Category: News in Brief

A suspected drug smuggler attacked police in an attempt to escape, crashing his motorcycle into several officers, Haveeru reports.

Police claimed 22 year-old Ismail Saeed of Feydhoo Suvaasaage was attempting to smuggle drugs to Seenu atoll Feydhoo when he was stopped by Gan police. Saeed allegedly accelerated, colliding with an officer and injuring both parties.

A search discovered 14 small packets and seven foil packages containing suspicious substances, police said.

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The Electoral Commission has fined nine parties for failing to submit reports in line with 2005 political party regulations, reports Miadhu.

The People’s Party (PP) , Maldivian Social Democratic Party (MSDP), Dhivehi Rayyithunge Party (DRP), Adhalat Party (AP), National Alliance (NA), Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) and Jumhooree Party (JP) were issued fines of Rf20,000.

The  Islamic Democratic Party (IDP) and Maldivian National Congress (MNC) were fined Rf30,000.

The EC also revealed that of the fines it has previously issued, only the People’s Alliance paid on time.

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A man who was hunting for lobsters in the lagoon of Gaafu Alifu atoll Kooddoo died shortly after surfacing from a dive, Haveera reports.

Ali Shareef of Abadah Fehi surfaced from the dive and climbed aboard the boat clutching his chest and with white liquid coming out of his nose and mouth, police said.

The 41 year old was dead by the time he reached Gaafu Alifu atoll hospital, leaving behind a wife and two children.

Police claimed Shareef had not been adequately trained in diving and the boat was not equipped with proper safety equipment.

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Funds allocated to the abolished Island Development Committees (IDCs) will pass to the control of Island Councillors, Haveeru reports.

Cabinet decided to dismantle the elected IDCs after the institutions were determined to be no longer legally viable under the new constitution.

The move caused uproar among many islanders and opposition MPs, particularly the Dhivehi Qaumee Party (DQP), who called it “a mockery of the public and the Constitution,” and “more a feature of autocratic rule than democracy.”

Haveeru reported that some islands were still waiting for official confirmation of the decision from the government.

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The Poverty Alleviating Party has changed its name to the Maldivian Labour Party, according to the Elections Commission.

The party’s vice president is Ahmed Saleem, who is an independent member of parliament for Baa Eydhafushi.

Haveeru reports that several former MDP members have joined the rebranded party.

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The government will establish a Public Relations Corporation to undertake state advertising and marketing, reports Miadhu.

Cabinet member decided that centralising these activities in a single office would be more efficient.

The Public Relations Corporation will be responsible for producing a range of government publications including the government’s gazette, and will also have an event management division.

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The police medical service’s voluntary counselling and testing centre was inaugurated yesterday by Abdul Bari Abdullah, minister of state for health.

The centre was established under a project by the UN Global Fund and the centre for community health and disease control and will be open to the public for HIV testing.

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Police arrested five people in Addu Hithadhoo on Saturday with a large amount of drugs.

Hassan Ibrahim Didi, 18, Zura, S. Hithadhoo, Ibrahim Ashvadhu,22, Asramanzil, S. Hithadhoo and a 17-year-old was taken into police custody at 4.45am in the woods.

Police found 77 rubber packets with drugs and Rf2,210 in the area. Two more men, Ali Shiraj, 22, and Hassan Shaaz, 20, of Nanreethige, Hithadhoo were with 53 packets in their possession.

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Defending champions Maldives beat Afghanistan 3-1 at the ongoing SAFF Championship on Monday.

Afghanistan took the lead early in the first half, but Ahmed Thoriq restored parity for the champions, while a brace from Ali Ashfaq sealed the points.

Maldives will face India next, who have already qualified to the semis, to fight for the top berth in the group.

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