23 January 2011 | Sunday                 

Dr. Zulfa’s visit to Taj Exotica Resort & Spa

The Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture for Maldives, Dr. Mariyam Zulfa graced the award winning Taj Exotica Resort & Spa on Friday, January 7, 2011. Dr. Zulfa was welcomed at the resort by the General Manager, Mr. Girish Sehgal with traditional Maldivian welcome. During the visit Dr. Zulfa went around the island to see the villas and the facilities offered by the resort that has recently won 11 International awards & recognitions including being awarded the ‘Best Leading Hotel of the World, for Commitment to Quality & Excellence in 2009’ by Leading Hotels of the World.

India to Assist Capacity Building to Promote Technology Adaptation and Donates Sports Equipments and Pharmaceuticals
The government has signed an agreement with the Indian government on capacity building to promote technology adaptation in the Maldives today. Under the agreement on “Education Capacity Building to Promote Technology Adaptation in the Republic of Maldives” worth US$5.3 million, India will provide training in the Maldives, especially in the atolls to promote new technology adaptation in the education sector. At the ceremony held at the President’s Office, attended by President Nasheed, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Ahmed Naseem signed the agreement on behalf of the government of the Maldives, while the Indian government was represented by Indian High Commissioner to the Maldives D. M. Mulay. During this morning’s ceremony, the Indian High Commissioner also handed over the token documents relating to the sporting equipments and pharmaceutical supplies donated by the Indian government. The Indian government donated to the Maldives, sporting equipments worth Rs7 million and pharmaceuticals worth Rs10.6 million. In his remarks at the ceremony, President Mohamed Nasheed thanked the Indian government for its “valuable” donation of sporting goods, pharmaceuticals and the agreement to train local capacity on information and communication technologies.

Benefits of Government policies evident – Pres.
Addressing the people of Nilandhoo and Maamendhoo of North Huvadhu Atoll yesterday morning, President Mohamed Nasheed has said the benefits and progress resulting from the government’s policies were now evident in all areas of the country. He said these policies were based on the government’s electoral pledges that reflected the most immediate needs of the people that became clear to ruling MDP during their pre-election visits to the islands and consultations with people. The President said one of the pledges of the government was increasing value of fish sold to the market by local fishermen. He noted that the value of fish has significantly increased following the government’s decision to open up local fishing industry and allowing any small and medium enterprise to buy fish directly from fishermen.

There’s no need to change the leadership of independent bodies now and then- Prof. Shaheed
Professor Ahmed Shaheed has said that he does not believe in the policy of changing the leadership of independent bodies every now and then. At a press conference held yesterday evening at MDP Office by Professor Shaheed to comment on the rumour spread on some of the media that members of DRP, PA and ruling MDP are working to set a no-confidence motion against DRP member and Speaker of the Peoples’ Majlis Abdullah Shahid, he said that such talks are not beneficial in a time when every party is working for the upcoming local council elections. Prof. Shaheed said that a much bigger national responsibility is now at hand and it is unnecessary to talk about setting a no-confidence motion against DRP member and Speaker of the Peoples’ Majlis Abdullah Shahid. He said that such talks are originating from the small political parties who seek to draw attention. He said that all political parties should direct all their attention to Local Council Elections. Meanwhile, Ahmed Thasmeen Ali, Leader of the main opposition DRP and the majority leader of the parliament has said DRP will oppose any no-confidence motion set against Speaker of the Peoples’ Majlis. DRP Leader said that no such decisions have been made by the DRP Parliamentary group. He also said that the majority of the DRP Parliamentary group will work against any no- confidence vote against Speaker Shahid. He said he believes that if such a vote is taken, then it won’t be a success. The DRP Leader said that the party will take necessary actions against its members involved in filing such a no- confidence vote.

