President’s Weekly Radio Address: President Marks out Certain Challenges Faced in the Sustainable Attempt to Combat Drug Epidemics in the Maldives
The President has marked out a number of certain challenges faced in the sustainable attempt to combat drug epidemics in the Maldives. In his weekly radio address today, the President revealed these challenges, speaking from the island of Dhidhoo on his current visit to the Atolls of Haa Alif and Haa Dhaalu. Speaking in this regard, the President noted that one of the five key promises of the government is to reduce drug abuse in the country and expand the ways by which treatment and rehabilitation are provided to recovering addicts. The President also mentioned that many alleged users and dealers of drugs have been jailed since 2008 under several nationwide operations conducted to identify the main leaders of drug trade in the Maldives. He further revealed that 15 offenders convicted of drug trafficking have been released into the society prior to the date of prosecution, and that sadly the date is not even confirmed yet. He expressed his hope that these offenders would soon be put on trial. In his weekly radio address today, the President also drew on the importance of celebrating ‘World Elders’ Day’ tomorrow. In view of the slogan of this year’s ‘World Elders’ Day’- ‘Challenges and Prospects of an Increasing Ageing Population’, the President expressed his joy that the ageing population in the Maldives today enjoys many health and social benefits provided as a result of governmental policies, notably the ‘Madhana’ network. The President also stressed on the importance of maintaining good personal hygiene with increasing age, as this would reduce the incidences of several chronic diseases and long-term ailments in the future.

President Concludes Trip to Thiladhunmathi Atoll
President Mohamed Nasheed, has returned to Male’ after concluding his tour of some islands of North and South of Thiladhunmathi Atoll. The last stop during his visit was Nolhivaranfaru of Haa Alifu atoll. On arrival to Nolhivaranfaru this afternoon, the President met with the island council and briefed on the government’s developmental projects planned for the island. President Nasheed also said that the government seeks the support of the council in executing the government’s schemes. President Mohamed Nasheed has, inaugurated the government’s skills development programme “Hunaru” in Dhiddhoo of Haa Alifu atoll. The first course to be conducted in Dhidhdhoo, under “Hunaru” is an Electrician Course. Speaking to the participants of the course, the President highlighted on the elevated unemployment rate of Maldivian youth today, noting that the government’s goal was to provide them with the skills and training required for in the job market. President Nasheed also said that “Hunaru” programme would be conducted in all the regions of the country, and that as a result it would contribute to the development of the islands. In his speech, the President advised all the participants of the Electricians Course in Dhiddhoo to be diligent during their training period, and to be regular in attendance.

Kulhudhuffushi Regional Hospital Handed over to ProMedKlinik of Germany
President Mohamed Nasheed has said that the purpose for the initiation of the government’s health insurance scheme “Madhana” was to provide quality social security and affordable healthcare for all the people of the country. The President made this remrk while speaking at the handing over ceremony of Haa Dhaalu Kulhudhuffushi regional hospital to ProMedKlinik of Germany. President Nasheed said that the government targets at providing all health services available in the country to all citizen in a cost effective way, and at the same time work at improving those services. He also said that starting January next year, the government will provide health insurance for all the people of the Maldives under “Madhana”. President Nasheed noted that sustainable development can only be achieved by making sure that all agencies were run economically and cost effectively. Speaking in this regard, the President said that the 7 Health Service Corporations of the country should carry out their works in the same way, in administering the respective hospitals and health centres under their jurisdiction. The agreement for handing over Haa Dhaalu Kulhudhuffushi Regional Hospital to ProMedKlinik of Germany was signed by the Managing Director of Upper North Health Service Corporation Badruddeen Hassan, and the President of ProMedKlinik Norbert Seis.

Dead Sea researchers discover freshwater springs and numerous micro-organisms
Ben-Gurion University of the Negev (BGU) researchers have discovered deep freshwater springs on the Dead Sea floor that feed into this rapidly dwindling body of water. In the first-ever Dead Sea diving expedition, the researchers also found new types of micro-organisms growing around fissures in the sea floor as part of a collaboration with the Max Planck Institute of Marine Microbiology scientists in Germany.

EU warns Italy: clean up trash or face fine
With six million tonnes of trash piled up in temporary storage sites in the Naples area, the European Commission is giving Italy an ultimatum -- clean up your act or face a major fine. The European Union's executive arm sent a final warning to Italian authorities demanding that they implement waste management measures ordered by Europe's top court back in December 2010.

