Author: Minivan News

President Waheed to present National Awards in Male’ on August 22

The National Awards Committee has finalised its list of recipients who will receive accolades at a special ceremony being held at the Dharubaaruge conference centre in Male’ on Thursday (August 22).

Of this list, three recipients will be presented with the National Award of Honour during the event, while eleven other people have been selected to receive the National Award of Recognition, according to the President’s Office website.

President Dr Mohamed Waheed will also present a further 27 individuals with the National Award for Special Achievement during Thursday’s ceremony.

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Police search 2100 expats over Hulhumale’ rape without finding suspect

The police have told local media that, despite searching 2100 expats in a special operation launched to locate and apprehend the expatriates connected with the rape of a 19 year girl in Hulhumale’, no suspect has yet been found.

The incident occurred on Saturday August 3 at about 9:30am. The man allegedly snatched the girl from the street and raped her in some bushes near Reethi Gas Magu Road.

Police told local newspaper Haveeru that expats living on Hulhumale’, Thilafushi, and Male’ have been searched and that police haven’t been able to locate the suspect.

The operation is still on going.

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41 year old man arrested for molesting 12 year old

Police have arrested a 41 year old man in connection with a case in which a 12 year old minor was sexually abused in the island of Naavaidhoo in Haa Dhaalu Atoll.

The man was arrested while he was on Neykurandhoo Island in Haa Dhaalu Atoll.

Police said the man had previous records of homosexuality, child abuse, and assault.

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Two expats arrested with 31 packets of illegal drugs

Police have arrested two expatriates who were in possession of 31 packets of illegal narcotics.

They said the two arrested were one Indian national and one Bangladesh national aged 24 and 27, respectively.

When police searched their bodies’ officers discovered stolen motorbike keys, money, two screw drivers, and medicine.

The Drug Enforcement Department is further investigating the case.

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AG’s office refiles case to block West Harbour development deal

The Attorney General’s office has today re-filed a case seeking to block the private development of Male’s West Harbour area. The original case was dismissed by the Civil Court the day before, allegedly after the prosecutor general arrived ten minutes late for a hearing.

Local media report that the Attorney General’s office was seeking a fast-tracked procedure to prevent work beginning on the US$30 million project (MVR462million). Male’ City Council announced its intentions to turn the development over to private company West Gate Assets earlier this month, with work scheduled to begin on September 1.

The project is designed to include coffee shops, cafes, petrol sheds, shopping malls, and spacious parking zones intended to resolve severe congestion in Male’ City.

Despite the council’s insistence that the deal had been approved by both the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) and the Housing Ministry, Housing Minister Mohamed Muizz told Minivan News last week that no such approval had been given by his department.

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US PISCES border system to come into use at midnight

The US granted Personal Identification Secure Comparison and Evaluation System – or PISCES – system will go live in the Maldives tonight, local media has reported.

The system, described as “a critical tool in the war on terrorism”, by its manufacturer Booz Allen will be implemented just weeks after the cancellation of the government’s deal with Malaysian IT firm Nexbis to supply a customised border control system.

While Defence Minister Mohamed Nazim was today reported as saying that PISCES is a direct replacement for Nexbis’s, the Malaysian company has argued strongly that it is not, labelling PISCES nothing more than a “terrorist tracking system”.

After years of wrangling over the deal, Nexbis was given 14 days to vacate earlier this month. Defence Minister Mohamed Nazim cited “major losses” to the state as the reason for the contract termination – an argument Nexbis has strongly refuted.

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State Trading Organisation stops rationing of oil supplies

The State Trading Organisation (STO) has ceased to ration oil supplies, following the arrival of a delayed shipment from Dubai last week, reports local media.

After the oil shipment arrived Thursday (August 15), STO resumed selling oil without any restrictions, STO Managing Director Shahid Ali told local media yesterday (August 18).

“The shipment was delayed because the vessel could not approach the loading bars. Since they are charter boats, even a delay of one day would cause problems,” said Ali.

He explained that delays in oil shipment arrivals requiring oil supplies to be controlled is not a new problem and STO has had to ration oil on several past occasions.

“In spite of the control, we supplied oil to STELCO and other important customers without any restrictions, but supply to other groups was somewhat controlled,” Ali noted.

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PPM and MDA leadership to host coalition rally in Male’ tonight

The government-aligned Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) has scheduled a “mass rally” for the artificial beach area of Male’ this evening, according to media reports.

PPM representative and Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Dhunya Maumoon was quoted by Sun Online as stating that the event would be attended by senior party members, as well as representatives from coalition partner, the Maldives Development Alliance (MDA).

The PPM announced earlier this month that it would be forming an alliance with the MDA, headed by MP and resort owner Ahmed ‘Sun Travel’ Shiyam, ahead of the presidential election scheduled for September 7 this year.

MP Shiyam is expected to be in attendance during tonight’s rally, along with PPM presidential candidate Abdulla Yameen and his running mate former Home Minister Dr Mohamed Jameel Ahmed.

Party founder and former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom – Yameen’s half brother – is also expected to attend, according to local media.

PPM MP and Spokesperson Ahmed Nihan was not responding to calls at time of press.

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Fuvahmulah airport to install lights on runway

A contract to provide lighting for Fuvahmulah airport has been awarded to a Sri Lankan company, local media reports.

The MVR4.5million project will make it possible to land planes in the southern atoll at all hours, with the airport currently the only one in the country where this is not possible.

Sun Online reports that President Dr Mohamed Waheed will travel to Fuvamulah tomorrow to inaugurate the project, which is expected to be complete in three months.

The airport, owned by the State Trading Organisation, was opened in 2011, increasing access to one of the most isolated areas of the country.

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