IFM to condemn the government’s continuous attempts to portray Maldivians as extremists
Islamic Foundation of the Maldives has condemned the government’s act of portraying Ibrahim Fauzee, president of the Islamic Foundation and the renowned preachers, Sheikh Ibrahim Fareed Ahmed and Sheikh Ilyas Hussain as radicals and extremists, in the cover story of India’s weekly magazine “The Week” on the edition published on 16 January 2011.

President Visits Vilingili and Kolamaafushi
President Mohamed Nasheed has today visited Vilingili and Kolamaafushi of North Huvadhu Atoll as part of his tour of Huvadhu Atoll that he began yesterday. He received a warm welcome from the people of both islands as he arrived in the islands. Meeting the people of both islands, he noted that Huvadhu Atoll was especially known for their fishing, and local fishermen have begun to see the benefits annulling the licenses issued by the previous administration to overseas fishermen to do long line fishing 100 miles off the Maldives.

Benefits of Government Policies Evident – the President
Addressing the people of Nilandhoo and Maamendhoo of North Huvadhu Atoll this morning, President Mohamed Nasheed has said the benefits and progress resulting from the government’s policies were now evident in all areas of the country. He said these policies were based on the government’s electoral pledges that reflected the most immediate needs of the people that became clear to ruling MDP during their pre-election visits to the islands and consultations with people. The President said one of the pledges of the government was increasing value of fish sold to the market by local fishermen. He noted that the value of fish has significantly increased following the government’s decision to open up local fishing industry and allowing any small and medium enterprise to buy fish directly from fishermen. Meeting the people in Nilandhoo as well as Maamendhoo, the President underscored the social and economic benefits of the government’s programmes especially its social security programme. He said 153 Nilandhoo residents and 219 Maamendhoo residents were insured by the Madhana health insurance programme, while 62 Nilandhoo residents and 67 Maamendhoo residents received the old age pension. In his address to people of Maamendhoo, the President revealed that the government would commence constructing the island’s harbour this year.

Amnesty International makes accusations against Sri Lankan forces
Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa is reportedly on a personal visit to the U.S., prompting calls from an international human rights group that he be investigated for his alleged role in torture and war crimes. Mr. Rajapaksa is commander in chief of Sri Lanka's armed forces, which along with the rebel Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), face allegations of war crimes during the decades-long conflict on the South Asian island.

Rights group urges boycott of Sri Lankan book festival
Several well-known writers, thinkers and filmmakers are backing a boycott led by Reporters Without Borders of Sri Lanka's main literary festival. Arundhati Roy, Ken Loach, Tariq Ali and Noam Chomsky have added their names to a campaign by the organization protesting the country's restrictions on free speech.

Court revives lawsuit challenging Indian casino
A federal appeals court revived a lawsuit challenging a new casino in southwest Michigan on Friday, the same day the American Indian tribe announced when it would open.The court said casino foe David Patchak of Allegan County's Wayland Township can challenge how the federal government placed the land in trust for the Gun Lake Tribe of Pottawatomi Indians. "If the casino opens, it may not stay that way for very long," said Patchak's lawyer, John Bursch.

                 22 January 2011 | Saturday                 

Two more Airstrips to be Built in Huvadhu Atoll
Speaking in Hoadedhdhoo this afternoon, President Mohamed Nasheed has revealed that the government would commence building two more airstrips in Huvadhu Atoll this year. One of the two airstrips would be built in Vilingili of North Huvadhu Atoll while the second airstrip would be built in Gadhdhoo of South Huvadhu Atoll, the President said. He said enhancing the connectivity of Huvadhu Atoll with the rest of the country, especially with Addu, would foster tourism and increase commercial activities in the atoll. The President also announced that specific programmes were included in this year’s budget to expand the island’s agriculture. Programmes included in this year’s budget would increase access to easy financing and facilitate greater access to markets for Hoadedhdhoo farmers, he said. Highlighting the benefits of the government’s social security programme, the President said 227 residents of the island were insured under the Madhana social health insurance programme, while 49 residents received Rf2000 old age pension.

