A digest of news and opinion from the Maldives.
The main opposition MDP is under fire for continuing with a campaign rally after a supporter died while on his way to the event. Ibrahim Nahid was among 40 men from Faafu Bilehdhoo who decided to swim the three miles to Faafu Magoodhoo for the Friday night rally. He told the group he was feeling […]
The education ministry violated public finance rules by illegally spending nearly MVR900,000 (US$58,365) and failing to collect MVR8 million owed as loan repayments, according to the ministry’s audit report for 2015. Auditors found that MVR894,414 was spent as payment for services and items purchased for schools without a public announcement as required by the public […]
The Maldivian government, political parties and opposition leaders have strongly condemned US President Donald Trump’s decision to recognise Jerusalem as the capital of Israel. In a statement Wednesday, the government called the move “a flagrant disregard of international law which could have dire consequences not only for the Middle East peace process and to the […]
South Asian neighbours are “jealous” of the progress the Maldives is making through its partnership with China, MP Riyaz Rasheed said at a ruling party rally Tuesday night. “There are neighbours of ours who are jealous of the progress and development that could come to this nation because we joined China,” the deputy parliamentary group […]
Jumhooree Party leader Gasim Ibrahim’s Villa Group conglomerate is laying off staff due to financial constraints, Mihaaru has reported. “We’re reducing staff from various places. But we assure that no common employee will be dismissed from any resort operated by Villa. Even if we dismiss some senior staff, we won’t fire any staff like room […]
Former president Mohamed Nasheed (L) poses for picture with Sri Lankan prime minister Ranil Wickremesinghe. PHOTO/MOHAMED NASHEED TWITTER Former president Mohamed Nasheed on Wednesday met with the prime minister of Sri Lanka, Ranil Wickremesinghe. Nasheed revealed in a cryptic tweet that he had “discussed the need for inclusive, free and fair elections” in the Maldives […]
A well-being poll of Maldivians could give the first indication of how people might vote in presidential elections next year. A thousand people are being surveyed as part of the Gallup World Poll, which includes the Maldives for the first time, and covers a number of topics such as corruption, governance, job quality and citizen […]
President Abdulla Yameen (C), economic minister Mohamed Saeed (L) and MACL’s managing director Adil Moosa at the ceremony to kick off development of VIA’s new runway. PHOTO: NISHAN ALI/MIHAARU Economic minister Mohamed Saeed on Monday defended the impending free trade pact between the Maldives and China, giving a heated rejoinder to opposition criticism. Members of […]
President Abdulla Yameen is to make his first state visit to China, days after rushing through a massive trade deal with the world’s second biggest economy. A brief notice issued Monday said the trip, which takes place from December 6 until December 9, was at the invitation of President Xi Jinping. “High-level discussions with top […]