A cargo airplane that landed at Male’ International Airport slid off the runway, breaking a wheel and two runway lights, reports SunFM.
The radio station reported that strong wind caused of the incident and that nobody was injured.
According to SunFM the cargo flight from Sri Lanka was warned by the airport tower that the wind was strong across the runway and potentially dangerous..
The Civil Aviation Department is now investigating the case.
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(0)A boat carrying cargo worth Rf2 million (US$155,600) from Male’ to Kulhudhuffushi in Haa Dhaal atoll sank this morning after hitting a shallow region in the lagoon.
Haveeru reported that the 99-foot vessel ‘Bahaadhur’ sank around 7:15am with 101 passengers, approximately 10 feet from the Kulhudhuffushi jetty.
The boat’s owner Mithur Mohamed Zuhair told the newspaper that he expected to save 10 percent of the cargo, which included washing machines, cement, food and electronic appliances. 70 percent was his own, Mithur told Haveeru, adding that the vessel was uninsured.
“I cannot believe that the incident occurred because of negligence. Although the sea was rough, it was not that rough at the time. The problem is the island’s channel through reef,” Mithur told Haveeru.
No injuries were reported.
(0)Dislikes(0)A delegation of the International Commission of Jurists (ICJ) who arrived in the Maldives last week to discuss a long-term engagement to strengthen the country’s judiciary completed its fact-finding mission last week.
According to a press statement by the ICJ, the objective of the mission was “to assess progress towards the establishment of an independent, impartial, and competent judiciary, and to make recommendations.”
Briefing the press on its preliminary observations, the delegation, led by Dr Param Cumaraswamy and Dr Leandro Despouy, both former UN Special Rapporteurs, urged collaboration by all political parties and authorities to support the consolidation of an independent judiciary.
“Recognition is owed to members of both the current and former Governments for the peaceful transfer of power. No political actors are in exile. All those with whom I met in 2007 are today participating through democratic institutions in the task of consolidating these achievements,” Dr. Despouy said. “An independent judiciary is basic pillar of this transition to democracy, without which there is a risk of reversals.”
The delegation noted that one of the most serious challenges faced by the judiciary was the absence of important legislation such as the Judicature Bill, the Penal Code, a Criminal Procedure Code, and the Evidence Bill.
(0)Dislikes(0)Public referendums are due to take place in 68 islands to determine administrative units or inhabited islands prior to the upcoming local council elections.
The government has proposed creating one island council for islands separated by four nautical miles by joining them to form one administrative constituency.
Following official talks with the opposition Dhivehi Rayyithunge Party (DRP) last week, both sides agreed to hold referendums before October 9 and propose amendments to the Decentralisation Act before October 10 as well as to announce constituencies on October 17 and hold elections before December 31.
(0)Dislikes(0)Clashes between police and protesters left three injured in a protest in Fuvahmulah against leasing a plot of land to MVK, reports Haveeru.
Islanders gathered in the Dhoodhigamu ward on Wednesday after learning of the island office’s plans to lease a 33,000 square feet plot to MVK, the company awarded the contract to establish a transport network in the South Province.
The government’s decision to lease Dhoogas guesthouse in Addu atoll to MVK as part of the transport contract also met with opposition and allegations of improper dealings as the company was a campaign donor for the ruling Maldivian Democratic Party.
(0)Dislikes(0)The Department of Immigration has issued a warning against employing illegal expatriate workers, threatening legal action against violations.
In a press statement last week, the department warned that action will be taken against those who provide or receive services from migrant workers without a valid work visa.
Furthermore, employers who fail to secure work visas within 15 days of the migrant worker’s arrival or pay visa fees within three months will be blacklisted and unable to pay deposit fees for any additional workers.
(0)Dislikes(0)President Mohamed Nasheed conferred the title of ‘State Dignitary’ upon Mohamed Umar Manik and Champa Hussein Afeef at a ceremony this morning, making it the first time the title was conferred in recognition of contributions by individuals outside the government.
Speaking at the ceremony at the President’s Office, President Nasheed explained that ‘state’ was an expansive concept under the new constitution and it was important to recognise services of individuals.
Both men made immense contribution to the development of Maldives, he added, especially in the tourism sector.
Speaking to press after the event, Manik and Afeef thanked the government for the recognition and “appreciation” of their efforts.
(0)Dislikes(0)MP for Kaashidhoo Ismail Abdul Hameed appeared in court today facing charges of corruption and abuse of authority while he was director of the Male’ municipality.
Elected as an independent, Hameed signed for the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) last year but left the ruling party shortly after.
According to Haveeru, Hameed’s lawyer questioned whether the case was officially sent to the Prosecutor General’s (PG’s) office by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), arguing that the letter requesting prosecution was signed only by former ACC President Ali Rasheed Umar.
Deputy PG Mahmoud Saleem replied that the normal procedure was for the chair of the commission to sign official correspondence.
Today’s hearing was adjourned after the judge asked the prosecution to submit documents from the ACC at the next hearing.
(0)Dislikes(0)Civil court has dismissed three lawsuits against Dhivehi Rayyithunge Party (DRP) leader Ahmed Thasmeen Ali filed by three directors of the company Victorious Travels and Tours claiming compensation for the sale of Shaviyani Kabaalifaru resort.
The judge ruled that there were no legal grounds to hear the case in the absence of a legally binding agreement between the claimants and Thasmeen, reports Haveeru.
The three directors of the company claim that the resort was sold to Thasmeen by the fourth director, Ali Shareef, M. Anavilla, on the condition that proceeds from the sale would be handed over to the company.
While a portion of the amount had been paid, the claimants sought damages for the unpaid amount.
The 200-bed Kabaalifaru resort was awarded in 2006 for a rent of U$13.8 million over 10 years.
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