President Visits Nadalla and Rathafandhoo
As part of the tour of Huvadhu Atoll, that he began this morning, President Mohamed Nasheed has visited Nadalla and Rathafandhoo of South Huvadhu Atoll, this afternoon. Addressing the people of both islands, the President underscored the achievements of the government over the past two years in delivering its pledges, especially those to provide social security and affordable healthcare. He said the government has been able to provide social security, through its programmes, to the poorest and the most vulnerable in the country.On the pledge to provide affordable healthcare, he said 180 people of Nadalla and 316 people of Rathafandhoo were provided health insurance through Madhana social health insurance programme. The President said, the government´s aim was ensuring prosperity and increasing wealth of the people, and it would establish all necessary mechanisms through which people could achieve prosperity and wealth. In Rathafandhoo, he further revealed that the government would begin building shore protection around eroding areas and developing the sporting ground in the island this year.

Government to Link Madaveli and Hoadedhdhoo Island.
President Mohamed Nasheed has announced that the government would this year begin building a causeway between Madaveli and Hoadedhdhoo of South Huvadhu Atoll which are separated by a shallow lagoon. Speaking in Madaveli, the first leg of the tour of Huvadhu Atoll he began this morning, the President said the government’s intention was to combine the development of both islands. He said, as both islands were being linked, it would be necessary to reclaim more land, increase commercial activity, and build a large harbour to foster the development of both islands. In addition, he said, as part of the programme to link both islands, the government intended to establish combined electricity and water grids on both islands. Highlighting, specific programmes planned for Madaveli, he stated that the government would this year commence laying the island’s sewerage system, and the island’s health centre would be upgraded to a telemedicine centre. He also detailed the government’s achievements in delivering its pledges in Madaveli.

President’s Weekly Radio Address: Highlights the First Ever Cabinet Meeting to be Held out of Malé
In his weekly radio address that was broadcast this morning, President Mohamed Nasheed highlighted the first ever meeting of the Cabinet to be held out of Malé. The Cabinet has decided to hold the next Tuesday’s meeting of the Cabinet in Kulhudhuffushi of Haa Dhaal Atoll. The Cabinet meets every Tuesday at the President’s Office to discuss the government’s policies and decide on its developmental and other programmes. Calling next Tuesday, January 25, a historic day for the country and the government, the President revealed that the Cabinet meeting to be held in Kulhudhuffushi would focus on the government’s developmental programmes for Upper North Province. On the National University Act that he ratified on 17 January, President Nasheed said the government was making the necessary arrangements to establish the Maldives National University within the time frame given the Act. National University Act states that the Maldives National University should be established within 30 days after the commencement of the Act.

South Asian election commissioners exchanging best practices
Chief election commissioners of South Asian countries are meeting here to exchange ideas and best practices to promote electoral democracies in the region. The two-conference, jointly organized by Malaysian Commonwealth Studies Centre and Foundation for Advance Management of Elections (FAME) began at Pragati Resorts, about 40 km from Hyderabad. Except Bhutan, where the municipal elections are on, poll officials of all other South Asian countries are attending the conference, the first event of its kind.

Maldives graduates from LDC status, yet continues to face unique challenges
Maldives was officially taken off the United Nations list of Least Developed Countries (LDCs) on 1 January 2011. After Botswana in 1994 and Cape Verde in 2007, it is the third country to graduate from LDC status. The growth and prosperity of the tourism sector has been the main engine of Maldives´ economic progress over the last two decades. Gross national income per capita, estimated at $3,970 in 2009, is over three times the graduation threshold. Yet acute vulnerability to external shocks makes overall prosperity a difficult goal to sustain. Maldives underwent negative real GDP growth in 2005 and 2009, after the country was severely hit by a tragic tsunami and a global economic crisis, respectively. Today´s Maldives is recognized by several United Nations bodies, notably in the light of the Economic Vulnerability Index, as one of the most vulnerable ountries in the world.

