Author: Minivan News

Brother of Vice Presidential candidate Ahmed Thasmeen Ali arrested while under the influence

The brother of President Mohamed Waheed Hassan Manik’s running mate Ahmed Thasmeen Ali, Mohamed Adil, was arrested yesterday while under the influence, reports local media.

Adil, also a director at One & Only Reethi Rah Resort, was arrested at Ibrahim Nasir National Airport upon his arrival from overseas, according to CNM. He was arrested “after his behavior gave away that he was high”.

Police told local media they “arrested a 37-year-old Maldivian from the airport VIP lounge who was intoxicated” at approximately 4:30pm Tuesday (July 23).

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Environment Minister announces airport seawater cooling plans

Environment Minister Dr Mariyam Shakeela has announced plans to develop a cooling system at Ibrahim Nasir International Airport (INIA) that will make use of seawater to reduce reliance on fossil fuels at the site, according to local media.

“We can try to create energy with seawater and use it to cool places. We are looking to cool the entire airport using water taken from around 1,000 metres below the surface of the sea in the near future,” she was quoted as saying by local newspaper Haveeru during a ceremony held yesterday (July 23).

Speaking at the event, Dr Shakeela reportedly highlighted the importance of enhancing the use of renewable energy in the Maldives, while also identifying a lack of “positive response” from state institutions in curbing use of fossil fuels or adopting alternative technologies like solar and wind energy.

The announcement was made after participants in attendance at the Maldives International Renewable Energy Investors Conference last month claimed political instability was presently a major concern hampering foreign investment in the sector.

The two day event, which concluded on June 17, aimed to facilitate long-term partnerships between international investors, project developers, energy companies and utilities groups in order to enable successful renewable energy projects throughout the Maldives.

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Cathay Pacific Airways to commence Maldives to Hong Kong service from October

Cathay Pacific Airways has announced it will begin operating services between the Maldives and Hong Kong from October this year.

In a statement issued today, the airline said flight services to and from the Maldives on its Airbus A330-300 aircraft were expected to begin from October 27, 2013 – pending government approval.

The company claimed that the launch would extent its services within the Indian subcontinent, while boosting leisure travel between the Maldives and the Far East – a growing tourism market in recent years.

From the service’s launch, Cathay Pacific Airways has said flights will be operating between Ibrahim Nasir International Airport (INIA) in Male’ and Hong Kong every Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday.

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Abdulla Yameen would consider second round election alliance with MP Gasim

Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) presidential candidate Abdulla Yameen has said he would consider siding with Jumhoree Party (JP) rival MP Gasim Ibrahim if unable to secure a first round victory in September’s election.

Yameen told state media yesterday (July 23) that he held no animosity towards JP presidential candidate MP Gasim, and would align with his rival if no candidate could secure 51 percent of the first round vote – resulting in a run-off election.

The JP is a coalition partner of the PPM in the current government of President Dr Mohamed Waheed.

Yameen also used his appearance on state media to discuss his party’s other key pledges for the upcoming election; focusing on issues of civic education and creating young entrepreneurs and fishermen, according to local newspaper Haveeru.

The PPM presidential candidate said he had also changed his mind on the death penalty, believing it should be given to prevent the “slaying of Maldivians”, local media reported.

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JSC votes not to accept resignations of sex tape probe members

The Judicial Services Commission (JSC) has reportedly refused to accept the recommendations of two members of the subcommittee investigating the leaked sex tapes of Supreme Court Judge Ali Hameed.

According to local media, the JSC refused to accept the resignation of the watchdog body’s deputy president Abdulla Didi and presidential representative Latheefa Gasim.

Their resignations followed the JSC voting to disregard the subcommittee’s recommendation to suspend the judge pending investigation.

According to local media, the commission voted not to accept the resignations. Media officer Hassan Zaheen told Haveeru the two members would resume their duties following the vote.

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Kaadedhoo airport suspends operations during repairs to firetruck

Flights to Kaadedhoo airport in Gaaf Dhaal Atoll have been temporarily suspended during repairs to the airport’s fire truck, local media has reported.

The Transport Ministry told Haveeru that the Maldives Airport Company Limited (MACL) and airport technicians were working to repair the truck and bring in a temporary replacement.

Airports cannot be operated without a functioning firetruck, the ministry stated.

Flights have meanwhile been diverted to Kooddoo airport.

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Elections Commission approves all four presidential candidates

The Elections Commission has approved applications for candidacy in the upcoming presidential elections submitted by incumbent President Mohamed Waheed, Jumhoree Party (JP) leader Gasim Ibrahim, Progressive Party of the Maldives (PPM) candidate Abdulla Yameen.

Former President Mohamed Nasheed’s candidacy was accepted last week.

All four major candidates expected to contest the election have now had their candidacy confirmed.

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British parliamentarians visit Maldives, “disappointed” over not meeting president

Six British Parliamentarians visited Maldives on Sunday 21 July as part of a Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) delegation, according to a statement from the British High Commission in Colombo, Sri Lanka.

“The cross-party group, made up of four MPs and two Members of the House of Lords, had meetings with the Speaker of Parliament, the Chief Justice and the Minister for Human Rights, Gender Equality and Family. They discussed the importance of the upcoming Presidential and Parliamentary elections, the need for on-going judicial reform and also raised concerns over recent cases of flogging,” the statement read.

The delegation also heard about the challenges faced by Maldives in making its transition to a multi-party democracy and offered British CPA support for helping to develop key democratic institutions,” it added.

According to the statement, the parliamentarians were “disappointed” not to have the chance to meet with President Mohamed Waheed during their visit.

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Chinese woman dies in resort swimming pool

A 50 year-old Chinese woman has died in a resort swimming pool, according to local media.

The women died on Saturday afternoon while in the deep end of the guest pool at the Robinson Club Maldives resort on Funamadua in Gaafu Alif Atoll, reported Sun Online.

Other guests in the area failed to notice the woman was in trouble until it was too late, according to Sun.

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