It seems that Gayyoom has made a deal with the gov’t to destroy DRP- DRP
The main opposition Dhivehi Rayyithunge Party (DRP) has said that the party’s Honorary Leader and Former President of the Maldives, Maumoon Abdul Gayyoom has apparently made a deal with the current government to destroy DRP.

None spoke against party system more than Gayyoom- Nasheed
President Mohamed Nasheed has said that he has not seen any one who spoke and wrote against party system more than former President Maumoon Abdul Gayyoom. Speaking at the rally of ruling Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) held at Thoddoo, President Nasheed said that although he does not like to speak against Former President, Gayyoom’s recent actions force him speak against him.

Those who accuse me of being a bad leader later say that they didn’t intend to mean as such- Gayyoom
Former President Maumoon Abdul Gayyoom has said that some of those who accuse of being the worst leader ever later on claim that they did not intend to mean as such. Speaking at the ceremony held to celebrate the 7th anniversary of the reform agenda initiated by Gayyoom, he said that some of those politicians who accuse him of all sorts of bad things later on claim that they did not intended any of that but only did so to please the government. He said that the government compels them to make all those statements against him. Gayyoom said that most of the people still with him and support him. However he said that they are compelled not to meet him because of the fear mongering tactics of the government. Moreover, Gayyoom said that there is no true democracy in the country still. He said the people still live in fear.

Commonwealth workshop to promote dialogue between government and opposition
Members of Parliament and other senior politicians from ruling and opposition parties from Commonwealth countries in Asia will participate in the first workshop of its kind in Maldives, jointly organised by the Commonwealth Secretariat and the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA).

President visits Ukulhas and meets Island Council
President Mohamed Nasheed has yesterday visited Ukulhas of North Ari Atoll and met the Ukulhas Island Council. The President’s visit to Ukulhas is part of his visits to the islands to discuss the delivery of government services and programmes through the councils following the election and establishment of island councils. Discussions during the meeting with the Island Councils were generally focused on strengthening delivery of public health services through the council. Following the establishment of island councils, public health services were the first of government services in the islands to be decentralized. Public health functions previously under the Ministry of Health and Family have now been mandated to island councils. At the meeting, speaking education in the island, the President urged the Council to work closely with the island’s school board and management to improve the standard of education in the island. The President also informed the Council on the government’s programmes allocated for Ukulhas. During the visit, the President visited Ukulhas health centre and school.

Gov’t welcomes Majlis decision not to criminalise children
The government has welcomed the People’s Majlis’ decision not to unnecessarily criminalise children, by reducing the age at which a person is considered an adult offender from 18 years to 15. Members of parliament, in a debate on 6 June, rejected amendments that would have seen children aged 15, 16 and 17 treated as adults by the police and the courts. “The experience from many developed countries such as Sweden and Australia proves that locking children up in an adult prison doesn’t reduce crime. Rather, it tends to turn children into professional, life-long criminals because they learn the tricks of the criminal trade from adult inmates,” said Press Secretary Mohamed Zuhair. Zuhair said that countries that treat child offenders as special cases, and run specific programmes that return children to the correct path, have been best able to reduce crime. Zuhair added that the Maldives is running correctional programmes specifically for young offenders, aimed at rehabilitating wayward children to play a constructive role in society. The Press Secretary also noted that a number of criminal justice bills remain pending in the People’s Majlis which, if passed, would help to reduce crime.

President makes changes to the Board of Directors of MHSC
President Mohamed Nasheed has changed the Board of Directors of Male’ Health Services Corporation. The changes brought to the Board include appointment of Ms Catherine Jane Waters as the Managing Director of the Corporation and appointment of Ms Mariyam Shenin to the Board. Following the two new appointments, the Corporation’s Board of Directors is: Dr Abdul Azeez Yoosuf (Chairman); Catherine Jane Waters (Managing Director); Mariyam Rasheeda; Mariyam Suzana; Ibrahim Zahir; Mariyam Shenin and Thaha Mohamed.