Buttered up by Cocoa Island, the Maldives retreat where every day is a honeymoon
There are scary moments on Cocoa Island in the Maldives. One of them happens within minutes of arriving, when the ebullient Chinese member of staff who had checked us in asks if we want a 'room orientation'. No thanks - but do tell us where to turn off the air conditioning and how to open the doors and windows. You are already hermetically sealed when staying in a resort such as this on a small atoll in the Indian ocean, so why intensify the sensation by hiding behind thick glass - especially when the mosquitoes have been zapped in a process known as fogging?

Pakistan to participate in AFC U-14 Festival of Football
Pakistan’s U-14 football team will feature in AFC’s U-14 Festival of Football being played from May 10-23 in Yad, Iran. “We have a good track record during the past four years in the same event and we will be fielding a strong team to live upto the expectations,” said Faisal Saleh Hayat, President of the Pakistan Football Federation on Thursday. Hosts Iran, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Bhutan, Nepal, India, Maldives and Afghanistan will also participate in the event.

International Environmental Award goes to the Maldives
TUI AG awarded this year’s International Environmental Award to the Maldives. The winner is the Eco Centre on the Maldives island of Kuramathi in the Rasdhoo atoll. The prize is worth 10,000 euros and this year has been awarded for work in protecting the coral reefs. The Eco Centre, headed by Dr Reinhard Kikinger, has been fully committed for more than 10 years to protecting the coral reefs in the Maldives. Coral reefs are one of the world’s most biodiverse systems, but at the same time are also one of the most sensitive ecosystems. The International Environmental Award was granted today in the presence of the President of the Maldives, Mohamed Nasheed.

                 20 January 2011 | Thursday                 

Today we see the spread of Yellow even in Male’ atoll- Mariya
Mariya Ahmed Didi, ruling Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP)’s Chairperson and MP for Machchangoalhi Uthuru has said today we see that the official colour of MDP, Yellow, is spreading in Male’ atoll even. Speaking to Miadhu Daily, Mariya Ahmed Didi said that even the people of Male’ Atoll have started to think about the development of the country. MDP Chairperson said that the ruling MDP got a good amount of support from the people of Male’ Atoll in the second round of the last Presidential elections. “Now I see that the people of Male’ Atoll are now ripe for the multi-party system. I see today that the colour Yellow is being spread in Male’ Atoll,” she said. Mariya said that she had worked as an MP for Male’ Atoll and that at that time Male’ Atoll was left forgotten. She added that she found it even unimaginable that Male’ Atoll could develop so much. “I hoped for a change in this atoll. And by the grace of Allah today we see that change. We the development,” Mariya Ahmed Didi, ruling MDP’s Chairperson said.

President Nasheed’s promotion of Environmental issues increase the fame of Maldives- Milla Dale
Milla Dale, Head of Environmental Management/ Sustainable Development of TUI said that the President Nasheed’s promotion of Environmental issues increase the fame of Maldives.Milla Dale said this while speaking at the ceremony to hand over TUI International Award to Kuramathi Island EcoMaldives of Universal Enterprises. She said that the President Nasheed’s underwater cabinet meeting on the ocean floor to highlight the grave climate change-related threats to the Maldives have increased the fame of the country. Milla Dale said that this is the first time that Maldives is receiving the TUI International Award.

Islam calls for unity- Ilyas
Deputy leader of the scholarly committee of the religious right-wing Adaalaath Party, Ilyas Hussein has said that the religion of Islam calls for unity. Ilyas said this while giving a religious sermon at H.Dh Kulhudhufushi beach area near Ameer Ameen School. Ilyas said that we must not allow the unity of Islam to be downplayed nor allow it to be distorted. He said that there is no doubt that Allah had blessed us with many things, one of them is the bounty of speaking with the tongue. Deputy leader of the scholarly committee of the religious right-wing Adaalaath Party also said that we should refrain from division and sectarianism, lying, uttering falsehood, backbiting, spreading calumnies, breaching the honour of Muslims and other acts that Allah and His Messenger have forbidden.