                 27 September 2011 | Tuesday                 

Cabinet Decides to Mark Republic Day at a Special Ceremony in Addu City
The cabinet has today decided to commemorate this year’s Republic Day, at a special function to be held at 6 in the morning of 11th November in Addu City, as deliberated at last week’s cabinet meeting. President Mohamed Nasheed will address the nation at the function, and attend a special flag-hoisting ceremony in Addu City. At a separate ceremony to be held in Male’ on a later date, the President will award the recipients of National Awards of Honour and National Awards of Recognition. The date for the ceremony is to be announced later. At today’s cabinet meeting, members also decided on the Maldives’ participation in the International Centre for the Study of the Preservation and Restoration of Cultural Property (ICCROM). Members of the cabinet agreed that the participation of the Maldives in the organisation would be beneficial to the protection and preservation of cultural assets of the country. The ICCROM is an intergovernmental orgnisation dedicated to the conservation of cultural heritage.

“Our Goal is to be Exemplary to the World, on Growth and Development of a Country not Depending on its Oil Usage”-President Nasheed
President Mohamed Nasheed has said that our goal is to become an example to the world, on growth and development of a country not depending on its oil usage while renewable energy being the more economic option. In his speech delivered at the Inaugural ceremony of Renewable Energy through Feed-In-Tariff in the Maldives, the President said that not only the charge of electricity would be minimised by shifting from oil fuel to renewable energy sources, but the expenses spent to buy the oil fuel would also be reduced. Referring to the hike in oil prices, President Nasheed highlighted on the importance of generating power through sources other than oil fuel, noting that more than 31% of expenses spent on industrial needs in the Maldives, was spent on electric costs. At the ceremony, an agreement on power purchase of renewable energy was signed between the State Electric Company Ltd (STELCO) and Kaimoo Travels and Hotel

Statement from Press Secretary Mohamed Zuhair regarding recent media allegations concerning Mr. Sunanda Deshapriya
Statement from Press Secretary Zuhair: The President of the Maldives would like to express his good wishes to all Tamil people. The Tamil people have always been like brothers and sisters to Maldivians. The President would like to see peace and harmony in our region and has expressed his desire for all people to live peacefully together.

                 26 September 2011 | Monday                 

Vice President Pledges Support to Future Palestinian State in UN General Assembly Speech
The Vice President has pledged the Maldives steadfast support to the Palestinian people and to the creation of an independent Palestinian state. “The Maldives stands shoulder to shoulder with the Palestinian people and we believe that time for Palestine to join the international family of nations is long overdue,” said the Vice President in his speech at the 66th Session of the UN General Assembly. During his speech, the Vice President welcomed the Palestinian President’s application for statehood at the UN. The Vice President added that he would like to see State of Palestine co-existing peacefully beside the State of Israel. The Vice President underscored that the ‘demands for human rights and democratic values are universal’ and therefore the international community should support the rights of the Palestinian people. The Vice President went on to say that the Maldives was determined to protect human rights, both domestically and internationally. He expressed pleasure in the Maldives’ recent accession to the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court. “We are pleased to join a growing alliance of states which stands firmly against those who believe they can violate human rights with impunity,” the Vice President said. In his speech, the Vice President also called on the international community to conclude a planet-saving deal on climate change, building on the successes of the Copenhagen and Cancun climate summits. The Vice President also called on the UN to give Small Island Developing States special status and assistance.

Amana Takaful Maldives director resigns weeks before IPO
Director of the Maldives branch of Amana Takaful, Hassan Ali Manik, has resigned his post scarcely a week after the company announced the launch of a landmark IPO on the local stock exchange. Manik’s resignation will take effect from the 21st of September. In a statement, Amana Takaful said Manik was tendered his resignation “citing business and personal commitments”. The company did not announce a replacement. Sharia-compliant insurance company Amana Takaful will issue 800,000 shares in an initial public offering (IPO) on the Maldives Stock Exchange (MSE). In a first for the country, 20 percent of the shares will be made available to expatriates and 15 percent to overseas applicants. The remaining 65 percent will be offered to Maldivians.The Sri Lanka-based company hopes to generate Rf16 million (US$1.4 million) in proceeds through the IPO, by selling shares at a low issue price of Rf20 (bundled in packages of 25). CEO of Amana Takaful Maldives, Hareez Sulaiman, said the IPO would “change the way the Maldivian Stock Exchange operates as this will be the first time that Maldivians, expatriates and foreigners will be able to purchase securities in a Maldivian listed company.” The decision to price the shares low “at a price affordable to any average Maldivian” also promised to “be a kick starter for an active stock market which may benefit the entire economy at large,” the company said in an accompanying statement. (Minivan News)

Jumeirah Frankfurt hosts official opening party
Jumeirah Group's first hotel in continental Europe, Jumeirah Frankfurt, hosted an official opening party with over 300 VIPs on 22 September. The guest of honour was the Mayor of Frankfurt, Petra Roth - pictured cutting the ribbon with Jumeirah Frankfurt General Manager Dagmar Woodward and Jumeirah Executive Chairman Gerald Lawless. Also present was Fadel Al Ali, Executive Chairman of Dubai Holding Commercial Operations Group and a member of the Board of Jumeirah Group.