President makes senior gov’t appointments
President Mohamed Nasheed has appointed Ali Shujau as the Registrar of Companies. Shujau was previously in the post of Deputy Registrar of Companies. The President has also appointed Aishath Shan Shakir as the Deputy High Commissioner at the Maldivian High Commission in Malaysia.

Britain supports the Maldives
British officials from Colombo yesterday concluded a visit to Malé, part of the UK's ongoing close engagement with the Maldives. Second Secretary, Political and Public Diplomacy, Dominic Williams MBE; British Council Director, Tony Reilly OBE; and BHC Maldives Political Officer, Shahla Ali, visited to interview applicants for the prestigious Chevening scholarship programme.

President visits Rasdhoo
President Mohamed Nasheed has visited Rasdhoo of North Ari Atoll. During the visit, the President reviewed the status of health and education infrastructure of the island visiting AA Atoll Hospital and AA Atoll Education Centre in Rasdhoo. In the hospital, the President discussed with the management and the members of the Island Council ways of improving the quality of healthcare available in the island. Visiting the school, the President urged the Council to work with the school board and management to improve the standard of education in the school. The President also inspected the work-in-progress of the island’s harbour. Construction of the harbour is scheduled to complete by the end of this month. The President arrived in Thoddoo of North Ari Atoll after concluding his visit to Rasdhoo.

State Minister meets the Honourary Consul of the Maldives in Italy
Aslam Shakir, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs met Dr. Luca Fiormente, the Honourary Consul of the Republic of Maldives in Italy at a meeting held at the Ministry yesterday. During the meeting Dr. Fiormente shared details of his work, informing the State Minister the progress of the bone marrow transplant project being carried out under an MoU signed between the Government of Maldives and Region Abruzzo of Italy.

RCA gives dates to Maldives for Ramadan
The UAE Red Crescent Authority (RCA) has given 35 tonnes of dates to Sri Lanka and 10 tonnes to the Maldives to be distributed before the holly month of Ramadan. The UAE embassy in Colombo handed over the consignment to the Department of Islamic Affairs of Sri Lanka for further distribution to mosques as a regular practice every year. Meanwhile in Maldives dates have been given to the Ministry of Islamic Affairs. (WAM/SS/AM)

                 8 June 2011 | Wednesday                 

Some MPs like Mr. Makhloof are just putting an act to portray themselves as working for the people- Riyaz Rasheed
Vilufushi MP, Riyaz Rasheed has said that there are some MPs like Mr. Makhloof who just put an act to portray themselves as working for the best interest of the people by proposing different bills. Speaking at yesterday’s session of the Peoples’ Majlis, Riyas Rasheed said that these MPs by proposing these odd bills are just putting up an act to show the people that they are concerned.

All should work collectively to combat illegal migrant issue- Rishwan
Deputy Commissioner of Police, Mohamed Rishwan has said that all should work collectively to combat the illegal migration foreign workers in Maldives. Speaking at the Rajjemiadhu show at the local TV Channel MNBC One, DCP Rishwan said that the illegal migration has reached such an alarming level as it is now because of the lack of adequate work by the different institutions concerned.

Obtaining Maldivian work visa before arrival to be made mandatory for Bangladeshi workers
The Cabinet has yesterday decided to make obtaining a Maldivian Work Visa before arrival in the Maldives mandatory for all Bangladeshi workers to be employed in the Maldives. The Cabinet decided to make arrangements for the High Commission of the Maldives in Dhaka, Bangladesh to issue work visa to Bangladeshi workers bound for the Maldives. It was also decided that Bangladeshis who apply for Work Visa at the Maldivian High Commission in Bangladesh should be approved by relevant Bangladeshi authorities.

IOM delegation concludes their visit to the Maldives
The scoping mission from the International Organization for Migration (IOM) delegation has concluded its three day visit to the Maldives yesterday. The delegation was headed by Mr. Federico Soda, Head of Labour and Human Development Division of the Department of Migration Management of IOM based in Geneva, Switzerland accompanied by Ms. Rabab Fatima, Regional Representative of IOM for South Asia based in Dhaka, Bangladesh.