World Hindi Day Celebrations 2011
Hindi, the official language of India is the third most widely spoken language in the world after Chinese and English. It is estimated that 500-600 million people all over the world speak the language. Hindi belongs to the Indo-Aryan group of languages and has been influenced and enriched over the period by Persian, Turkish, Farsi, Arabic, Portuguese and English. The High Commission of India, Male is organizing the World Hindi Day celebrations at the Iskandhar School, Male on 21 January 2011 (Friday) from 1700-2100 hours. As part of the celebrations, a number of competitive events like essay writing, recitations of songs and poems, speech and cultural quiz on Bollywood are being organized with attractive prizes to the winners. Interested persons of all nationalities are welcome to participate in the event. There will also be separate category in the competitive events for non-Hindi speakers, to encourage non-native Hindi Speakers.

GMR embarks on Malé modernisation
As the fifth airport in the ever-expanding GMR portfolio – and the fourth joint venture alongside MAHB – Malé International Airport is currently the subject of an intricate planning process which will shape the future of the main gateway to the Maldives. “During the bid stage, GMR had undertaken a fairly comprehensive traffic forecast and the process of revalidating these assumptions is currently underway,” explained Sripathy.

750,000th Visitor to Maldives Looks Forward to Return Trip Prize
Daniella Ruth Selig, who was the 750,000th tourist to visit the Maldives in 2010, has spoken of her delight in winning a return trip to the country for her and her family. In an interview to VisitMaldives.com, Ms Selig, a British national, said she was looking forward to returning to the Maldives later this year, after the birth of her baby. President Nasheed met with Ms Selig and her family on 13 December to congratulate her for being the 750,000th tourist and winning the prize of a return holiday. During the meeting, the President underscored the importance of tourism to the Maldivian economy and said the country would never overlook its biggest industry.

Goodyear to run Maldives incentive trip for dealers
Goodyear will this weekend send around 80 delegates to the Maldives for its CMS Events-organised annual incentive trip. The tyre and rubber manufacturer, which last year held the event in Bali and Singapore with CMS, organised the trip as a thank you to its dealers. The group, consisting of delegates and their partners from Goodyear's UK dealer network, will stay at the four-star Centara Grand Island Resort this weekend (21-24 January). Goodyear's communications manager Ron Pike told C&IT: "Last year's trip, which was organised by CMS, was a huge success and we had nearly 100% positive feedback. This time we're taking our staff around the Maldives as a thank you for all their hard work last year."

                 19 January 2011 | Wednesday                 

Gayoom’s thoughts are still from the traditions of his regime- Zuhair
Press Secretary at President’s Office Mohamed Zuhair has said that the main opposition Dhivehi Rayyithunge Party’s (DRP) founding Leader and former President of Maldives Maumoon Abdul Gayoom is still speaking from the traditions of his regime. Speaking to Miadhu Daily Press Secretary at President’s Office Mohamed Zuhair rebutted the claims of former President Gayoom that high posts of the government are given only to those from a certain party.

STO is a financially fit and successful company- STO
State Trading Organisation (STO)’s Managing Director, Shahid Ali has said that STO is a financially fit and successful company. STO MD said that the rumours going around some of the media that STO dismissed more than 100 members are doubtful with no ounce of difficulty. Shahid Ali said that STO has not decided to remove any of it’s employers. He also said that the company advertised to appoint candidates for open posts. “Gan Airport Company Limited, Maldives Airports Company Limited and STO signed a joint venture agreement to upgrade and operate Gan International Airport in Gan of Addu. “he said.

