Maldives News
Maldives hires US lobbyist Podesta Group for US$300,000
The government of Maldives has hired Washington’s most prominent lobbyist firm Podesta Group for a sum of US$300,000 to advocate on its behalf amidst calls for sanctions on government officials for human rights violations.
27 Sep 2015, 09:00
Maldives accepts UPR recommendations on judicial reform
The judiciary came under fire during the Maldives’ Universal Periodic Review in May over “politicisation,” inadequate qualification of judges, and lack of conformity to international fair trial standards as well as the Supreme Court’s contempt of court cases against the Elections Commission and Human Rights Commission of Maldives.
26 Sep 2015, 09:00
Why it makes sense to invest in women and children’s health
Spending on the health of women and young people should be considered ‘investments’, because it accrues long-term rights and dividends, to the economy and to society, writes Mr. Chandra Kishore Mishra and Ms. Amina J. Mohammed.
26 Sep 2015, 09:00
Battery malfunction causes speedboat fire, 24 injured
Some 24 people, including Chinese, Japanese, and Indian tourists, were injured this afternoon after a speedboat caught fire near the Hulhulé airport island. A Chinese couple and their five-year-old child are undergoing treatment for severe burns at the ADK private hospital in Malé.
26 Sep 2015, 09:00
Lawyers defend call for targeted sanctions to secure Nasheed’s release
Reiterating calls for targeted sanctions against Maldivian government officials if Nasheed is not released, the opposition leader’s international lawyers Amal Clooney, Jared Genser, and Ben Emmerson said his case is “emblematic of a broader, brutal crackdown on democracy and human rights involving not only the former president, but also large parts of the population.”
25 Sep 2015, 09:00
‘We worry for his safety’: Nasheed’s daughter at UN Human Rights Council
“My father, Mohamed Nasheed, former president of Maldives, was imprisoned by the Maldivian government on fabricated charges of ‘terrorism.’ He is the first democratically elected president of the Maldives. Although I know him as my tenacious and also brilliant father, who has tirelessly risked the majority of his life trying to establish basic human rights in our country,” said Meera Laila Nasheed at the UN Human Rights Council yesterday.
25 Sep 2015, 09:00
Vice president inaugurates Maafaru airport project
The project to develop a domestic airport in Noonu Maafaru was awarded in November 2013 to Millennium Capital Investment – a local company involved in a US$6 million corruption scandal implicating then-Tourism Minister Adeeb in October 2014.
24 Sep 2015, 09:00
Elections Commission to spend MVR1.6million on democracy celebration
The Elections Commission (EC) will be spending MVR1.6million (US$100,000) on celebrating democracy in northern Haa Alif Hoarafushi in October.
23 Sep 2015, 09:00
President Yameen may skip UN general assembly again
Yameen was scheduled to address the UNGA for the first time since his election on October 1. But Ibrahim Muaz Ali, the president’s spokesman, declined to comment if Yameen would be traveling to the US after his ongoing trip to Saudi Arabia.
23 Sep 2015, 09:00
Food supplies reach Makunudhoo ending shortage
The National Disaster Management Center has transported rice, flour and sugar to an isolated northern island facing a food shortage after prolonged bad weather grounded food supply boats.
22 Sep 2015, 09:00
Tidal swells may cause flooding in the Maldives next week
A king tide, caused by the coinciding of a full moon and bad weather, may cause flooding across the Maldives on September 28, 29 and 30, the department of meteorology has said.
22 Sep 2015, 09:00
Maldives marks 50 years of UN membership
On its 50th anniversary of membership with the UN, the Maldivian government defended its rights record, while the opposition called on the government to abide by the UN charter.
22 Sep 2015, 09:00
Food shortage in Makunudhoo amid bad weather
“To be honest, we are barely surviving, my family has only eaten biscuits and bread in the past few days. During this difficult time, families who have food are sharing it with others,” said a Makunudhoo shop owner.
21 Sep 2015, 09:00
Fishermen barred from Malé north harbor
Fishermen are complaining of lack of dock space at Malé’s harbors after vessels were cleared out from the new presidential jetty, Izzuddin pier. Some are now swimming to shore with their catch because they are unable to unload at the congested local market harbor, the only area now open to fishermen.
21 Sep 2015, 09:00
Sixth Maldivian killed fighting with Nusra front in Syria
Mohamed Irfan, who took on the name Abu Yushau Maldifi, traveled to Syria nearly six months ago, sources have said. The exact date of his death is unknown, but it was publicized on Facebook today by Bilad Al Sham Media (BASM) group, run by Maldivian jihadists in Syria.
21 Sep 2015, 09:00
Government seeks developers for 10,000 flats on Hulhumalé
The housing ministry on September 17 opened up a call for proposals for 7,120 social housing units and 3000 medium-end housing units on the newly reclaimed land on Hulhumalé.
20 Sep 2015, 09:00
More than 300 passengers rescued at sea
The coastguard has rescued some 181 passengers on a Thaa Atoll ferry and another 130 passengers on a Haa Alif Atoll ferry on Saturday amidst bad weather that has foiled Eid travel plans for thousands.
20 Sep 2015, 09:00
Chairman of state broadcaster now heads ruling party TV station, news website
Manik, who chairs the state’s Public Service Media (PSM) board, was appointed as the chief operating officer of PPM’s Channel 13 in August. He has now taken on the role of chief executive officer of Avas, a news website set up by Vice President Ahmed Adeeb.
20 Sep 2015, 09:00
Government complains of UK refusal to meet Cherie Blair
The Maldives has lashed out at the UK foreign office’s alleged refusal to allow Cherie Blair to accompany Foreign Minister Dunya Maumoon to a meeting in London.
19 Sep 2015, 09:00
PG takes dispute over Nasheed’s terrorism conviction to Supreme Court
The Prosecutor General said the High Court had clearly misapplied the law in rejecting an appeal filed to determine the credibility of a rapid criminal court trial against former President Mohamed Nasheed.
19 Sep 2015, 09:00
Showing 237 / 805