India allows over 1 L tn of flour export to Maldives till 2014
India has allowed export of over 1 lakh tonnes of wheat flour to Maldives till 2013-2014 fiscal, under the bilateral trade pact. "Now, the quantity of wheat flour is permitted to be exported for the years 2011-12, 2012-13 and 2013-14 to Maldives under the Bilateral Trade Agreement between India and the Republic of Maldives through (state-owned trading firm) MMTC," the Director General Foreign Trade (DGFT) said in a notification.

First-of-its-kind fluorescence map offers a new view of the world's land plants
Scientists from NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Md., have produced groundbreaking global maps of land plant fluorescence, a difficult-to-detect reddish glow that leaves emit as a byproduct of photosynthesis. While researchers have previously mapped how ocean-dwellingphytoplankton fluoresce, the new maps are the first to focus on land vegetation and to cover the entire globe.

Japan to report nuclear 'melt-throughs' to UN
Japan in a report prepared for the UN nuclear watchdog on Tuesday said for the first time that fuel in its crippled Fukushima plant may have melted through three reactor core vessels.

                 7 June 2011 | Tuesday                 

Israeli Airline to begin flights to Maldives on December
-More than 500 Maldivians travelled to Israel this year
Minister of Transport and Communication Mohamed Adhil Saleem has revealed that the Israeli national airline El Al's Sun D'Or will begin flying to Maldives on December of this year. Minister Adhil said that the Israeli Airline requested for the permission to begin chartered flights to Maldives. Adhil said that the airline will begin operation as per the rules and regulations since none from the powers of the state has prohibited these flights.

In 2014 the people will realize that I shifted sides for the good of the people- Ali Waheed
Former Deputy Leader of the main opposition Dhivehi Rayyithunge Party (DRP), Ali Waheed who shifted sides and joined the ruling Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) has said that in the year 2014 the people will realize that his decision to shift sides was for the good of the people when the earnings of the people are increased with the efforts of the government to stabilize the economy of the Maldives. Speaking at the Peoples’ Majlis yesterday, Ali Waheed said that the people will accept the change the government has brought in 2014 when they witness the fruits of that change. He said that the people will come to realize that he did not make an irresponsible step by switching parties from DRP to MDP. Ali Waheed said that all members should cooperate with the government in the efforts to stabilize the economy of the country instead of fighting and quarreling with each other in the Majlis. Meanwhile, with more opposition MPs joining the ruling MDP, the party appears to be heading for a very comfortable majority in the Peoples Majlis. While the main opposition DRP is in disarray, all advantages are pouring into President Mohamed Nasheed’s MDP. Apart from Ali Waheed, Maafannu hulhangu MP Abdullah Abdur Raheem also switched parties from the main opposition DRP to ruling MDP.

Australia simplifies the Tourist Visa process for Maldivians
Government of Australia has decided to simplify the tourist visa process for citizens of the Maldives starting from 1st of July 2011. It was informed in a letter send to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ahmed Naseem by the Australian High Commissioner to the Maldives,. Kathy Klugman.

Taj Exotica celebrates World Environment Day
Taj Exotica Resort & Spa, Maldives is the first resort to have received Earth Check Silver Status Certification. In keeping with its environment friendly practices and support the resort celebrated the World Environment Day 2011 with an enthusiastic three day program. World Environment day is one of the most important tools of the United Nation to make people aware of the worldwide environmental crisis and draw the attention and action of the world at large. 5th June is celebrated as the World Environment day.

