A digest of news and opinion from the Maldives.
Five people have been charged over the sudden death of two young people earlier this year. Ahmed Haameen, a 22-year-old from the island of Thimarafushi in Thaa atoll, and 18-year-old Fathmath Sama, from the capital Malé, died at Hulhumalé beach after renting a guesthouse room for a birthday party on September 28. Initial reports suggested […]
Environmental impact assessments have been approved for two airports without the reports being published or opened for comments, an NGO has claimed. Save Maldives raised concerns about the projects in Maafaru and Funadhoo on Sunday, saying the Environmental Protection Agency had yet to make its findings public. The EPA was unavailable for comment at the […]
Attempts to invite foreign influence into civil matters damage the country’s interests, President Abdulla Yameen said Tuesday, as he criticised the main opposition Maldivian Democratic Party. Yameen was speaking in Thulhaadhoo island, Baa atoll, as the last destination of an eight-island tour that kicked off Sunday. “Haven’t we seen the foreign minister of the MDP […]
President Abdulla Yameen has criticized diplomats for speaking about foreign policy issues in the islands, after authorities banned councils from meeting envoys without prior written permission. He said foreign policy should be discussed with the government but denied accusations his administration did not not respect diplomats, saying there were rules they needed to adhere to. […]
India is the Maldives closest ally and friend, President Abdulla Yameen said Sunday, appealing for restraint towards its regional neighbour. The president, who is island hopping around the north inaugurating projects, made the remarks days after a hostile editorial was removed from a pro-government website. The Vaguthu article had blasted India, saying it was not […]
An international airport in the Northern Noonu atoll Maafaru is a “gift” from the United Arab Emirates, President Yameen said Sunday. A contract to build the airport has not yet been awarded as bids are still being evaluated, work has not started and the project was announced almost a decade ago. “The airport is a […]
The Four Seasons Kuda Huraa resort in Malé atoll on Saturday removed sphinx statues lined up along its arrival pier after complaints to the police. The offending “idols” were removed before officers arrived on the island, a police spokesman told local media. The resort is celebrating Christmas and New Year with an Egyptian theme and an Indiana Jones-inspired […]
President Abdulla Yameen cut ribbons for new harbours on three northern islands Sunday at the start of a tour of the Noonu, Lhaviyani and Baa atolls. On Noonu Maalhendhoo, Yameen opened a new mosque donated by Saudi Arabia and a harbour built with assistance from the Islamic Development Bank. He went on to attend a groundbreaking ceremony […]
Britain’s ambassador to the Maldives has said he is worried about the erosion of freedoms in the Indian Ocean archipelago. James Dauris, in a carefully worded New Year message, said he had become fond of the country since taking up his appointment. He highlighted the successful collaboration between the two nations on education, women’s issues […]