President Inaugurates Dhiffushi Harbour Construction Project
Visiting Dhiffushi this morning, as the first leg of the tour of Kaaf Atoll he began this morning, President Mohamed Nasheed has inaugurated the island’s harbour construction project. Addressing the people of Dhiffushi after inaugurating the project, the President underscored that the government’s policy was to develop harbours as commercial centers that would foster development and connectivity of the country. In this regard, the President said the government’s aim for Dhiffushi was also to develop the island’s harbour as a commercial centre that would facilitate the island’s as well as the region’s development. Speaking on how the government’s achievements in delivering its pledges benefit the island, the President said 146 of the island’s residents were insured under Madhana social health insurance programme, while a total of 46 residents received Rf2000 per month as the old age pension initiated by the government. In addition, he said 1588 passengers have begun their journey in Dhiffushi, and 1701 passengers have ended their journey in the island using the government’s new transport network. Dhiffushi harbour will be fitted with a breakwater and a revetment to enhance accessibility and protection of the harbour as part of the Rf21 million harbour construction project that began today and is expected to be completed by the end of the year.

Government to Launch More Projects under ‘Veshi Fahi Malé’ Programme
The Cabinet has today decided to launch more projects under 'Veshi Fahi Malé’Programme. ‘Veshi Fahi Malé’ programme initiated by Malé Municipality, aims to combine the development of Malé, Vilingili, Gulhi Falhu, Thilafushi, Hulhumalé and Malé International Airport to decongest Malé.New projects that were decided by the Cabinet today are as follows.

Survivor’s Bonnie Henna to battle herself
"This is a mental game and I reckon that I am my biggest opponent," says Sowetan born actress Bonnie Henna, who is about to appear on the small screen in Survivor South Africa Maldives.

India monitoring Sri Lanka's security situation
The Commander of the Indian Air Force, Air Chief Marshal Pradeep Vasant Naik today paid a courtesy call on Sri Lanka President Mahinda Rajapaksa at the Temple Trees. India's High Commissioner in Colombo Ashok K. Kantha accompanied the visiting Commander to the meeting during which President Rajapaksa and the Air Chief Naik discussed the matters related to the security of the two countries.

                 18 January 2011 | Tuesday                 

Dictator Gayoom Admits Rigging 2008 Presidential Election
Former President of Maldives, Dictator Maumoon Abdul Gayoom who ruled the country with an iron fist for 30 years has admitted to have rigged the 2008 Presidential Elections. The shameless despot had the audacity to confess his grave crime in front of his followers, who have made the pledge of allegiance to the old man after splitting away from the main opposition DRP. Dictator Gayoom said that he lost in the Presidential Election of 2008 because he tried to rig and commit electoral fraud. Dictator Gayoom said that he accepts to the wrong, but however he said that he does not want to talk of it.

Gayoom should be ashamed of himself to speak of Decentralisation- Mujtaba
Minister of State for Home Affairs, Ahmed Mujtaba has said that the Main opposition Dhivehi Rayyithunge Party’s (DRP) founding Leader and former President of Maldives Dictator Maumoon Abdul Gayoom should be ashamed of himself to speak of Decentralisation. Speaking at the public rally of the ruling Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) held at Thaa Atoll . Thimarafushi, Minister of State Mujataba said that the former President Gayoom has tried his utmost to block the way for Maldives to accept Decentralisation.

Even the President himself, during his time as an MP, suffered- Zuhair
Press Secretary at President’s Office Mohamed Zuhair has said that President Mohamed Nasheed himself, during his time as an MP, suffered. Speaking to Miadhu Daily, the Press Secretary Zuhair said that the President underscores the importance of giving safety and security to the members of the Peoples’ Majlis. Zuhair said that the President expressed his concern on the MPs Privileges Bill regarding which the Human Rights Commission and many independent establishments of the Maldives had alerted the President that the Bill has contradictions with the Constitution and if ratified could limit the rights and independence of many people and institutions. Meanwhile, President Nasheed yesterday returned Members of the People’s Majlis Privileges Bill to the People’s Majlis for reconsideration. He also noted that many people from the public had also petitioned to the President against ratifying the Bill.

The West laying the groundwork for the next Crusade?
With the news of the recent blast that had taken place in Alexandria, claiming lives and wounding dozens of Egyptian Christians, hysteria about Muslims again has gripped the Western World. With it has comes an Islamophobic Unity being mobilised in the West against the religion of Islam and its adherents.

