Police have arrested two men after a 15-year-old girl was raped on the island of Hulhumalé.
Local media outlet Haveeru reported that the girl was raped by a gang of four men, two of whom are still being sought after by police.
Police have confirmed that the two men arrested – aged 21 and 29 – are linked to this case. Hulhumalé police station and the Family and Child Protection Department is investigating the case.
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(0)Minister of Environment and Energy Thoriq Ibrahim has called for a cap on global temperature rise, and pledged to increase renewable energy to 30% in the next 5 years.
“Averting catastrophe is still possible,” said Thoriq in a statement released yesterday (April 14).
“The impacts of climate change are already being felt, and that is why we are calling for a cap of 1.5 degree Celcius.”
Thoriq’s pledges were made in response to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report entitled ‘Climate Change 2014: Mitigation of Climate Change’, released on March 31.
The IPCC report contends that the world, in many cases, is ill-prepared for risks from a changing climate. However, it also argues that there are opportunities to respond to such risks, though the risks will be more difficult to manage the higher the levels of warming.
The report confirms that carbon emissions have risen more rapidly during the last decade, and that a rise in our current temperature would make the effects extremely difficult to manage. It further urged leaders to invest in low carbon energy projects in order to limit global warming to 2 degrees celcius.
The statement by Thoriq explains that the Maldives – with its low lying islands vulnerable to a rise in sea levels – has been actively campaigning the impacts of climate change for 27 years.
“We are determined and actively working towards increasing our share of renewable in the electricity production of populated islands by 30% within next 5 years,” stated Thoriq.
“The Maldives is committed to introduce cost effective renewable energy as part of a diverse, low-carbon and secure energy mix in our low carbon development.”
The IPCC report prompted calls from Foreign Minister Dunya Maumoon for the international community to switch from ” ‘business-as-usual’ mode to ‘action now’ “.
“Let this report be the much needed impetus for this September’s Climate Summit in New York, and let us all put our names in history books for saving the planet for our children, in Paris next year”, said Dunya shortly after the report’s publication.
Policies in progress
In keeping with these statements, the Ministry of Environment had recently revealed plans to set up a climate research institute in the Maldives.
Speaking as the guest of honour at the second forum on climate held in the Maldives, Minister Thoriq said that this forum was an important step in mitigating the risks of climate change that low-lying island states experience, reported local media outlet CNM.
Introduced in the Maldives in July 2012, the Monsoon Forum has taken a multi-hazard approach, integrating issues on forecasts and warning information with concerns regarding geological hazards like earthquakes and tsunamis.
This forum – organised jointly by the Maldives Meteorological Service and the Regional Integrated Multi-Hazard Early Warning Systems – is geared as an opportunity for dialogue between hydro-meteorological scientists, who generate climate information and promote the application of forecasts and warning information for enhanced management of climate change risks.
Thoriq said that these meetings were crucial as different institutions have to anticipate possible impacts and develop a set of potential responses or management strategies to minimise them. He was also reported to have highlighted the importance of having a climate research institute in the Maldives.
In addition, the ministry recently held an international renewable energy investor’s conference, focusing on the development of solar energy, in a bid to transform the Maldives’ energy sector.
Held on March 26, the ministry reported that a total of 78 participants from government organisations, the World Bank, foreign consultants, and investors discussed photovoltaic systems at the conference.
The conference came after the government last week outlined it’s strategic aims for renewable energy in a proposal named ‘Accelerating Sustainable Private Investments in Renewable Energy programme’ (ASPIRE).
Published March 21 2014, this report detailed some of the difficulties faced by the Maldives, as well as future plans to increase the proportion of sustainable energy consumed in the country.
After the publication of the IPCC report, Thoriq stated that there was “no room at all for any hesitancy”.
“Bold and urgent actions are the order of the day. Now is the time for world leaders to show leadership, implement bold and urgent actions and avert future generations from impending danger before it’s too late. Humanity cannot afford further delay.”
(0)Dislikes(0)Police Commissioner Hussain Waheed has opened a new detention centre in Fuvahmulah during a special ceremony held yesterday (April 6).
The facility – which is established within the premises of Fuvahmulah police station – can hold up to 20 detainees and consists of ten cells.
