Maldives
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.”
17 Aug 2015, 9:00 AM
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.
16 Aug 2015, 9:00 AM
Drawing the wrong lessons from Singapore
President Yameen and his cabinet tout Singapore as a development model for the Maldives. They admire its combination of prosperity and one-party rule. But if they conclude authoritarianism is behind Singapore’s success, they are drawing the wrong lesson, writes Hawwa Kareem
16 Aug 2015, 9:00 AM
Strong winds rip off roofs, damage farmland in the south
Strong winds and heavy rain in southern Addu City and Fuvahmulah Island uprooted trees, damaged farmland and ripped off roofs on Friday.
15 Aug 2015, 9:00 AM
Most of debris from Maldives not from MH370, says Malaysia
Most of the debris found in the Maldives were not from missing Malaysian Airlines Flight MH370, the Malaysian Transport Minister Liow Tiong Lal has said.
15 Aug 2015, 9:00 AM
Government steps up shore protection efforts
The Maldives is stepping up efforts to address beach erosion this year with projects worth MVR313million (US$20million) ongoing in some 16 islands, a fraction of the number of islands that require urgent shore protection measures.
15 Aug 2015, 9:00 AM
Indian High Commissioner to Maldives transferred to Denmark
The Indian High Commissioner of India to the Maldives Shri Rajeev Shahare has been appointed as the next Ambassador of India to Denmark, the Indian external affairs ministry has said.
15 Aug 2015, 9:00 AM
Only ruling party MPs can propose bills on taxes, state expenditure
The ruling party dominated People’s Majlis amended today its standing orders to prevent opposition MPs from submitting legislation relating to taxes and public finance.
12 Aug 2015, 9:00 AM
Man injured in lightning strike at sea
A man was injured in a lightning strike at sea near the capital Malé at 12:15pm today. He suffered injuries to his head and ears and is receiving treatment at the ADK hospital.
12 Aug 2015, 9:00 AM
Courts ordered to clear backlog in one month
Chief Justice Abdulla Saeed today ordered all courts to clear backlog of long-pending cases within one month. Lawyers say the move is “practically impossible.”
12 Aug 2015, 9:00 AM
Government rejects calls for third-party mediation in talks
The President’s Office rejected today a call by MDP to seek third-party mediation in talks, saying it does not want “foreign parties to intervene in domestic affairs of the Maldives.” Talks have been stalled since mid-July.
12 Aug 2015, 9:00 AM
Possible MH370 debris was thrown out as garbage
A piece of debris found washed ashore in the Maldives and thought to be wreckage from Malaysian Airlines Flight MH370 was thrown out in as garbage late May. The Maldivian police were only able to recover a fraction of the metal piece.
12 Aug 2015, 9:00 AM
Maldives army stops tourists out ‘whale-watching’
The Maldives Coastguard on Wednesday stopped, searched and brought back to shore a group of seven tourists at sea on board a fishing vessel in southern Maldives. The tourists are accused of planning “activities that could harm Maldives’ interests and reputation abroad.”
11 Aug 2015, 9:00 AM
Criminal court urged to expedite Imran’s trial
Prosecutor General Muhthaz Muhsin has written to the criminal court urging it to expedite a terrorism trial against Sheikh Imran Abdulla, indicted on terrorism and held without trial for two months.
10 Aug 2015, 9:00 AM
Anger over school photo exhibition’s ‘exclusion of Nasheed’
The exclusion of former President Mohamed Nasheed from a local school photo exhibition depicting Maldives history has sparked outrage among his supporters.
10 Aug 2015, 9:00 AM
Sporting community welcomes cash rewards for medals
The sporting community has welcomed President Abdulla Yameen’s decision to award cash prizes for medals in international sporting events. Hassan Saaid, who won a gold and a silver medal in the Indian Ocean Island Games (IOIG), will receive a prize of MVR350,000 (US$22,698).
10 Aug 2015, 9:00 AM
President’s ‘fear of black magic’ behind felling of trees and changes to traffic flow
Major changes to traffic flow in central Malé, the uprooting of old trees at the Republic Square and the removal of a monument at the Sultan Park have fuelled speculation that the sudden changes were caused by President Abdulla Yameen’s alleged fear of black magic and sorcery.
10 Aug 2015, 9:00 AM
State yet to appeal Nasheed’s terrorism conviction
The Prosecutor General’s (PG) Office is yet to appeal former President Mohamed Nasheed’s terrorism conviction, despite nearly three weeks passing since the announcement of intent to appeal.
10 Aug 2015, 9:00 AM
Adeeb in Malta on second leg of official trip
Vice President Ahmed Adeeb met with the President of Malta Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca on Saturday, and presented a letter from President Abdulla Yameen.
09 Aug 2015, 9:00 AM
In letter to Modi, Yameen pledges to keep Indian Ocean demilitarized
President Abdulla Yameen, in a letter to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has assured India that Maldives will keep the Indian Ocean demilitarized and will not allow foreign military bases in the Maldives, report Indian media.
09 Aug 2015, 9:00 AM
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