Minivan News – Page 523 – Minivan News

GMR’s airport segment grows with Male’ Airport acquisition

The airport segment of Indian infrastructure giant GMR has grown become a significant contributor to the company’s revenue, reports financial news website India Infoline, with both the Delhi and Hyderabad airports witnessing stable growth in passenger and cargo volumes.

The company’s airport segment accounts for 40 percent of the firm’s total revenue. With the Male’ airport operations already profitable and with high passenger revenue of $US50 per passenger (compared with US$12 and US$17 per passenger at Delhi and Hyderabad airports), the existing revenue is expected to account for a third of the company’s airport operations.

Male’ International Airport generated US$135 million in revenue last year, Infoline reported, with an operating profit of US$30 million. Being an exotic tourist destination, “air traffic in Male is expected to be steady”, the site added.

GMR has taken debt of US$358 million to complete US$511 million deal to construct a new terminal, and will charge an extra US$25 per passenger, the site reported.

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Two Maldivians arrested in Trivandrum for drug smuggling

A pair of Maldivians have been arrested in Trivandrum Airport for allegedly trying to traffic drugs to the Maldives.

Haveeru reported that 24 year-old Mohamed Waheed Adam and a 14 year-old were arrested on Sunday.

The newspaper reported that the two Maldivians attempted to boarded a flight at 12:30pm flight on Sunday were being held in the airport after illegal drugs were allegedly found in the child’s baggage. The Malayalam newspaper also reported that hash oil was found hidden in the child’s trousers.

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Maldivian and US servicewomen talk defense challenges

Servicewomen from the US Navy and the Maldives National Defense Force (MNDF) last week got together to discuss their respective roles, Miadhu has reported.

Female sailors serving on the Naval vessel, the USS Momson, met with counterparts from across the Maldives’ police, border security and defense forces to share experiences on the individual challenges they have faced in their careers, the paper said.

According to the report, the US representatives also discussed their feelings on serving away from home all over the globe.

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Government set to limit coolant gas emissions: report

Limitations on imports of hydro-chlorofluorcarbons (HCFC), gases used in certain manufacturing and refrigeration processes, have been set at 67 metric tonnes for 2011 by the Ministry of Housing and Environment as part of the country’s environmental commitments, according to press reports.

Miadhu reported that the Environment Ministry has publically announced the annual restrictions as part of a new permit system designed to be awarded exclusively to a selected number of parties due to be decided during an upcoming bidding process.

As part of the government’s commitment to trying to become carbon neutral by 2020 and wider global eco-policies such as part of the so-called Montreal Protocol, which targets a reduction in substances linked to reducing the Ozone Layer, use of HCFCs in the Maldives is set to be phased out.

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MDP puts forward 1024 candidates for local council elections

The Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) will present 1024 candidates for the local council elections in February, the party has announced following a National Assembly meeting at its headquarters yesterday.

The ruling party will field 769 candidates for island councils, 138 for atoll councils, 11 for Male city council and six for Addu city council.

“We are facing difficulties in finalising the ticket in a very few islands,” a party official reportedly told newspaper Haveeru. “That is because of the high number of candidates and some people withdrawing their names.”

The election is scheduled for February 5, 2011.

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Abandoned infant girl found in Hulhumale

A newborn baby was found abandoned near the Wataniya telecommunications tower in Hulhumale’ on Thursday afternoon.

According to police, the baby girl was taken to Indira Gandhi Memorial Hospital (IGMH) and her condition has since improved.

The umbilical cord had reportedly not been severed when she was discovered by members of the public.

Police urge anyone with information about the girl to contact either 119 or the duty officer at 9888999.

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Child Protection Database launched

The Maldives Child Protection Database (MCPD) was launched by Vice President Dr Mohamed Waheed at a special function on Thursday morning.

Established with assistance from UNICEF and the UN Children’s Fund in collaboration with the Maldives Police Service, Ministry of Health and Family, Ministry of Education and the Juvenile Justice Unit, the national database is designed to record details of reporting and followup on cases of child abuse, delinquency and gender based violence.

In his remarks, Dr Waheed said that the database would make accurate information on the incidence of child abuse and neglect more readily available, enabling better coordination among concerned agencies to expedite investigations.

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Parliament rejects first amendment to constitution

A bill to amend the constitution proposed by Independent MP Ahmed Amir to extend the term of local councils from three years to five was rejected at yesterday’s sitting of parliament.

The first amendment proposed to the constitution did not win the required three quarters majority – 58 votes – to pass.

Of the 55 MPs who participated in the vote, 40 voted in favour and 15 against while two abstained. Three other MPs in attendance did not participate in the vote.

Historic local council elections, which will replace the centuries-old system of island and atoll chiefs appointed by the central government with elected councils, are due to place on February 5, 2011.

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