According to local media Sun Online,Commissioner Waheed said that while the police have the authority to detain persons suspected of crimes, he hoped that the facility would stay vacant most of the time.
He reportedly said that this can only be achieved if all groups work together to prevent crime in the atoll.
(0)Dislikes(0)The Ministry of Environment and Energy yesterday (April 1) held a panel discussion as well as a question and answer session to mark the occasion of the World Water Day 2013, which fell on March 22.
According to the press statement, the presentations covered a range of topics from water and energy, the history of water and sewerage systems in Maldives, the current plans and policies of the government including summary information on projects, meteorological aspects related to water security, water as a human right, issues related to water quality, and how water is related to climate change.
The event was held mainly for the students studying environmental management, journalism, and teaching at the Maldives National University (MNU). Their participation was intended to enrich their knowledge and to orient them towards environmental issues in Maldives, the ministry’s press release stated.
The event was held in association with the Faculty of Science at MNU, with a welcome address given by the Deputy Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs Dr Ali Shareef, followed by the speech by the State Minister for Environment and Energy Hasan Shah.
Minister of State for Environment and Energy Abdul Matheen Mohamed has previously told Minivan News that the government is emphasising integrated systems in order to make the best use of the water resources currently available in the country.
(0)Dislikes(0)The Maldives Customs Service have confirmed they are increasing security measures to tackle the increase in dangerous animals being illegally imported into the country.
Senior Superintendant of Customs Ahmed Niyaz confirmed that from this week onwards the team are stepping up their security procedures in an effort to crack down on the illicit trade of animals.
“We have instructed cargo checks and consider giving more attention to these, and will report any findings,” said Niyaz, adding that customs were working closely with the police to carry out more thorough security checks.
In addition, Niyaz today stated that there hadn’t been any snakes intercepted in customs, but that there were many snakes being found in raids conducted by police.
The move follows the discovery of a 4ft long snake that was found on the streets of of Male this Tuesday (March 11). Local media Haveeru reported that the live snake was found on Galolhu Ruhkendiya Higun at 7:40pm.
Earlier this month police also discovered a royal python – a nonvenomous snake commonly kept as a pet – following a drugs raid in Himmafushi, Kaafu atoll, on March 4.
In a separate raid on March 7 police also confiscated a Kingsnake and a Mexican red-kneed trarantula from a house in Malé.
Local media Sun Online reported that customs suspected eggs of animals such as snakes were being brought in through seaports, as security is less in ports not regulated by customs.
“We have good procedures, but as there is an increase in these discoveries, more steps need to be taken,” Niyaz told Minivan News today.
According to the Maldives ports security laws, it is illegal to bring in “dangerous animals” without the appropriate permits. Niyaz clarified that the majority of animals that are brought in are “not illegal, but require a permit”.
Any dangerous animals that are confiscated are handed over to the police, he said, adding that “if an animal is protected under convention they will inform the Ministry of Environment. They will then check with international bodies.”
In the majority of cases the dangerous animals will then be sent to other countries, due to insufficient space or expertise in Malé, he explained.
Niyaz confirmed that the recently confiscated slow loris – a highly endangered animal – has received significant interest from international partners wanting to take on the animal.
The slow loris was discovered by police in a drugs raid in Malé in Januray 21. The species’ decline in numbers has been closely attributed to their unsustainable trade as exotic pets. During the raid police arrested eight Maldivians with illegal narcotics and more than MVR140,000 (US$9,000) and US$11,000 in cash from the residence.
The issue of trading dangerous animals was focused upon during World Wild Life Day on March 3, during which United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon gave a statement about the dangers of the trade.
“The environmental, economic and social consequences of wildlife crime are profound. Our particular concern are the implications of illicit trafficking for peace and security in a number of countries where organized crime, insurgency and terrorism are often closely linked.”
(0)Dislikes(0)The leader of a nation-wide drug network, Ibrahim Shafaz, was sentenced to 18 years in prison, Sun Online reports.
The sentence was handed down to Shafaz and five associates on Tuesday. Shafaz must also pay a fine of MVF 75 000 (US$4860) within one month.
Three accomplices, Ismail Shaheem, Mohamed Meead and Anas Anees, received ten years.
