Staff at the Maldives National Bureau of Classifications have declared themselves on strike over an air conditioner they claim has not worked for two months, reports Sun Online.
“We’ve been working in this heat for all this time. We stopped work today, until we find a solution,” a staff member told Sun.
The National Bureau of Classifications is responsible for classifying all artistic content produced in and imported into the Maldives.
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(0)Police have reported the discovery of the body of a 45 year-old Bangladeshi worker floating in Thilafushi harbour early on Tuesday.
Local media identified the victim as Samar Bis Saas, a cook who worked for the BMC Company.
Samar was reported to have gone fishing on a barge in Thilafushi harbour on Monday, and was reported missing at 11:00pm that evening. Police said his fishing equipment was later discovered on the barge.
(1)Dislikes(0)The Government of India has expressed its “deepest condolences” following the death of Maldivian Foreign Affairs Minister Dr Abdul Samad Abdulla.
India’s External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid, in a letter to Maldivian President Dr Mohamed Waheed, described Dr Samad as “not only a great diplomat and statesman but also a close personal friend.”
“His hard work in the service of Maldives and his high regard for India contributed immensely to furthering the bilateral relations between India and Maldives,” wrote Khurshid. “His contribution to development work during his tenure in the World Health Organisation in New Delhi is highly regarded by the people of India.”
In a statement, the Indian High Commission said Khurshid “conveyed deepest condolences to the bereaved family, colleagues and the people of Maldives on this irretrievable loss of a leader.”
(0)Dislikes(0)Police have arrested two persons in connection with a case where two men sexually abused a minor, filmed her and then leaked the video online.
According to the police the case was reported on August 20, 2013.
Police stated that the pair were both aged 27 and were arrested on 24 August while on the island of Naifaru in Lhaviyani Atoll.
Naifaru Magistrate Court has extended their detention period to 15 days.
(0)Dislikes(0)The second round of training for police’s quick response teams for handling the peace in Male’ has concluded.
The teams, who are charged with maintaining peace and stability during next month’s presidential elections, underwent special training between August 17 and 10.
Forty police officers participated in second program, the police said, after 20 completed the first section of training in June.
In what has been dubbed Operation Blue Waves, additional officers are currently being posted throughout the atolls to ensure calm during the election period.
(0)Dislikes(0)The High Court has ordered the arrest of the manager of Guraidhoo island’s (Thaa Atoll) state-owned utilities company.
Fenaka Corporation employee Ahmed Fuad was previously arrested in connection with two cases of child sex abuse but was released by Thimarafushi Magistrate Court when brought before the judges to extend his detention period.
A police media official today said that the case was appealed at the High Court after Thimarafushi Magistrate Court ordered his release.
‘’Yesterday the High Court cancelled the release order and issued an arrest warrant and extended his detention period to 15 days for investigation,’’ police media officer said.
“He was arrested at about 3:05pm yesterday,’’ the officer continued.
At the time he was arrested police told the media that the charges related to charges of molesting two minors, a male and a female aged 13 and 17.
Local media outlet Sun Online reported police as telling the paper that the two minors had testified against the accused during the hearing held to extend his detention period in Thimarafushi Magistrate Court.
Local newspaper ‘Haveeru’ reported that the victims are believed to have been in the guardianship of Fuad, who was also reported as being a senior activist in the government-aligned Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM).
(0)Dislikes(0)An elections security expert being provided by the Commonwealth to consult on strategies for maintaining law and order during next month’s presidential polls has met with Police Commissioner Abdulla Riyaz in Male’ yesterday (August 25).
Police confirmed today that the Commonwealth Secretariat has assigned Eldred de Klerk to assist with ensuring election security was in line with “international best practices”, following a request by the institution for assistance.
With voting scheduled to commence on September 7, de Klerk met commissioner Riyaz yesterday to discuss his consultancy role.
The Commonwealth announced last week that Former Prime Minister of Malta Dr Lawrence Gonzi would serve as the head of a 17 member group of election observers representing the intergovernmental organisation. The group will be arriving in the Maldives later this month.
The group, constituted by Commonwealth Secretary-General Kamalesh Sharma, is mandated to “observe and consider all aspects of the electoral process” on September 7 to ensure it is held in compliance to agreed standards for fair polling.
(0)Dislikes(0)The government has appointed Education Minister Dr Asim Ahmed as Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs following the death this week of Dr Abdul Samad Abdulla.
Dr Samad, 67, was pronounced dead yesterday (August 25) at Mount Elizabeth Hospital in Singapore, where he had been undergoing kidney dialysis.
The late foreign minister had been admitted to the hospital in critical condition on August 20 after suffering a severe heart attack. He had undergone heart bypass surgery 15 years ago.
“On behalf of the government and people of the Maldives, and on his own behalf, President Waheed extends his heartfelt condolences, at this time of national tragedy, to the family of the late Dr Abdul Samad,” read a statement from the President’s Office.
“The President recognises Dr Abdul Samad Abdulla’s sincere services to the government and the people of Maldives, especially as the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Maldives, in strengthening diplomatic relations with other countries,” the statement added.
Dr Samad has served in numerous roles for both the Maldives Health Ministry and the World Health Organisation (WHO).
(0)Dislikes(0)The government has decided to offer a new special scholarship under the name of late Foreign Minister Dr Abdul Samad Abdulla.
Dr Samad passed away this Sunday while undergoing treatment after kidney dialysis at Mount Elizabeth Hospital in Singapore. The 67 year-old died during treatment at 1:05am Male’ time on Sunday morning, according to the Foreign Ministry.
Dr Samad was first admitted to intensive care on August 20 in a critical condition after suffering a severe heart attack. The 67 year-old had undergone heart bypass surgery 15 years ago.
In a cabinet meeting held on today (25 August), the government decided to hold a special ceremony in appreciation of Dr Samad’s services to the country. Funeral prayers were conducted in every mosque in the country today after Asr Prayers.
Cabinet members noted that Dr Samad was a very honest courageous person and had proven his capacity as the Foreign Minister who had faced the toughest time while in office.
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