Category: News in Brief

Changes brought to senior MNDF positions

President Abdulla Yameen has replaced two senior officers in the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF), reports Haveeru.

In the first major changes to the MNDF following the dismissal of Mohamed Nazim as defence minister, Lieutenant Colonel Ahmed Fayaz (Papa) has replaced Major Ahmed Faisal as head of the Special Protection Group – charged with ensuring the security and safety of the president.

Captain Ibrahim Naeem is also reported to have been removed from the head of armory and replaced by MNDF intelligence head Lieutenant Colonel Abdul Rauf.

MNDF Spokesman Major Hussein Ali told Minivan News that routine changes were common, and that any information that has to be publicised will be.

The dismissal of Nazim from the post of minister of defence and national security came as a result of a police investigation into illegal weapons being kept in the minister’s home.

He had been in the position since February 2012 – one of the first appointments made by President Dr Mohamed Waheed following the controversial resignation of President Mohamed Nasheed.

Source: Haveeru

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Supreme Court decides on providing living allowance to judicial staff

The Supreme Court has decided to provide a living allowance to all judicial staff to ensure that they remain unbiased in their work.

A circular released last night – signed by Chief Justice Abdullah Saeed – read that, in order ensure the independence and integrity of staff who are working towards ensuring the rights of the general public and fulfilling constitutional responsibilities, it is necessary to provide them with a reasonable compensation.

The living allowance was approved by amending Article 53 of the judicial staff regulations by the Supreme Court in accordance with the powers vested to the Supreme Court by the Constitution.

The amount to be given out to staff as the living allowance will be decided by the Judicial Administration Department as per the amendment.

Source: Haveeru

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Tourism minister Adeeb appointed acting Home Minister

Minister of Tourism Ahmed Adeeb has been appointed the acting minister of home affairs, while Umar Naseer is travelling abroad.

According to Sun Online Umar Naseer is leaving on an official trip coupled with a personal one, although no details on when he would be returning was revealed.

President Abdulla Yameen yesterday (January 21) brought changes to a number of ministries and state institutions in the aftermath of Colonel (ret) Mohamed Nazim’s dismissal as defence minister.

Minister of Fisheries and Agriculture Dr Mohamed Shainee was appointed to the vacated acting health minister’s position, while Umar Naseer was appointed to the Local Government Association.

Additionally, the Department of Immigration and Emigration – under Nazim’s remit as part of the defence ministry since December 2012 – was reallocated to the Ministry of Economic Development.

Adeeb had previously acted as defence minister earlier this month, when Nazim was away on personal business.

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PG considers blocking pornographic websites in the Maldives

Prosecutor General (PG) Muhthaz Muhsin has said that the office is considering demanding that internet service providers in the Maldives block pornographic websites.

Speaking to Avas, Muhsin said pornographic websites are blocked in most Islamic countries and that the Maldives should follow suit.

“This is how it is in the lot of Muslim countries. We are thinking of doing the same in the Maldives,” Muhsin told Avas.

According to current laws and regulations, possessing and distributing pictures or videos with pornographic content is illegal in the Maldives.

Last year, nine underage students were arrested in Feydhoo School in Addu City for the possession of pornographic pictures and videos while a man was sentenced to six years of imprisonment for possessing pornographic material.

Source: Avas

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Adhaalath Party president meets with police

Adhaalath Party President Sheikh Imran Abdulla has met with police at the their headquarters in Malé today, says media reports.

Imran told press that he had not been accused of any crime, while police have said the meeting was not in relation to any ongoing investigations.

Imran took to twitter following the dismissal of defence minister Colonel (retired) Mohamed Nazim yesterday, warning that the country was “drifting towards a storm”,

“If the direction is not changed wisely the country will be shattered,” read one post, while another posted the day before said: “The people who try and blame innocent people after commit heinous crimes will face a bitter end”.

Source: Sun Online, Vnews, Haveeru

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US embassy donates library to Thinadhoo Primary School

The US embassy has donated a library of 750 English-language books to the Thinadoo Primary School in Gaafu Dhaalu Atoll.

“The United States supports expanding educational opportunities around the world,” said Young Hwan Joo of the US embassy to the students at the school.

“We hope that one day all of you will take your first steps to not only become future exchange students in the United States, but also leaders of your community and your country.”

The books, with a total cost of cost of $10,000, range from early to more advanced stories to text books and teaching aids.  They will be used in classes, but also taken home for reading assignments and personal enjoyment, explained a US embassy press release today.

“Thank you very much for your support to our school,” said Principal Ajeeb Mohammed told embassy staff.  “Our students, teachers and staff are delighted with your visit and we all believe that it will be a great milestone for our school.”

This is the second in a series of twelve book drops planned for islands in the outer atolls. The first took place in March 2014 in Fuvamulah.

“These donations address critical educational needs in remote areas where the delivery of books has been difficult,” continued today’s press release.

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India-Maldives Film Festival launched

The India-Maldives Film Festival was launched last night at Malé’s Olympus theatre as part of the ‘Love for Bollywood Festival’ being held to celebrate the Golden Jubilee anniversary of diplomatic relations.

The award winning comedy-drama ‘3 Idiots’ was shown yesterday after a cultural segment from the Indian Cultural Centre, while additional Indian and Dhivehi films will be show over the next two evenings. Entry is free.

Minister of Youth and Sports Mohamed Maleeh Jamal attended yesterday’s event, thanking the Indian government for its continued support, while the Indian High Commission announced that a grant of US$1000 has been provided to the Maldives Film Association to support this year’s activities.

The ‘Love for Bollywood’ festival also includes a Bollywood quiz, a cultural evening at the Alimas Carnival area on January 24, and a South Asian art exhibition between January 26 and 31.

The events are sponsored by the State Trading Organization, telecom provider Ooredoo, the State Bank of India, and Indian infrastructure giant Tata Housing.

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Hulhumeedhoo Health Centre first to offer chemotherapy outside of Malé

Hulhumeedhoo Health Centre in Addu City has become the first place in the Maldives outside of Malé to offer chemotherapy.

Health centre officials told Sun Online that the service was launched on Sunday, and the first patient treated yesterday with medication brought with him from India.

The government has said that the introduction of chemotherapy facilities – unavailable in the country before last year – was crucial, with Maldivians with cancer having previously been forced to live abroad.

Source: Vnews, Sun Online

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Hajj corporation inaugurated, Shaheem pledges to reduce cost of pilgrimage

President Abdulla Yameen last night officially inaugurated the Maldives Hajj Corporation, with Islamic minister Dr Mohamed Shaheem Ali Saeed pledging to reduce the cost of the pilgrimage.

Shaheem told those in attendance at the ceremony held at Hotel Jen yesterday evening that MVR110 million (US$7.1 million) had been deposited with the corporation so far, noting that government had become more involved in the Hajj trips after the activities of some unscrupulous companies.

The state-owned Hajj Corporation was established during the presidency of Dr Mohamed Waheed in 2013, after legal wrangling over whether the Islamic Ministry should be forced to reevaluate several unsuccessful bids by private Hajj groups.

Of the 1,000 pilgrim quota afforded to the Maldives by Saudi Arabia last year, 500 were reserved by the Hajj Corporation while the rest were divided amongst Hajj groups chosen after a bidding process.

Sun Online has reported that the corporation’s quota is now filled until 2017.

Source: Haveeru, Sun Online

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