A digest of news and opinion from the Maldives.
The Maldives has been downgraded to a “fragile state” by the IMF because of the tense political situation, the way business is regulated and how the country’s finances and budgets have been run in recent years. The new classification is the latest blow to the Maldivian economy from the institution, which has repeatedly spoken of […]
The sudden death of two youths in September sparked debate in the Maldives after it was revealed they had taken drugs with energy drinks. Friends who were with them at the time were charged with attempted suicide and encouraging suicide. Many were incredulous of the charges while others highlighted the lack of awareness about drug […]
The World Bank has apologised for Maldivians being asked “unintended” political questions in a financial survey about how good their president is. In a statement issued Tuesday the global institution said survey staff had been posing questions “beyond the scope” of a data gathering exercise about how people save, borrow, make payments and manage risks […]
A landmark free trade deal between the Maldives and China was rushed through parliament Wednesday, hours after President Abdulla Yameen sought approval for ratification. The free trade agreement – which commits both nations to reduce tariffs on most imported goods to zero – was passed with 30 votes from ruling party lawmakers in the 85-member […]
Two Sri Lankan fishing boats were seized by the Maldives Coast Guard Tuesday evening as they were patrolling near one of the country’s most lucrative fishing zones. The vessels were spotted near Vaavu Atoll. “The boats are under our control now and we are trying to bring them to Malé. Each boat had five crew […]
Nooshin Washeed was 14 when she first heard about murder in the Maldives: a secretary found dead in a bathroom with multiple stab wounds at the Chamber of Commerce. It was 2001. The victim was Azleena Nafees, she was 27. Nooshin recalls how shocked and scared people were over her death. It was the talk […]
Jumhooree Party Leader Gasim Ibrahim has defied a travel ban imposed by the Maldivian government and travelled to Germany for medical treatment. Gasim, sentenced to three years in absentia for attempted bribery, was released on medical furlough for cardiovascular treatment and travelled to Singapore in September. Maldives Correctional Service (MCS) refused to extend his medical […]
Government plans to develop a cafe on the Male Friday Mosque site have stalled after a backlash on social media, including criticism from a former president. The Male’ Friday Mosque, built in 1658, is on UNESCO’s Tentative World Heritage List and is described as “the most important heritage site of the country” and “one of […]
A member of the Maldives print and online media regulator has sued it for declining to investigate a silent protest staged by Raajje TV staff at this year’s journalism awards ceremony. Assad Shareef, a former actor and unsuccessful ruling party parliamentary candidate, filed the lawsuit against the Maldives Media Council at the civil court. “The issue […]