Maldives News

Journalist’s family backs independent inquiry into disappearance

Minivan News journalist Ahmed Rilwan’s family has supported the opposition’s call for an independent inquiry into his disappearance a year ago in a Malé suburb.

Defence minister summoned over Chinese submarine ‘incursion into Maldivian waters’

Defence minister Moosa Ali Jaleel has been summoned to parliament to answer whether a Chinese Yuan class 335 submarine entered Maldivian territorial waters between March 31 and May 22. MDP MP Eva Abdulla submitted the question to parliament yesterday to summon the retired major general for minister’s question time.

Jailed ex MP admitted at hospital for tests

Imprisoned former ruling party MP Ahmed Nazim has been admitted at the Indira Gandhi Memorial Hospital (IGMH) to conduct tests.

President to appoint members to university governing council

Family requests Nazim’s transfer from jail to house arrest

The family of former defense minister Mohamed Nazim has requested his transfer from prison to house arrest with an appeal filed over the 11-year-jail term on weapons smuggling charges stalled indefinitely at the High Court.

New regulation issued on import duty waivers

PPM seeks to limit elected councils to populous islands

PPM MP Abdulla Khaleel has also proposed extensive changes to the composition of local councils. Apart from the president and vice president of island, atoll, and city councils, the ruling party lawmaker proposed making other councillors part-time members who would not be involved in day-to-day activities.

Young man dies in attempt to flee from police

The young man was driving the motorbike when the police attempted to stop him in a drug operation near Flat 133 in Malé’s suburb Hulhumalé at 9:10pm. The young man sped away at high speed and crashed into a car.

Efforts to put Maldives on CMAG agenda unsuccessful, says foreign ministry

The Maldives is not on the agenda of the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group (CMAG) despite “efforts made by some of the most powerful countries in the Commonwealth to place the Maldives on the group’s agenda and harm the nation,” the foreign ministry has said.

Progress in talks raises hope of end to crisis

Representatives of the government and the opposition expressed tonight optimism of a resolution to a six-month long political crisis with home minister stating the government is open to exploring avenues to release jailed politicians and withdraw charges against opposition supporters.

Tax authority removes freeze on Villa Group accounts

The tax authority has removed a freeze on Jumhooree Party leader and tourism tycoon Gasim Ibrahim’s Villa Group accounts in yet another indication of a thaw in relations between the opposition and the government.

Hearing in Ibthihaal murder trial cancelled

Comment: Mosque, story of my country

The sermons coming out of the Mosque almost always address matters relating to creed, never relating them to issues that are more directly connected to socio-economic problems, writes Aisha Hussein Rasheed.

MDP and Sangu TV in row over live broadcast of rallies

MP Ahmed Mahloof said an opposition supporter had removed Sangu TV’s microphone from the podium at the opposition’s campaign office or Haruge, resulting in a confrontation between “gangsters” who supported the TV channel and opposition supporters. Sangu TV however said the group were its staff.

Hundreds mobilized in campaign against dengue

Hundreds of staff at state owned companies, government offices, and volunteers started walking door-to-door in the capital Malé this morning with a checklist of activities to eliminate mosquito-breeding sites. At least four people have died from mosquito-borne dengue fever this year.

Maldives secures US$50m loan for water and waste projects

Sea plane with tourists crash-lands, all passengers safe

A Trans Maldivian Airways seaplane carrying 11 tourists crashed landed in the water near Kuredhu Island Resort in north central Maldives at 5:30pm today. The passengers and three members of crew are safe.

Maldives threatens to leave the Commonwealth, again

The Maldives “will seriously consider its membership at the Commonwealth” if it is placed on the agenda of the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group (CMAG) for a second time in four years, foreign minister Dunya Maumoon has said.

Transparency Maldives call for criminalisation of Illicit enrichment

The United Nations Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC) – which the Maldives acceded to in 2007 – defines illicit enrichment as a “significant increase in the assets of a public official that he or she cannot reasonably explain in relation to his or lawful income.”

Majlis notifies vice-president of impeachment vote

The People’s Majlis has notified vice president Dr Mohamed Jameel Ahmed of a resolution calling for his removal, and granted him 14 days to respond to charges.