                 24 September 2011 | Saturday                 

LEADERS LAUNCH NEW SHARK CONSERVATION EFFORT

Leaders from eight countries launched an initiative today to prevent the extinction of sharks, symbolizing the latest development in the growing movement to safeguard the ocean’s top predator. Members of the coalition committed to a declaration supporting the development of sanctuaries that end commercial shark fishing in their national waters.

President Launches “Marrybrown” in Male’

President Mohamed Nasheed has today launched an outlet of the International Fast-Food Chain “Marrybrown” in Male’. The restaurant was established by one of the leading business ventures in the Maldives, Lily International Private Limited. Speaking at the ceremony, the President expressed his gratitude to Lily International Private Limited, for their continuous contribution to the development of the business industry in the Maldives. He also noted that the company’s contribution has brought much growth to the Maldivian tourism industry since the mid-1980s. In his speech, President Nasheed highlighted on the changing lifestyle of Maldivians, noting that businesses like Marrybrown are part of the change needed in the Maldives today. The President also conveyed his hopes for more such service enterprises to be established in the country. He said that the economic policy of the country is to create an environment where all businesses compete in an open market. He also informed that the necessary legal amendments were being brought about to create such a business environment, specifically the state income laws and tax laws.

Researchers analyze the evolving human relationship with fire
Humanity's relationship to fire - including wildfires, burning of fossil fuels, controlled burns, and human-caused fire - is the focus of a report by an international team of scientists. The team was organized by UC Santa Barbara's National Center for Ecological Analysis and Synthesis (NCEAS).

Plants create a water reserve in the soil
Experiments performed at the Paul Scherrer Institute (PSI) reveal that a zone of higher water concentration exists around the roots of a plant. It has long been known that roots alter the soil in their immediate vicinity, where other microorganisms live and the chemical composition is altered compared to that further away from the roots.

                 23 September 2011 | Friday                 

President’s Weekly Radio Address: President Speaks on Electric Power Utility System in the Country
President Mohamed Nasheed has said that distribution of electric power in the islands have become much easier than before, and are provided to the people at cheaper rates.
In his weekly radio address given this morning, the President noted how in the 1980s the electric utility work began as a very small entity in the islands, and that the powerhouses that distributed electricity then, were not planned or organized efficiently. President Nasheed underscored that as soon as the government had come to know of the state of the powerhouses and electric power utilities, government began its work to provide power supply in as many islands, at affordable rates. For this, the president said, he has established 7 utilities companies, and handed over the powerhouses of the islands to these companies. He also assured that the government will put in every effort to provide electric power supply for the people in a cost- effective way. Highlighting on the efforts taken by the government in minimizing State Electric Company (STELCO)’s debt, which had been accumulating since 2005, the President noted that the debt has been cleared in 2010 and STELCO has now begun to profit. President Nasheed also detailed on the subsidies paid to the people by the government for power supply bills, adding that the services provided by utilities companies are increasing everyday.

Maldives becomes the 118th State to join the Rome Statute system
On 21 September 2011, the government of the Republic of Maldives deposited its instrument of accession of the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC) to the UN. The Statute will enter into force for Maldives on 1 December 2011, bringing the total number of States Parties to the Rome Statute to 118. The Maldives will also be the 17th State Party from the Asian region. The ICC President, Judge Sang-Hyun Song, welcomed the accession by Maldives, saying: “In March this year I had the pleasure to exchange views on the ICC with representatives from the Maldives at the Asia-Pacific Parliamentary Consultation in Kuala Lumpur, and I was encouraged by the resolve they showed for moving the accession process forward in their country. I am truly delighted that those efforts have now fully materialised, and the Maldives becomes yet another state strengthening Asian participation in the Rome Statute system of international justice”.

Sir Richard Branson to Speak at Six Senses Slow Life Symposium in Maldives
Sir Richard Branson and American actor and environmental campaigner, Edward Norton, are among the pantheon of global environmental leaders who are set to speak at the third annual Six Senses Slow Life Symposium, to be held at Soneva Fushi in the Maldives. The conference will run over four days between 6-9 October 2011 and will bring together many of the leading minds in the fields of business, sustainability and environmental issues with globally-influential policy-makers and heads of state.

