Category: News in Brief

The United Nations Development Programme has called for entries for its second annual ‘Picture This’ contest.

The theme of the competition this year is ‘We Can End Poverty’. It is open to professional and amateur photographers worldwide, and contestants may submit up to three different photographs, focusing on progress towards one of the eight UN Millenium Development Goals.

The deadline for submissions is Friday, 16 July 2010. For further information visit: http://picturethis.undp.org/

Likes(0)Dislikes(0)

A rumoured alliance between the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) and the People’s Alliance (PA) will “operate in secrecy”, daily newspaper Miadhu has reported.

The newspaper quoted a “reliable source” that both sides would deny reports on the coalition agreement, in which the PA would assist the MDP in gaining a parliamentary majority for passing bills the government considers critical.

The first of these is expected to be Majlis approval of the President’s choice of economic minister.

A public coalition agreement would likely anger hardliners in either party, and risk alienating the PA’s current coalition partner, the opposition DRP.

Head of the PA Abdulla Yameen has already announced he will seek presidency in 2013.

Likes(0)Dislikes(0)

President Mohamed Nasheed has congratulated  the new Prime Minister of the UK, David Cameron, on becoming the country’s 54th Prime Minister and its youngest in 200 years.

Nasheed said he was confident Cameron’s leadership would lead to a “golden era” of political and economic development in the UK.

Nasheed also encouraged the UK to play “a more prominent role in the global climate change.”

Likes(0)Dislikes(0)

Foreign Minister Dr Ahmed Shaheed has met his counterpart in Pakistan, Foreign Secretary Salman Bashir.

The pair discussed regional and international issues, and how the relationship between the two countries could be strengthened.

Areas of further cooperation included trade, agriculture, energy, environment, culture and tourism, Dr Shaheed reported.

Dr Shaheed was also attended a lunch hosted by Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Nawabzada Malik Amad Khan, and also met Pakistan’s Federal Minister for Commerce.

Likes(0)Dislikes(0)

The Maldives is suffering from three years of soaring crime rates,Minister of Home Affairs Mohamed Shihab said at the  inauguration ceremony of the Asia-Pacific meeting Interpol held on in Bandos Island Resort.

Crimes such as human trafficking, money laundering and drug trafficking were being committed with increasing technological sophistication, Shihab said, requesting assistance form Interpol when dealing with severe crimes.

Also speaking at the event, Chief Inspector of Police Mohamed Hameed said the Maldives needed to pay more attention to international crimes committed in the country and extend Interpol assistance to other law enforcement agencies in the country.

Likes(0)Dislikes(0)

A boat was split in half when a strong wave hit it yesterday, report Manadhoolive.

The newspaper reported that there were 16 passengers aboard when the incident happened, who were rescued by two other boats travelling in the area.

Manadhoolive reported that the boat was 90 feet long
.

Likes(0)Dislikes(0)

A Bangladeshi man was lost overboard after he fell into the sea around 10:40am this morning, police have said.

Marine police and islanders of Meemu Atoll Muli where the incident occurred are searching for the lost man. The Maldives National Defense Force (MNDF) has also been informed about the case, reported police.

Likes(0)Dislikes(0)

A new paediatrician will begin working at Indira Gandhi Memorial Hospital (IGMH) next month, the hospital has announced.

The hospital recently stopped providing outpatient services to children because of a shortage of paediatricians.

Zubair Mohamed, Managing Director of Male’ Health Services Corporation – formerly the Chief Executive Officer of IGMH – said that there were only four pediatricians remaining after much of the department had left because of poor salaries and conditions.

Likes(0)Dislikes(0)

The Juvenile Court has yesterday conducted a six hour awareness session for students from 11 schools to celebrate Children’s Day.

During the session the court gave information to the students about the court, and showed them inside the court’s chamber.

Likes(0)Dislikes(0)