                 5 June 2011 | Sunday                 

Remarking on how to deliver verdicts will draw us backward- Gasim
Maamigili MP Gasim Ibrahim has said that making laws to legally influence the Judges and remarking on how to deliver verdicts will draw the country backwards. Gasim said this while debating the proposal of Galolhu Dhekunu MP Ahmed Mahloof to annul the right to silence. Gasim said that the country will be drawn backwards to the year 1932 if the amendment of Mahloof is to be passed. “In view of the current situation we opt to bring legal amendments. Therefore, I request the respected members of this Majlis to remove those clauses that includes making remarks on the Judges and other such issues,” he said. Gasim emphasized the importance of amending the constitution to reform the rifts for the service of the people and country. But he said that the amendments should not be proposed in a way to take away the individual rights to freedom of the people.

Gov’t confident tax reforms will improve local businesses- Nasheed
President Mohamed Nasheed has asserted that the government was confident of the advantages of its proposed tax reforms and new revenue measures for local business. Highlighting the monetary and fiscal reforms proposed by the government in this week´s radio address, the President said the current situation was caused by considerably higher state expenditure that continued exceed revenue.

India Contributes to SAARC Coastal Zone Management Centre.
Yesterday during a call on meeting with Ahmed Naseem, Minister of Foreign Affairs, in Foreign Affairs Office, Dnyaneshwar M.Mulay, the High Commissioner of India handed over a cheque amounting US $ 46,272.65 towards India’s annual contribution to SAARC Coastal Zone Management Centre, Male. While receiving the cheque , Naseem thanked the High Commissioner for India’s contribution. Aslam Mohamed Shakir, MOS of Ministry of Foreign Affairs, was also present along with foreign Officials. India is providing major assistance for the centre and has so far provided US$1million and US$ 49,508.91 towards the centre in addition to the latest assistance.

World Bank supports Social protection programs for the poor in Maldives
The World Bank today approved US$12 million in additional financing and restructuring of the Maldives Pension and Social Protection Administration (PSPA) Project to improve delivery of social protection benefits to the poor and strengthen the national pension plan. The original PSPA project, launched in 2009, saw the implementation of the country’s first pension law and the creation of an entire pension program, from governance to record-keeping. The impressive progress achieved by the original program has spurred the Bank to extend the additional financing, which effectively expands the scope of the project. The additional financing is also in recognition of important new Government initiatives to reform the country’s health insurance program and put in place appropriate mechanisms for determining eligibility for various social protection programs.

UN special rapportuer emphasises importance of judicial accountability in Maldives
UN's Special Rapporteur on the Independence of Judges and Lawyers, Ms. Gabriela Knaul, today responded to a statement on the judicial sector in the Maldives by saying that, while the independence of the judiciary is crucial in the context of the country's democratic transition, that does not mean that judges, lawyers or prosecutors, or the judiciary itself should be unaccountable or be immune from the law.

                 1 June 2011 | Wednesday                 

Dictator Gayyoom he is the Leader of his own Z-DRP
-Council passes to change Z-DRP name
Former President Dictator Maumoon Abdul Gayyoom has taken over the leadership of Z-DRP faction of the main opposition Dhivehi Rayyithunge Party (DRP). In a council meeting of the faction held at Nasandhura Palace Hotel yesterday night, Honorary Leader of the DRP Gayyoom took over the faction leadership temporarily. The faction in a press release said that Gayyoom will be the leader of the faction up until a leader is elected democratically. The press release said that Dictator Gayyoom proposed the faction council to change the name of the faction since it is restricted to one person. The statement said that the council all agreed to the proposal and passed to change the name of the faction. The statement of the faction also noted that the DRP Honorary Leader Gayyoom welcomed the faction as a movement to rectify the internal affairs of the main opposition DRP.