Two men affiliated with the network – Hussain Athif and Abdul Sattar Ali – were also convicted and sentenced to 18 years and MVR 75,000 (US$4860) in fines.
Shafaz was arrested in 2011 as part of the two-year long “Operation Challenge,” combating the drug network.
800 grams of heroin were seized by police from Shafaz’s apartment, and opiates were confiscated from an apartment rented by an affiliate of the network.
The conviction came on the strength of recorded phone calls and financial transactions with a contact in Colombo, believed to be the supplier.
The network had been operating since 2006.
(0)Dislikes(0)The Government has proposed an amendment to the Decentralisation Act in a bid to cut spending on the Civil Service.
The Act, regarding local councils, currently ensures that five council members must be elected for every island with less than 3000 people, while islands with more than 3000 people are entitled to seven councilors.
In cities, one councilor is elected for each constituency.
The proposed amendment amalgamates the island and atoll councils to a limited extent.
Individuals may belong to both councils, and there will no longer be separate elections for the atoll councils.
Ibrahim Muaz, spokesman for the President’s Office, said, “the president’s thinking is not to cut-down on the number of councilors. But to elect councilors based on the population of the islands. This is a move to curb State expenditure.”
The government hopes to implement the amendment before the local council elections in January.
However, Moosa Manik, MP for Hulhu-Henveiru and Chair of the Parliamentary National Security Committee, warned that it may be impossible to implement the changes before January.
The committee has recently passed other local council reforms, including designating any island with more than 10 000 people a city (currently 25 000) and inviting the president of the women’s committee into council.
The Maldivian Democratic Party had proposed similar legislation in 2010, aiming to cut down on administrative costs by establishing seven provinces in place of the twenty-one atoll system.
The bill was shot down by opposition MPs, mostly from the Dhivehi Rayyithunge Party, on the grounds that the proposed changes were unconstitutional.
(0)Dislikes(0)The new Attorney-General, Uz Mohamed Anil, took his oath of office on Thursday evening at the President’s office.
Mohamed Anil was appointed by President Abdulla Yameen Gayoom, and took his oath before Supreme Court Judge Uz Abdulla Areef.
Mohamed Anil will also sit on the Judicial Service Commission (JSC), as per Article 158 (i) of the Constitution.
This marks the final appointment of the President’s Cabinet.
President Yameen’s Cabinet
Minister of Defense and National Security, Retired Colonel Mohamed Nazim
Minister of Finance and Treasury, Abdulla Jihad
Minister of Tourism, Ahmed Adheeb (PPM)
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dunya Maumoon (PPM)
Minister of Transport and Communication, Ameen Ibrahim (Jumhoree Party)
Minister of Home Affairs, Umar Naseer
Minister of Islamic Affairs, Sheikh Dr Mohamed Shaheem Ali Saeed (Adhaalath Party)
Minister of Housing and Infrastructure, Dr Mohamed Muiz (Adhaalath Party)
Minister of Fisheries and Agriculture, Dr Mohamed Shainy
Minister of Economic Development, Mohamed Saeed (Jumhoree Party)
Minister of Environment and Energy, Thoriq Ibrahim
Minister of Education, Dr Aishath Shiham (PPM)
Minister of Health and Gender, Dr Mariyam Shakeela
Minister of Youth and Sports, Mohamed Maleeh Jamaal (PPM)
Attorney General Mohamed Anil
(0)Dislikes(0)A 21 and 24 year-old have been arrested by the Maldivian Police Service (MPS) on suspicion of stealing a laptop and cash, Sun Online reports.
A laptop and MVR 100 000 were burgled from a house on Kunahandhoo in Laamu atoll on Friday afternoon.
The suspects were arrested during the subsequent manhunt.
Both were arrested on Laamu Kunahandhoo
Maldives Police Service has arrested two individuals on suspicion of stealing a laptop and a large amount of cash from a house in Laamu Kunahandhoo yesterday afternoon.
Police revealed one individual as a 21-year-old and the other a 24-year-old, and said both have records of theft and robbery.
The two people were arrested during a manhunt for suspects. They are suspected of stealing a total of MVR 100,000 in cash, in addition to the laptop.
The 21 year old individual was arrested today and the 24 year old early this morning, police said. Both men were arrested under court warrants in Laamu Kunahandhoo.
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