Category: News in Brief

Candidates to submit names for DRP elections by 31 January

Candidates who wish to run in the Dhivehi Rayithunge Party (DRP) elections must submit their names by 31 January, reports Miadhu.

The party’s congress will decide the leader of the DRP and the party’s candidate for the 2013 presidential elections.

There are rumours that many party members would elect Maumoon Abdul Gayoom as the leader.

Although Maumoon has shown favour for Thasmeen to be elected as the next leader, Miadhu suggests that Maumoon and Thasmeen may run for president and vice president in 2013.

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President talks energy with ruler of Dubai

President Mohamed Nasheed yesterday met Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, who is also the UAE’s vice president.

During this meeting the pair mostly discussed climate change, energy and tourism.

Sheikh Mohammed praised the role Maldives’ played in addressing climate change, and expressed desire to continue and reinforce the existing relationship between Maldives and the UAE.

Nasheed said the energy summit in Abu Dhabi would highlight the importance of alternative energy sources to combat climate change, and added for the the Maldives to fulfil its pledge of becoming a carbon neutral country, collecting the equipment was vital.

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30 packets of drugs found on five men

Police have arrested five men in Thaa Vaamendoo after finding them in possession of 30 packets of suspected narcotics, along with cash.

The five men arrested were Abdulla Azeezz Moosa, 20, Ibrahim Rahaa 27, Hussain Alifhulhu, 22, Hassan Alifulhu, 24, and a minor who was under 18.

The Vaamendhoo police and drug enforcement department are investigating the case.

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Democracy House NGO inaugrated

A  non-partisan organisation called ‘Democracy House’ was inaugurated last night at the social centre, with the objective of “working to ensure that all Maldivian citizens enjoy the rights provided to them in the Maldivian constitution”.

Speaking at the inauguration ceremony, chief guest Mohamed Waheed-Deen claimed bringing democracy to a country “is nothing difficult.”

“Finally democracy has come to the Maldives. But to keep it going this way will be the real challenge,” he said.

Many people did “not understand” democracy and making them more aware was the “most important thing”, he added.

“We see one political party fighting with the other and saying: ‘this is democracy’. We want to make people aware of real democracy,” he said.

Waheed said many of people in the Maldives have had their rights abused, “and the pain of it will remain for a long period of time.”

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Fight between coworkers ends with man hit by log

A man was hit with a log during a fight between a group of expatriate workers on the island of Kela in Haa Dhaalu atoll early this morning.

Police said a squad was sent to investigate a disturbance caused by four Bangladeshi men, who were working together.

Three of the men were arrested, while the injured man was taken to the local health centre for medical treatment.

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President to address World Future Energy Summit in Abu Dhabi

President Mohamed Nasheed will shortly visit Abu Dhabi to address the World Future Energy Summit, a gathering of industry leaders, investors, scientists, specialists, policymakers and researchers.

The summit delegates will discuss the challenges of rising energy demand and possible actions to achieve a cleaner and more sustainable future for the world.

During his visit to Abu Dhabi, Nasheed will also meet the President of Greece, the Malaysian Prime Minister and the President of the United Arab Emirates.

After the event he will visit Mumbai to speak at the Global Economic Summit on Trade and Investment, and Chennai where he will chair an investment event focused on the Maldives.

The president will also visit Bahrain to meet with senior government officials and businesses.

At a press conference before his departure, Nasheed said he hoped the visits would open more opportunities for investment and assistance for the Maldives.

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Crane collapses on house

A crane working on the construction of Machangoalhi Cocoage in Male collapsed yesterday evening.

The accident happened yesterday evening around 5:08 pm, when the crane fell onto neighbouring the neighbouring building, Machangoalhi Faransaage.

With the assistance of two more cranes, the collapsed crane was lifted at around 12:28 am. MNDF fire and rescue worked with the police and several construction companies to carry out the salvage operation.

Faransaage sustained some damage and the residents have now been moved into a guesthouse.

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Anchor pierces man

A man has been seriously injured while attempting to moore and anchor a fishing vessel.

Haaroon Ibrahim of Faafu Dharaboodhoo, Banafsaage was injured while he was trying to anchor the vessel ‘Rahmathulla’ in the Baa Goidhoo lagoon around 6:00 pm last night.

According to police the 55 year-old became tangled in the rope of the vessel’s second anchor and which pierced him in the left side of his body.

Police have not yet released any more information on his condition.

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