Government inclined to grant permission to Israel’s national El Al airline-Zuhair
Press Secretary of the President, Mohamed Zuhair has said that the government was inclined to grant permission to the Israeli national airline, El Al. According to the local news agency Minivannews, Zuhair said that “despite the reservations of the Adhaalath Party and other religious groups, El Al flies to many Arab capitals and is even accessible to those people claiming to work against Israel, who seem to have no objections to it.” Minivannews said that Press Secretary however acknowledged that permitting the airline to fly the Maldives represented “a political obstacle”, but suggested it was “one for the Adhaalath party to explain.” The news paper quoted the Press Secretary as saying that “Maldivians have not been directly affected by any actions taken by Israel, and the Maldives is in fact involved in peace initiatives undertaken in the Middle East by the Maldivian government.” Zuhair was also quoted to have said that he don’t see the justification for not accepting an Israeli airline that is accepted by Arab states claiming to be victims of Israel.

If DRP internal conflicts elongate then will consider changing the party- Thulusdhoo Branch
Thulusdhoo Branch of the main opposition Dhivehi Rayyithunge Party (DRP) has warned that they will consider changing the party if the internal conflicts within DRP elongates. In a media statement signed by the Deputy President of the Thulusdhoo Branch of DRP, Aslam Moosa, the branch called Former President Maumoon Abdul Gayyoom work to solve the problem instead of putting the blame on each other. The Thulusdhoo Branch of DRP said that the members can no longer watch members leaving the party after the frustrations over the fuming internal conflict within the party. They said that if the conflict is elongated without it being solved then they would have to consider changing their ideology too. The statement said that they appeal both the party Leader and Honorary Leader to solve the factionalism within the ranks of the party.

3 perpetrators of 2003 Maafushi Jail shooting incident jailed
The three men convicted for the perpetrating the 2003 Maafushi Jail shooting incident have been jailed yesterday. Speaking to the media, State Minister of Ministry of Home Affairs Mohamed Naeem said that although 13 men were sentenced to death, the former President Maumoon Abdul Gayyoom changed the death sentence to 25 years in prison.

Government to waive import duty on environmentally friendly vehicles
The Cabinet has yesterday decided to waive import duties on electric and renewable energy powered vehicles to boost the government’s initiative to promote the import and use of environmentally friendly products.

MEMP meets the Minister and Senior Officials of Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture
Representatives from Maldives Environmental Management Project met the Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture Dr Mariyam Zulfa and senior officials of the ministry on the 25th of May.

Maldives FM urges Dhaka to combat illegal migration
Dhaka needs to combat illegal migration of its workers to Male as thousands of Bangladeshi labourers have landed in the small island nation with false job documents, foreign minister of the Maldives said Monday.

The Six-Day War and a Possible Resolution
President Obama's recent statements about using the 1967 borders as the basis for a settlement of the Israeli/Palestinian conflict sparked strong reactions. These reactions also show that many people are terribly misinformed about who started the Six Day War.

Centara Maldives offers all inclusive package
Forimmediaterelease.net) Centara Grand Island Resort&Spa Maldives is offering a fully inclusive package until October 31 that includes accommodation in a Beach Suite, three meals per day, and an open-bar service, starting at US$620 net per room night at a Beach Suite; minimum 3 consecutive night stay is required. The resort is also offering its Sea Salt Degustation Dinner, in which a seven-course meal is served exclusively to intimate tables of two set directly on the beach, at a price of US$190 per person, not including service charge and tax. The fully inclusive package includes daily buffet breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Dinner is served at a choice of three venues, with a themed buffet at Reef Restaurant and changing dinner menus at Lotus Thai restaurant and Azzuri Mare, the Italian restaurant.

Etihad launches Facebook page with promotion
Etihad Airways, the national airline of the UAE, has launched its Facebook fan page with a major competition promoting new services to Malé, capital of the Maldives. The winner of the promotion, titled ‘Escape to Paradise,’ will receive roundtrip airfares for two on the inaugural flight to Malé, transfers and four nights’ villa accommodation at SixSenses Laamu Maldives with full board, a company statement said. The ‘Escape to Paradise’ promotion involves fans completing a Facebook quiz to determine how romantic they are, it added. Users will receive fun, instant feedback from the quiz, as well as be entered to win the grand prize trip, according to the statement. The competition will be available for participation and entry through to July 31 exclusively on Etihad Airways’ Facebook page.