A dhoni (traditional boat) carrying gravel from Kulhudufushi in Haa Dhaal Atoll capsized en route to Makunudhoo around 3.45pm today, reports local daily Haveeru.
The Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) confirmed the accident. According to the newspaper, the boat was from Neykurendhoo and three crewmembers were onboard at the time.
All three survived unharmed and were reportedly travelling in a dinghy.
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(0)The Maldives Inland Revenue Authority (MIRA) collected a total of Rf298 million (US$19 million) in taxes, rent and fees for October.
With Rf66 million and Rf58 million respectively, tourism goods and services tax (T-GST) and tourism tax accounted for the largest revenue sources.
A total of Rf61 million was received as tourism lease rent or land rent while US$15 million was collected in dollar receipts.
(0)Dislikes(0)A 21 year-old was killed in a motorcycle accident in the link road of Addu City after midnight on Wednesday night.
According to islanders of Hithadhoo, Hussein Adham of Bluege in the island, collided with another motorbike as he turned in a bend off the link road. The victim sustained serious head injuries after his helmet was smashed.
A girl riding with Adham as well as the two men on the other motorbike was also severely injured.
(0)Dislikes(0)The four-year long competition to name the seven wonders of the natural world has run into controversy after governments accused the organisers of asking for millions of dollars in marketing costs, reports the UK’s Guardian newspaper.
The New7Wonders of Nature poll, its organisers claim, has attracted millions of voters choosing the final seven from a shortlist of 28 natural landscapes which include the Great Barrier Reef, the Amazonian rainforest and the Maldives.
After initially paying a registration fee of $199 (£125) to enter, each country was then asked to take part in a high-profile global marketing campaign that included a world tour.
In May, the Maldives government moved to withdraw from the competition after receiving a “surprise” demand for half a million dollars. They were followed in August by the Indonesian government, representing Komodo Island national park, who said the organisers wanted $10m dollars in licensing fees and $47m dollars to host the closing ceremony.
(0)Dislikes(0)Former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom has said he is pleased the SAARC Summit is being held for the third time in the Maldives, and noted that the events have improved relationships between member countries.
Haveeru reported that Gayoom was a founder of the eight-member regional organisation.
SAARC members have reached important agreements including the Social Charter, the Dhaka Declaration on Climate Change, and the SAARC Convention on Combating the Crime of Trafficking in Women and Children for Prostitution and SAFTA.
Gayoom observed that poverty alleviation, socio-economic development and climate change are pressing challenges for the region, along with maintaining standards of democracy and human rights, reported Haveeru.
“I am confident that the 17th SAARC Summit will be a great success, and that our Heads of State or Government will address these issues with vigour, courage and foresight in order that our peoples can achieve further progress, peace and prosperity,” the former President said.
(0)Dislikes(0)Four Seasons Resorts Maldives will soon hold preliminary information sessions and application interviews for its 2013 Hospitality Apprenticeship Class. The program is open to Maldivians ages 17 – 20 with O-level certifications and English fluency; up to 50 applicants will be accepted.
The program, one of the highest-ranked of its kind in the Indian Ocean, offers a year’s vocational training in food and beverage service, maritime transport, housekeeping and guest services, PADI divemaster or water sports attendance.
Apprentices live and work in Four Seasons Resorts Maldives, attending theory classes and training sessions five days a week. Reviews are held regularly.
Tourism is the Maldives leading industry and contributor of foreign currency. A quarter of the Maldives population (300,000) is between ages 15 – 24. In the country’s atolls, half of women and a quarter of men are unemployed.
Information Sessions and Application Interviews will take place at Dhuvaafaru, Raa on 3 December 2011; Fuamulah on 9 December; Addu on 10 December; Male on 10 & 11 December; Naifaru/Hinnavaru, Lhaviyani on 16 December; Velidhoo, Noon on 17 December and Baa Atoll on 13 & 14 January 2012. If unable to attend a session, those interested may submit an application no later than 15 February 2012.
(0)Dislikes(0)Heads of State from SAARC countries have begun arriving in the Maldives.
Prime Minister of Bhutan Jigme Thinley arrived early this morning, followed by President of Sri Lanka Mahinda Rajapaksa and First Lady Shiranthi Rajapaksa, and Prime Minister of Nepal Baburam Bhattarai.
The leaders of Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan are due to arrive this afternoon, ahead of the opening ceremony tomorrow.
Roads around Addu Atoll have been closed during the arrival of the Heads of State, and boat traffic in the atoll halted by the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) coastguard.
(0)Dislikes(0)China established a full diplomatic mission to the Maldives yesterday with the opening of its embassy in the capital Male’.
“They (the Chinese) wanted to open the embassy before the [SAARC] summit,” Foreign Minister Ahmed Naseem told AFP.
“Indian officials have expressed fears that this is part of a Chinese policy to throw a ‘string of pearls’ – or a circle of influence – around India,” the AFP reported.
(0)Dislikes(0)Foreign ministers of SAARC nations have arrived in Addu City for the 34th working session of the SAARC Council of Ministers on Wednesday.
Foreign ministers of all eight SAARC countries, with the exception of the Indian and Bangladeshi ministers who are set to arrive tomorrow afternoon, are due to arrive in Gan this evening.
According to the official SAARC website, the foreign minister’s meeting will focus on establishing common positions on issues ranging from communications, transport, climate change and good governance before the main summit with heads of state and government on November 10-11.
A new report on the Rights of the Child by UNICEF Regional Director Daniel Toole will also be launched at Wednesday’s meeting, which will conclude in the afternoon with a press briefing by the Chairperson of the Council of Ministers.
“Addu City is in the final stages of preparations for the SAARC Summit, which will be officially inaugurated at a ceremony on Thursday afternoon. A new VIP terminal has been constructed at Gan International Airport along with a VIP harbor for visiting dignitaries. Dhoogas in Gan has been converted into a 50 bed hotel complex, renamed Gan Island Resort. A State Banquet Hall has been built in Hulhumeedhoo and the Addu link road has been resurfaced,” reads a news update on the official website.
“Neighboring Fuvahmulah, which plays host to the SAARC leaders’ spouse programme, has seen a brand new airport built for the occasion, as well as a cultural village showcasing the Maldives’ rich history.
Addu City and Fuvahmulah are expected to receive over 5,000 visitors for the SAARC Summit.”
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