Maldives News

Housing ministry takes over more of city council’s office space

The opposition-dominated city council moved its main office to the Huravee building after its eviction from the city hall in April. The housing ministry has now ordered the council to remove its furniture, filing cabinets, and documents from half of the ground floor office space.

Three arrested in Gan on prostitution charges

Two men and a woman were arrested from the island of Gan in Laamu atoll last night on suspicion of engaging in illicit sexual relations.

Judicial watchdog tight-lipped on suspension of civil court judge

The watchdog Judicial Service Commission (JSC) has suspended Civil Court Judge Mariyam Nihayath indefinitely, but has declined to reveal details of the complaint.

Complaint filed over pepper spray use, obstruction of Find Moyameehaa walk

The mother of missing journalist Ahmed Rilwan filed a complaint with the human rights watchdog today over police obstruction of a peaceful memorial walk held on August 8 to mark one year after her son’s unexplained disappearance.

Staff dismissed after vowing to ‘confront’ vice president

“I will confront anyone who criticizes President Yameen, you cannot tell me who I should confront. I have no problem confronting even the Vice President for President Yameen,” Sharif is heard saying in an audio clip posted by the opposition-aligned Raajje TV.

Drug trafficking life sentence overturned on irregularities

In its ruling, the appellate court said Ramiz Ahmed, from Janavareemaage in Laamu Isdhoo, was “deprived of the fundamental constitutional right” to examine the evidence or witnesses against him.

Parliament to consider mandatory Shariah punishments

Nasheed’s lawyers, including Amal Clooney, to visit Maldives in September

The international legal team representing former President Mohamed Nasheed, including Amal Clooney, are set to visit the Maldives in early September.

ADB identifies ‘risk factors’ hindering Maldives economic development

A three-year study by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) titled “The Maldives: Overcoming The Challenges of a Small Island State” found that the government’s effectiveness declined after 1996 whilst the ranking for rule rule of law has fallen since 2005, with the exception of 2012.

Plans underway to build floating luxury islands in the Maldives

Dutch Docklands, the company which plans to build a floating 18-hole golf course in the Maldives, has announced a new project to build luxury floating island homes, able to withstand rising seas.

Government to open second children’s home, mental health hospital

The cabinet’s social council has revealed plans to open a second children’s home in Hulhumalé and a mental health hospital on the island of Guraidhoo in Kaafu atoll.

Two women arrested for burying ‘miscarried’ fetus

Two women were arrested today on the island of Maaemboodhoo in Dhaalu Atoll on a charge of burying a four-month old fetus in secrecy.

Vilimalé health centre upgraded to tertiary hospital

The health centre in the capital’s suburb Vilimalé has been upgraded and reopened as a tertiary hospital.

Malé under water: frequent floods demonstrate climate vulnerability

A few hours of heavy rain in Malé City on Monday morning inundated streets, snarled traffic, flooded the main hospital and caused a roof to cave in at a primary school, prompting concern over the island city’s vulnerability to and lack of preparedness for extreme weather.

Fuvahmulah concerned over government plans to sell off its land

The government has identified several plots of lands in Fuvahmulah to lease or sell for economic development, without consultation with the island’s residents or its council.

Jailed ex-defence minister seeks Supreme Court order to expedite appeal

An appeal of Nazim’s 11-year jail sentence on weapons smuggling charges remains stalled at the High Court after the Supreme Court transferred two judges on the five-judge-panel to a newly created branch in the south.

State to allocate office space for PPM and MDP

The parliament today amended the Political Parties Act, mandating the state to allocate office space or plots of land to political parties with more than 20,000 members.

Island at center of ‘End Surf Exclusivity’ campaign to become heritage site

The government has terminated a contract to develop a boutique surf resort on the island of Thamburudhoo in Kaafu atoll, and pledged to keep the island open to the public as a “surfing heritage site.”

Government and resorts sign zero waste declaration

The environment ministry and some 99 resorts signed a declaration to promote sustainable tourism and protection of marine and coastal ecosystems in the Maldives at the opening ceremony of the “Sixth Regional 3R Forum in Asia and the Pacific” held at the Dharubaaruge convention centre this morning.

Committee sets 10,000-member threshold for political party funding

The parliament’s independent institutions committee has approved amendments proposed to the Political Parties Act to set a threshold of 10,000 registered members for political parties to be eligible for state funding.