A loan agreement to finance the expansion of the Maldives’ main airport was signed with the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development during President Abdulla Yameen’s official visit to the United Arab Emirates. Economic Development Minister Mohamed Saeed signed the agreement on behalf of the Maldives at a ceremony Tuesday at the Ruler’s Court in Dubai. Details […]
The government has terminated contracts signed with Malaysia’s Gryphon Energy Corporation in March to build five domestic airports at a cost of US$57.5 million. Sami Ageel, director of the Regional Airports agency, confirmed to state media Tuesday that the deals were scrapped on September 18 because the Malaysian company – which describes itself as “incorporated with a vision to be […]
Maldivian diplomats have embarked on an international charm offensive as the country lobbies for a seat on the United Nations Security Council — to little fanfare at home. While the foreign ministry announced the country’s candidacy back in 2016, a new website, animated video and three hashtags have been launched to support the campaign. The […]
Former defence minister Ameen Faisal, charged over the military’s “protective custody” of then-MP Abdulla Yameen, has been given a week to prepare the closing arguments in his terrorism trial. Ameen, who served under former president Mohamed Nasheed, was charged with abduction under the now-defunct 1990 Anti-Terrorism Act. He faces up to 15 years in jail […]
The government is “creating youth slums” with new flats in Hulhumalé aimed at married couples, a former housing minister told the Maldives Independent on Tuesday. The Housing Development Corporation (HDC) earlier this month invited bidders to submit proposals for the construction of a 14-storey residential block comprising 322 one-bedroom apartments with 23 apartments on each […]
Police have downplayed the scale of ‘party drug’ abuse in the Maldives, dismissing rumours it is being distributed in schools and appealing against sensationalist reporting. Following the death of two young people late last month, messages about “Strawberry Quick meth” being distributed in schools started circulating through Viber groups, the common medium of messaging in […]
A former Malé city councillor on trial for obstruction and unlawful acquisition and disclosure of information has switched factions in the divided Progressive Party of Maldives. “I have withdrawn the support I gave for President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom in the political arena since 2008,” Zaidul Ameen declared on his social media accounts. “And I have […]
The prisons authority has denied attempting to coerce Ahmed Adeeb’s family into giving consent for administering an injection to the jailed former vice president, condemning “false allegations” concerning the medical treatment of inmates. The Maldives Correctional Services said in a statement Monday that inmates interact with doctors privately after consultations are arranged upon request. “This service will not […]
On a Thursday evening, fishermen from the local market push buckets of fish guts to the low-lying seawall north-west of the capital, tipping the remains into the sea. Around a dozen whiptail stingrays, lured by the easy meal, scamper to the surface of the ocean for the feast. Ming Yang Hi and his wife follow […]