President Returns MPs Privileges Bill, National Language (Priority) Bill and Thalassaemia Prevention Bill
President Mohamed Nasheed has today returned Members of the People’s Majlis Privileges Bill, National Language (Priority) Bill and Thalassaemia Bill to the People’s Majlis for reconsideration. All three Bills were passed by the People’s Majlis on its sitting on 28 December 2010. In separate letters sent to the Speaker of the People’s Majlis returning the three Bills, the President detailed the issues noted by the Attorney General regarding Bills. The President’s letter on the MPs Privileges Bill state that the Human Rights Commission of the Maldives had alerted the President that the Bill has contradictions with the Constitution and if ratified could limit the rights and independence of many people and institutions. He also noted that many people from the public had also petitioned to the President against ratifying the Bill. In his letter to the Speaker regarding the National Language (Priority) Bill, the President said implementing the Act, if ratified, would be costly for the state. On Thalassaemia Prevention Bill, the President’s letter noted that although the Bill states that National Thalassaemia Centre (NTC) will be abolished after the establishment of Thalassaemia and Other Haemoglobinopathies Centre following the commencement of the Act, if ratified, there is no legal ground on which NTC, which is under the Male’ Health Service Corporation, could be taken over by the government.

President Ratifies Four Bills
President Mohamed Nasheed has ratified four Bills passed by the People’s Majlis on its sitting on 28 December 2010.
Four Bills ratified by the President today are:
• Second Amendment Bill to Judges Act (Act number 13/2010)
• Second Amendment Bill to Decentralisation Act (Act number 7/2010)
• The National University Bill
• Interpretation Bill
Following ratification, four Acts have been published in the government Gazette.

Second Amendment Act to Judges Act adds an article that states the privileges and pensions that should be accorded to judges who retire honourably. Second Amendment Act to Decentralization Act states how a member elected to local councils could be removed from the council. It states that a member who was elected on a party ticket will be removed from the council if the member decided to leave the party or is dispelled from the party. National University Act states that the Maldives National University should be established within a maximum of 30 days after the commencement of the Act. It also states that the Maldives College of Higher Education will be integrated into the Maldives National University. Interpretation Act sets the legal standards and guidelines that should be adhered to in interpreting and implementing Acts and statutory regulations.

President Says Energy Efficiency Needed to Safeguard Maldives’ Development

President Nasheed says the Maldives must launch a drive for greater energy efficiency, to reduce the country’s dependence on foreign oil and safeguard its future development. The President noted that improving energy efficiency, and shifting from oil to renewable energy, reduces the country’s vulnerability to spikes in the oil price, over which it has no control. “Every time the oil price goes up, we are brought to our knees and our development is set back,” the President said. “Adopting energy efficiency does not mean giving up the good life,” the President added, noting that the Maldives can continue its development while also reducing its reliance on expensive imported oil. The President made the remarks during a speech to the South Asia Lighting Transformation Forum, which opened this morning at Trader’s Hotel, Male’. The President said the adoption of energy efficiency measures, such as the introduction of energy-saving LED lights, would help the Maldives pursue a low carbon development path. Speaking earlier in the meeting, Mohamed Aslam, Minister of Housing and Environment, said his Ministry has recently undertaken an energy efficiency drive, which has reduced the Ministry’s electricity bill by Rs30,000 per month. Minister Aslam said that many of the cost savings came from simple measures, such as switching off computers at the end of each working day and setting the air-conditioning system to a “comfortable” 24 degrees Celsius. The government recently announced plans to improve energy efficiency in ten government offices, in order to save money, improve the country’s energy security and help meet the Maldives’ 2020 carbon neutral target.

