Politics
Schools forced shut in Malé as parents keep children at home over flu outbreak
All schools in capital city Malé have been shut once again after parents refused to send their children to school amid widespread panic over a flu outbreak that has claimed six lives
28 Mar 2017, 09:00
No-confidence motion defeated – as it happened
Live coverage of on the no-confidence motion against Speaker Abdulla Maseeh Mohamed. The military security of the parliament has barred the media and civil society organisations from observing the sitting.
27 Mar 2017, 09:00
MPs plan to oust Gayoom from PPM leadership
Ibrahim Falah, deputy leader of the PPM parliamentary group, told the press that Gayoom has only been able to remain in the post due to the “love and respect” President Abdulla Yameen bears for his half-brother.
26 Mar 2017, 09:00
Majority leader threatens journalist with defamation action
Majority Leader Ahmed Nihan threatened to sue a journalist during a televised press conference on Saturday in response to a question about allegations linking ruling coalition lawmakers to the Maldives’ biggest corruption.
26 Mar 2017, 09:00
Former presidents, party leaders unite to ‘restore democracy’
The four political heavyweights resolved to “safeguard civil and political rights abrogated from citizens” and “ensure elections held in the Maldives are free and fair in which candidates of political parties choosing are allowed to contest.”
25 Mar 2017, 09:00
Lawyer questioned by police over retweet
Lawyer Nazim Sattar was summoned for questioning at the police headquarters Wednesday over a retweet alleging that the first lady was travelling from Singapore to Malé “with large amounts of cash”.
23 Mar 2017, 09:00
Both sides certain of victory ahead of no-confidence vote
Both President Abdulla Yameen and the new alliance formed between ruling party lawmakers loyal to former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom and opposition parties are confident of victory in the upcoming no-confidence vote against the parliament’s speaker.
23 Mar 2017, 09:00
Police interrogates Mihaaru editor after complaints by judiciary
Echoing the criminal court’s threat of legal action against journalists, the broadcasting regulator has also accused some media outlets of “spreading falsehoods and slander that encourages terrorism, tarnishes the country’s good name internationally, and strains the Maldivian state’s diplomatic relations”.
21 Mar 2017, 09:00
First lady stirs controversy with distribution of flu medicine and vaccines
The first lady’s campaign office began distributing masks, medicine and leaflets about influenza in Malé on Thursday and planned to send supplies to islands facing shortages.
20 Mar 2017, 09:00
Gasim urges MPs who switched sides to leave ruling party
The return of lawmakers from the Jumhooree Party and opposition Maldivian Democratic Party who switched to the ruling party will “automatically” solve the problems facing the Maldives, JP leader Gasim Ibrahim said.
20 Mar 2017, 09:00
Umar Naseer accused of corruption over Independence 50 celebrations
Shortly after investigators from the anti-graft watchdog went into the home ministry Sunday morning, Home Minister Azleen Ahmed called an impromptu press conference and alleged that his predecessor had awarded contracts in violation of public finance rules.
20 Mar 2017, 09:00
Social media activist under arrest for ‘inciting fear and sowing discord’
Thayyib Shaheem, a prominent opposition social media activist, is under arrest on suspicion of sowing discord among the public with false information on social media and inciting fear and panic about the H1N1 swine flu virus.
19 Mar 2017, 09:00
Criminal court threatens to take action against journalists
The criminal court has threatened to take “legal action” against journalists who “encourage terrorism” and threaten the peace, stability and sovereignty of the Maldivian state.
19 Mar 2017, 09:00
‘Terror threat’ prompted cancellation of Saudi king’s visit to Maldives
Both the police and the home minister have dismissed the article by Asian News International, which reported that the Saudi king’s official visit was cancelled over fears that terror cells set up by a Yemeni man in the Maldives could pose a threat.
19 Mar 2017, 09:00
Council elections delayed for third time over flu outbreak
“President Yameen is convinced he can’t win a fair election and has delayed #LCE2017 for the 3rd time. A case of lies upon lies. Unacceptable,” tweeted former President Mohamed Nasheed, the opposition leader.
18 Mar 2017, 09:00
Saudi king’s visit to Maldives postponed
The foreign minister said the visit was postponed due to the flu outbreak. The announcement comes after a leaked audio clip of Majority Leader Ahmed Nihan talking about the sale of Himithi in Faafu atoll to Saudi Crown Prince Mohamed bin Salman Al Saud.
17 Mar 2017, 09:00
MDP meeting hall raided for third time ahead of Saudi king’s visit
The meeting hall was previously raided twice amidst a crackdown against any attempts to carry out “demeaning” activities during upcoming official visits.
16 Mar 2017, 09:00
Maldives prepares to greet Saudi king
The Maldives is preparing for the official visit of Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud on Saturday afternoon with rehearsals for the red-carpet welcoming ceremony at the Republic Square in Malé.
16 Mar 2017, 09:00
Faris Maumoon questioned by anti-graft watchdog
The Anti-Corruption Commission summoned MP Faris Maumoon for questioning on Tuesday afternoon, drawing accusations of intimidation and harassment ahead of the upcoming no-confidence vote against the speaker of parliament.
15 Mar 2017, 09:00
As sole candidates, 13 councillors elected without contest
Thirteen councillors have been elected without a contest after the elections commission declared them winners by default in the absence of other contenders.
15 Mar 2017, 09:00
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