Tag: maldives news

National carom tounament – wrap up

The 20th National carom tournament has come to an end.

The men’s singles title was won by Hussain Neeshaal. Neeshaal defeated Ali Niyzaaz in the final by two sets, the third successive national title he has won.

The women’s singles final was won by Aishath Shaaznaa. Shaaznaa defeated Aishath Fianaaz by two sets, the sixth consecutive title Shaaznaa has won.

The mens team event was won by Club Mecano and the womens team event was won by Faafu Nilhandhoo Club Shaababu.

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Police hold awareness program in Noonu Atoll

The Noonu Manadhoo police have visited all the houses on Noonu Kendhikulhudhoo to increase awareness of how to reduce crime.

During the trip the police asked people what sort of crime was happening on the island. The police also gave people information on how to contact the police, how cases were investigated and how the police in Noonu Atoll operated.

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Diesel goes up

The State Trading Organisation (STO) has increased the price of diesel to Rf8.20 a litre from 29 December.

This is an increase of 55 laari from the previous diesel price.

STO reports that the increase in price is because the last diesel shipment brought in by the STO had gone up in price.

According to Miadhu, there has been an increase in international oil prices over the last couple of days by around US$4 a barrel.

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Children injured by lightning

Lightning strikes have injured four children in Haa Alifu Dhidhoo.

Miadhu reported that the four children were playing at an abandoned house during a heavy rain storm, which was struck by lightning. Two of the boys were below the age of 18 years while the other two were 18.

The Dhidhoo hospital reported that one child’s condition was serious while another had already been released, reports Miadhu.

The lightning strike had also caused some houses in Dhidhoo to lose electricity.

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European Commission hands Maldives €6.5 million for climate adaption

The European Commission has pledged €6.5 million (US$9.36 million) to help the Maldives adapt to the effects of climate change and mitigate the impact, and provide technical support.

The new Climate Change Trust Fund will be administered by the World Bank in a deal cemented between President Mohamed Nasheed and World Bank President Robert Zoellick at Copenhagen.

“The European Commission has given the money to the World Bank and asked them to manage it,” noted Minister for the Environment, Mohamed Aslam. “I believe the contract is already signed and the World Bank office in Sri Lanka informed me they were receiving it by courier today.”

The money was not part of the US$30 billion pledged at Copenhagen by developed nations to help developing countries adjust to climate change, Aslam emphasised, and was the fruition of an ongoing program “long before the [Copenhagen] accord.”

“We just happen to be the first country receiving this money,” he said.

While the money was not enough to begin tackling the problems facing the capital, he said, it would make a difference to coastal protection and “soft engineering” projects to help smaller islands suffering severe beach erosion.

“We will also invest it in developing sewerage and water systems on islands,” he said, adding the government had yet to decide which islands to help.

Food security was another priority for the money, Aslam said, and an issue that affected the entire country regardless of geographic location.

“It’s more about trying to find a climate-sound method of agriculture for the country,” he said.

A delegation from the World Bank will arrive in the Maldives in January to meet with the government and discuss how the money should be spent.

“Adapting to climate change will cost a lot more than €6.5 million,” Aslam noted, estimating the figure was more in the realm of US$4.6 billion.

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Hinnavaru harbour to be expanded

Work has begun on expanding the harbour at Faadhipolhu Hinnavaru.

TVM reported that under the tsunami development project, Amin Construction has taken over the project. The harbour expansion is expected to be complete after one year.

The existing 300 foot harbour currently does not meet the requirements of the people of Hinnavaru, TVM reported.

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The proceeds of illegal fishing in the Maldives

Fishing has always been a huge part of Maldivian life. Ever since people settled here, fishing has provided a source of food and income. Even after the industrialisation of the fishing sector in 1979, the Maldives maintained a strict policy ensuring sustainable fishing.

The main methods used are pole and line and hand line fishing. These methods ensure that the resource is not over utilised.

However there have always been illegal fishing activities conducted in the Maldivian economic exclusive zone (EEZ), an area of nearly a million square kilometres recognised internationally as Maldivian fishing territory.

The most recent case was reported October 2009, when two Iranian fishing vessels were apprehended by the Maldives National Defense Force (MNDF) coast guard. These two vessels carried a total of almost 60 tonnes of fish.

Currently all illegal fishermen apprehended by the MNDF are handed over to police for processing and fined between Rf100,000 to 1 million, according to Hussain Sinaan from the ministry of fisheries and agriculture.

The coast guard are left with the problem of what to do with the confiscated fish, he said, which can include high-value product such as shark fin.

“The MNDF will hold an auction to sell the fish, if they believe the fish will go bad,” he said, adding that the auctions are usually announced and open to the public.

The coast guard did not respond to enquiries from Minivan News as to how much confiscated fish has been sold at these auctions, whether the cargo is inspected for protected species, or where the proceeds go.

Recent regulations passed by the EU requires the licensing of vessels catching fish for the European export market, intended to reduce the amount of illegal fishing.

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President presented with special issue of Milan Weekly

Nepalese magazine Milan Weekly has presented President Nasheed its special issue during the 15th SAARC Summit.

Chief editor and publisher of the magazine Rekha Kyastha Bhandari presented the president with the special issue.

The presentation took place at the presidents office. Nasheed said that SAARC needed to have a broader role in regional issues.

Since the third SAARC summit in 1987, Milan Weekly have published special issues to commemorate the summits.

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More signings for VB

VB sports continued its spending spree by signing three new players.

Valencia striker Ahmed Thoriq ( Tom), Victory defender Ahmed Saeed (Amatty), New Radient Akram Abdul Ghanee and All Youth Linkage, AYL, Suadullah Kamaal have all agreed terms with the club.

VB have started practicing under Turkish coach Can Vanli.

In preparation for next years AFC cup, VB have signed a total of seven new players.

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