Category: News in Brief

SAARC drafting natural disaster rapid response mechanism at meeting in Male’

The Maldives government is currently hosting an inter-governmental expert group meeting with SAARC leaders to create a natural disaster rapid response mechanism for member nations.

The meeting is being held at Traders Hotel in Male’ May 25-26 with the intention of finalising the draft agreement.

“Once the agreement enters into force, it will enable Member States to cooperate and extend assistance to Member States of SAARC in the event of devastating natural disasters. This will include deployment of rapid response and experts, rescue and relief operations, medical assistance, etc,” the Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

“Furthermore this agreement will create a channel for flow of relief material and medical supplies and equipment without bureaucratic hindrances.”

The Maldives is hosting the 17th SAARC Summit this year on November 10-11.

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High Court and Judicial Administration claims protesters obstructed court work

The High Court and the Department of Judicial Administration have said that yesterday’s Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP)-led protest calling for the arrest of former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom had obstructed the work of the courts, and called on the armed forces not to allow protesters to gather near the court buildings.

In a press release the Department of Judicial Administration said protesting near the courts was banned according to relevant laws.

The Department said the constitution stated that no one should influence the work of judiciary and that everyone should respect the courts, and assist the court in all ways.

Meanwhile the High Court issued a press release stating that the work of the High Court was interrupted, and disturbed those summoned to the court as well as staff.

A pregnant woman who came to enter the court was squeezed between the steel gate of the High Court and the protesters and was hurt, the High Court claimed.

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Maldivian vessel held at Colombo port upon court order

A cargo vessel of Maldivian origin has reportedly been held by port authorities in Colombo, Sri Lanka, over claims the ship’s owners had not paid outstanding dues.

Haveeru has reported that the Sri Lanka Ports Authority has said that the vessel was detained last week following the issue of a court order concerning payments.

Shanthi Weerakoon, Director of Merchant Shipping for the local port authority, told the newspaper that ship detentions often occurred in cases where cargo companies were believed to have delayed payments to shipping agents or port officials. Weerakoon added that no timeframe had been set to release the ship at present depending on possible outstanding payments.

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Dutch ambassador departs, Italian ambassador arrives

Ambassador of the Netherlands to the Maldives Leoni Cuelenaere is departing the Maldives while the new Ambassador of Italy accredited to the Maldives Fabrizio Pio Arpen Am presented his credentials to the President yesterday.

In a farewell meeting with Cuelenaere President Mohamed Nasheed expressed his gratitude for the work done by the Dutch Ambassador and highlighted major joint ventures between the government and the Maldives, including Royal Boskalis Westminster and Dutch Docklands. Cuelenaere in response praised Nasheed’s initiative to open up the Maldivian economy and strengthen democratic institutions.

Meanwhile, the new Italian Ambassador Fabrizio Pio Arpea presented his credentials to the President, and spoke about the proposed trip of 20 Italian students to the outpost of the University of Milano-Bicocca in the Maldives.

Arpea reiterated the importance of the ongoing business engagements between the two countries, especially in tourism – Italy is historically one of the Maldives’ strongest European markets.

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President teaches economics at Dharumavantha School

President Mohamed Nasheed presented a lecture on the government’s financial reforms to economic students at Dharumavantha School.

The President explained the need to make state revenue sustainable with the government’s new tax regime, and how the introduction of a goods and services tax, business profit tax and income tax would benefit the economy.

A video series of the lesson are available on the President’s Office website.

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DRP backs speedy investigation of infanticide cases

The opposition Dhivehi Rayyithunge Party (DRP) has backed police efforts to investigate and convict women suspected of infanticide, after the the corpses of two premature babies and one recently born infant were found in the capital.

“I call on the government to give equal importance to social issues as it does to political issues. Crime cannot be prevented by the simple existence of a law against it,” DRP MP Rozaina Adam said at a press conference yesterday.

“We see the government working at top gear to solve some problems, but nothing is done to solve these issues. We don’t even see government officials advocating against these crimes,” Haveeru reported Rozaina as saying.

Three women have been arrested in connection with the discarded infants.

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Man arrested for allegedly robbing an expat

Police have arrested a man in Seenu Atoll Feydhoo for allegedly robbing an expat teacher working on the island.

SunFM reported that he robbed the Indian teacher of his laptop, jewels, pen-drive and a mobile phone.

Police told the paper that all the items were recovered after the suspect told police where they were hidden.

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14 year-old boy stabbed on way home from school

A group of unknown assailants have stabbed a 14 year-old boy, after he refused to hand over his mobile phone to the group.

Haveeru reported that the boy was attacked while he was walking home from school.

The boy has now been admitted to hospital for treatment and is in a critical condition, according to reports.

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Maldives enters race to host AFC Challenge Cup tournament

The Maldives has joined Nepal and Palestine in the running to become the host nation for next year’s Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Challenge Cup finals.

According to the Asian football association, the three nations have been asked to sign the confederation’s Organising Association Agreement (OAA) and agree to its last of requirements in order to stand as possible host candidates for the event, which is held contested every two years among a number of second tier national football teams represented by the AFC.

The hosting decision is expected to be made by June 14, 2011, with all three potential nations standing to hold a major AFC finals event for the first time.

Back in March, the Maldives’ national stadium in Male’ hosted every single Group C qualifying match for the 2012 Challenge Cup finals, with the home team coming out on top to qualify alongside second place Tajikistan.

The last three challenge cups taking place in 2010, 2008 and 2006 took place in Sri Lanka, India and Bangladesh respectively.

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