulla Yameen’s shoulders every day, writes S. Visham
21 Nov 2015, 09:00
Saudi Arabia to help maintain Maldives religious unity
Saudi Arabia and the Maldives signed an MOU today to enhance ties in Islamic affairs, including maintaining religious unity, and training Imams and religious scholars.
19 Nov 2015, 09:00
Row erupts over allocation of development funds for 2016
Days after President Abdulla Yameen told MPs he would not add new development projects for 2016, discontent over the scarcity of funds erupted into heated arguments between MPs and ministers with a minister calling MPs “idiots.”
19 Nov 2015, 09:00
MDP hopes to exploit Yameen’s shaky hold on power on Nov 27
The MDP is hoping to capitalize on the government’s apparent shaky grip on power with a prolonged mass protest on November 27.
19 Nov 2015, 09:00
President nominates his lawyer as new Prosecutor General
Ibrahim Muaz Ali, the president’s spokesperson, said in a tweet today that Aishath Bisham was the only the only candidate who applied when the president’s office invited applications last week.
18 Nov 2015, 09:00
MPs ‘threatened’ before vote on vice president’s impeachment
Ruling party MP Mohamed Musthafa has accused the leader of the government-aligned Maldives Development Alliance, MP Ahmed ‘Sun Travel’ Shiyam of threatening to have MPs who did not vote to impeach the former vice president prosecuted on terrorism charges.
18 Nov 2015, 09:00
Tourism tycoon MP labels opposition ‘terrorists’ over boycott call
In a tirade on the People’s Majlis floor yesterday, tourism tycoon and pro-government MP Ahmed ‘Sun Travel’ Shiyam labeled opposition MPs “traitors” and “terrorists” for allegedly calling for a tourism boycott.
18 Nov 2015, 09:00
‘Failed system’ blamed for death of Milandhoo heart-attack patient
A 57-year-old victim of a heart attack from the island of Milandhoo in Shaviyani atoll died yesterday before boarding a plane to the capital after an oxygen tank ran out. “We are all destined to die someday. Some naturally and some by others’ fault. My mother died because of a failed system,” her son said.
18 Nov 2015, 09:00
Government claim of adding 70,000 jobs ridiculed
The government has drawn ridicule on social media after a minister claimed President Abdulla Yameen’s administration had created 70,000 jobs in the first two years of his presidency.
18 Nov 2015, 09:00
Maldivian man hospitalized after mugging in Colombo
A Maldivian man who was mugged has been hospitalized with head injuries in Colombo, Sri Lanka. His injuries are not severe, according to the man’s hosts.
18 Nov 2015, 09:00
Weekly prayer for political prisoners angers Islamic Ministry
The ministry claimed in a statement yesterday that the MDP’s prayer contains ill wishes towards particular people, describing it as a “show off”. Hundreds of opposition supporters have been gathering outside the Islamic centre in Malé every week after Friday prayers since the arrest of former President Mohamed Nasheed in February.
17 Nov 2015, 09:00
President sacks commissioner general of customs
President Abdulla Yameen today sacked Commissioner General of Customs Abbas Adil Riza and appointed Maldives Ports Limited CEO Mohamed Junaid to the post.
17 Nov 2015, 09:00
STO recalls shipment of tainted flour
The State Trading Organisation (STO) has warned its customers not to use flour that contains impurities. An STO media official said samples from the contaminated batch have been sent to Maldives Food and Drug Authority for testing.
17 Nov 2015, 09:00
Death chamber, isolation cells, and new jails
The government has earmarked funds in next year’s budget for new jails, a “death chamber” and solitary confinement units at the Maafushi jail, but slashed funding for the human rights watchdog to carry out torture prevention programmes and monitor compliance with international human rights treaties.
17 Nov 2015, 09:00
Two years on – “Blame it on bro”
On its two year anniversary in power, the PPM government is mired in scandal. Yet there is no push for reform among its supporters. Blame was put on ex Vice President Ahmed Adeeb’s shoulders, while a purge of his loyalists was suggested to put the government back on track.
17 Nov 2015, 09:00
World Bank blacklisted Chinese company awarded Maldives bridge project
The CCCC Second Harbour Engineering company was sanctioned in 2009 and barred from engaging in any road and bridge projects financed by the World Bank Group until January 2017.
16 Nov 2015, 09:00
Population consolidation keystone of 2016 state budget
As the dispersion of the Maldivian people in 188 islands is an obstacle to economic development, Jihad said the government’s population consolidation policy is to settle 70 percent of the population to Hulhumalé.
16 Nov 2015, 09:00
Lawyers of two more suspects in boat blast suspended
The Supreme Court has suspended the lawyers representing two more suspects in the September 28 explosion on President Abdulla Yameen’s speedboat.
16 Nov 2015, 09:00
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