                 17 January 2011 | Monday                 

It’s not right to listen to what Gayoom says in the guise of Islam- Nazim Rashad
MP for Thulhaadhoo, Nazim Rashad has said that it is not right to listen to what the Main opposition Dhivehi Rayyithunge Party’s (DRP) founding Leader and former President of Maldives Dictator Maumoon Abdul Gayoom says in the guise of Islam. Speaking at the ruling Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP)’s public rally held at Malhosmadulu Uthuruburi on last Friday night, Thulaadhoo MP Nazim Rashad said that the statement of Dictator Gayoom that the religion of Islam can only be safeguarded in the country by only DRP winning the election is self contradictory.

US Ambassador calls on the President

United States Ambassador accredited to the Maldives Patricia A. Butenis has paid a courtesy call on President Mohamed Nasheed today. Discussions at the meeting were focused on the bilateral relations between the Maldives and the United States, as well as on ways of further enhancing cooperation between both countries at the international level. At the meeting, President Nasheed updated Ambassador Butenis on the government’s progress towards the delivery of the government’s pledges. He said he has learned in his travels to the islands that the people have been benefiting from the government’s programmes, especially the social protection programme and the government’s transport network. The meeting was attended by Special Envoy of the President Ibrahim Hussain Zaki, National Security Advisor Ameen Faisal, and Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Ahmed Naseem

Government grants returned Ambika nursing students fresh start

President Mohamed Nasheed has said that the government will intervene and help students who have returned from Ambika College, India, find alternative educational opportunities. Fifty six of the sixty seven students who recently left the Maldives to study nursing at Ambika College, Bangalore, were forced to return home after finding they did not meet the requisite criteria to enroll the College’s nursing programme. In a meeting with the returned students and their parents at the President’s Office this morning, the President expressed his regret over the incident. The President said the government will provide further education to the students who want to become nurses, so they can attain the qualifications needed to join a nursing college. He added that the government would help find alternative higher education courses for students who did not wish to continue nursing studies. At today’s meeting, the students and parents thanked the President for personally intervening to resolve this matter.  The meeting was attended by Minister of Health and Family Dr Aminath Jameel, Minister of State for Health and Family Abdul Bari Abdulla, Deputy Minister of Health and Family Lubna Zahir Hussain and Deputy Minister of State for North Province Aminath Jameel.

Wild floods hit thousands more Australians
Australia's flood crisis shifted to the country's far south on Sunday, with more than 1,400 homes swamped by a record deluge as the toll mounted in the reeling northeast amid scenes of devastation. Dozens of towns braced for unprecedented river levels in Victoria state, where emergency officials told AFP more than 1,400 homes were waterlogged and 3,500 people had fled, just days after the flooding emergency peaked in northeastern Queensland.

Mountain Glacier Melt To Contribute 12 Centimetres To World Sea-Level Increases By 2100
Melt off from small mountain glaciers and ice caps will contribute about 12 centimetres to world sea-level increases by 2100, according to UBC research published this week in Nature Geoscience.

A muddle through year ahead for investors
Proposed changes to the visa on arrival facility in Colombo for all but citizens of Maldives and Singapore is just the sort of tonic one needs at the beginning of a year to remind investors the difficulties associated with forecasting future returns. As expected the tourism industry has reacted noisily and requested the government to reconsider. On the upside, irrespective of whether the visa is introduced or not the sector should hold onto decent earnings for the year, unless there is a natural disaster or an unexpected rise in the price of oil. The price of oil is well and truly back on the radar after crude flirted above the $US 90 mark recently. Holders of Sri Lankan government bonds should cheer the visa-fee move as an added revenue stream, without raising local taxes.

The end of Indian hegemony in the Maldives
Maldives is a country that is 100% Muslim. After Saudi Arabia, the Maldives is the only nation that has a 100-percent Muslim population. More than 300,000 people in the Maldives, an Asian Ocean archipelago with 1,192 islets. The country is is located 435 miles southwest of Sri Lanka and all its nationals are Sunni. Nearly one-third of the Maldivians live in the capital city of Malé. Maldives is the richest country in South Asia in terms of GDP per head. The Maldives has widespread internet access and the people are very aware of world events. feelings of solidarity with the Palestinians and the Kashmiris run deep.