Category: News in Brief

Construction stalls on new Arabiyya School building

The Education Ministry has cancelled a Rf29 million (US$1.8 million) contract with Mala Horizon for construction of the new Arabiya School building in Male’.

The private construction company had ceased work on the site claiming financial losses resulting from the government’s decision to float the exchange rate.

Deputy Minister Dr Ahmed Nazeer told local media this week that the government could not accept the changes to the contract proposed by Mala Horizons, which would have involved compensating the company for losses incurred for importing material.

The government has now opened a second bidding process and invited interested parties to apply for the project.

Dr Nazeer meanwhile said today that the education ministry hoped construction of the school could be complete by the middle of next year’s first term.

The old Arabiyya School was shut down by the ministry in March, 2010 after cracks in the building caused a wall to collapse.

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National service medals conferred to 14 individuals

National Exemplary Service medals and National Service Medals were conferred upon 14 individuals by President Mohamed Nasheed yesterday at a special ceremony to mark the country’s 46th Independence Day.

Among eight individuals awarded the National Exemplary Service [Insignia of the Honourable Nishan Izzudheen] were Special Envoy of the President Ibrahim Hussain Zaki, “Karankaa” Ibrahim Rasheed, Abdul Sattar Moosa Didi, Moomina Haleem, Mohamed Zuhair,  Naseema Mohamed, Mohamed Nooradheen and Mohamed Zahir Naseer.

The National Service Medals were meanwhile conferred to Dr. Abdulla Abdul Hakeem, Habeeba Hussain Habeeb, Ahmed Shafeeq, Maroshi Hussain Kaleyfaanu, Mohamed Umar Manik and “Sikkage” Mohamed Naseem.

Speaking on behalf of the recipients at the ceremony, Ibrahim Rasheed made note of the traditional decorations reminiscent of the ceremonies of kings and observed that “the Republic of the Maldives will never go back to a Sultanate again.”

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Traffic police officer foils mugging attempt

A traffic police officer foiled a mugging attempt yesterday when he came across the muggers threatening to rob a man at knife point.

According to police, the unarmed traffic officer confronted the muggers while they had a knife to the victim’s throat. The incident occurred in the morning in an alley near Sultan Park.

The muggers fled on their motorbike but the traffic officer gave chase on his vehicle and hit them from behind. The muggers escaped but left their motorbike behind.

The traffic officer was meanwhile commended by Commissioner Ahmed Faseeh and other senior officers for his bravery.

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Official SAARC summit website launched

The official website of the upcoming 17th SAARC (South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation) summit was launched this week by Special Envoy of the President Ibrahim Hussein Zaki.

Speaking at the launching ceremony at the Foreign Ministry, Zaki, who was the first Maldivian secretary-general of SAARC, said that the website would be an important tool for free flow of information from organisers to delegates and participants.

As well as in-depth information about the summit, the website features information about Addu City and interactive services for delegates and the media.

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Two “narco-terrorist” suspects arrested in Maldives

Two men accused of “narco-terrorism” conspiracies to support Hezbollah and the Taliban were arrested in the Maldives by “the long arm of US law enforcement”, reports AFP.

The two suspects along with another two arrested in Bucharest were being brought before a federal judge in New York, according to a statement by US Attorney Preet Bharara.

“According to the indictment undercover US narcotics agents pretending to represent Hezbollah agreed to purchase hundreds of kilograms of heroin,” AFP reports.

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Ministers’ cars spray painted

State-owned cars of several cabinet ministers were spray painted by unknown vandalists yesterday.

According to MNBC One, the drivers said that the attacks took place in the morning when they went to pick up the ministers for yesterday’s Independence Day ceremony at Dharubaaruge (convention centre).

Spray was painted over number plates while scrawls were made over the car’s body. Police are reportedly investigating the incident but have not arrested any suspects so far.

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Maldives ranks second in South Asia in ‘ease of business’ index

Maldives is the second easiest country in which to do business in South Asia, according to the World Bank’s ‘Ease of Doing Business’ index for 2011, and 85th worldwide, an increase of 11 places.

The Maldives ranked poorly for getting credit (152), trading across borders (138), registering of property (147) and closing a business (125). It came middle of the field for protecting investors (74) and enforcing contracts (92). Without any corporate tax structure the country came first, although such bills are currently before the parliament.

Globally, Singapore came first followed by Hong Kong and New Zealand.

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President hosts reception to mark Independence Day

President Mohamed Nasheed and First Lady Madam Laila Ali hosted an official reception at Muleeaage last night to mark Maldives Independence Day.

Attendees included cabinet ministers, members of the parliament, state ministers, foreign dignitaries and heads of various independent agencies, the President’s Office stated.

Meanwhile, countries from around the world including Pakistan and Abu Dhabi have sent the Maldives congratulatory messages on the occasion.

Earlier in the day, the President and First Lady watched a parade by the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF), route march by school bands and cultural items at the Republic square.

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Maldives to celebrate Independence Day

The Maldives celebrates the 46th anniversary of the country’s independence from Britain tomorrow, July 26.

At 6:30am a special flag hoisting ceremony at the Republic Square is scheduled to start the events of the day.

At 10:00am a special ceremony is to be held Dharubaaruge where the President will award National Exemplary Service Medals and National Service Medals in recognition of recipients who made important contributions to the state and the people of the Maldives.

The President has decided to award the National Exemplary Service Medal to eight individuals and the National Service Medal to six people, according to the President’s Office.

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