Maldives Mandates At Least 60% Its Electricity Must Be From Solar Power By 2020
Being among the world's lowest-lying nations and therefore among the first to most acutely feel the effects of climate change, the Maldives has been in the forefront of climate activism and making as quick a transition as possible to renewable energy. The latest announcement, made in in New York City during Climate Week, is that at least 60% of the nation's electricity must come from solar power by 2020. In addition to that mandatory target, the Maldives' new Renewable Energy Investment Framework says about 80% of its electricity can come from renewable sources more broadly, without increasing the price of power. This would come from the aforementioned solar power, wind power, batteries and biomass (where that's going to come from in a fairly remote Indian island nation is a question mark). The plan envisions retaining diesel generators for reserve power. The Maldives maintains its goal of becoming the world's first carbon neutral nation by 2020.

Maldives: No, Our Country Isn't Underwater
Atlas makers have decided to omit the Maldives from future editions because global warming threatens to submerge the island nation, a climate-change skeptic Telegraphwriter claimed in a satirical column. Sound ludicrous? Not to some newspapers and opposition politicians in the Maldives, who took the bogus story seriously and demanded that their government take a stand, the BBC reports. The Maldives' top diplomat in the UK has written to the newspaper asking for an apology to be published, along with a clarification. The people of the Maldives aren't lacking a sense of humor, the diplomat says, but the satirical article went too far when it suggested that the country was hyping the danger of rising seas in an effort to "blackmail the international community into giving the Maldives more aid money."

                 20 September 2011 | Tuesday                 

Religious Unit Regulations gazetted after 16 months

The Religious Unity Regulations has been published in the government’s gazette yesterday. The Religious Unity Regulations which was produced by the Ministry of Islamic Affairs with the help of the Attorney General’s Office and Maldives Police Service was first sent to the President’s Office on 6 May 2010. And on the same day, the Minister of Islamic Affairs, Dr. Abdul Majeed Abdul Baari told the media that he hopes that the regulations will be published in the government’s gazette within 10 months. However, it was gazette yesterday, after 1 year and 4 months and 12 days later.

Thursday’s event is a publicity stunt of PPM-Azim

Medhu Henveiru MP, Ali Azim has said that the registration drive of Former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom’s new party, the Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM), held at Dharubaaruge convention center on Thursday was a publicity stunt. Ali Azim said that the registration drive was held at Dharubaaruge convention center to mislead the public and the media because the PPM did not attract people as they hoped they would. Azim said that although PPM earlier “boasted that more than 15000 are ready to join the party even on the first day”, only a few people signed. The Medhu Henveiru MP said that the publicity stunt was staged to trick the people into believing that more and more people are joining the party. And he said that they wanted to delude the people into changing their minds regarding Gayoom’s new party.

Aslam delivers Keynote Address Regional Conference on Policy Responses to Climate Induced Migration

Minister Aslam delivers keynote address at the Regional Conference on Policy Responses to Climate Induced Migration in Asia and the Pacific. Environment Minister Aslam in his keynote address at the conference on climate induced migration highlights strong economic development and good governance as key to mitigation against impacts of climate change in most vulnerable countries such as the Maldives.

Aslam Meets with the Vice President of ADB

Minister of Housing and Environment Mr. Mohamed Aslam has met with the Vice President of the Asian Development Bank (ADB), Dr. Ursula Schafer-Preuss at its Manila Headquarters. Minister briefed the Vice President of the ongoing programs assisted by the ADB and the thanked the ADB for its continued support for the Maldives in particular in the areas of climate change and renewable energy development in the Maldives.

We will stand shoulder-to-shoulder with Palestine at the UN – Naseem

Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Maldives, Ahmed Naseem yesterday reiterated the Maldives strong support for UN recognition of Palestinian statehood. He was speaking following the announcement by Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas that he will apply to the UN Security Council for full UN membership of a Palestinian state. The Maldives has been one of the leading voices over recent months calling for the issue of statehood to be brought before the UN. The Minister expressed this position during his recent visit to Palestine and Israel.

Defence Minister Meets Indian defence minister

Minister of Defence and National Security honorable Tholhath Ibrahim has paid a courtesy call on Indian Defence Minister Mr.AK Antony during his visit to India. At the meeting, discussions were held on ways of expanding defence cooperation between the two countries. Furthermore, the two defence minister discussed on the preparations for the upcoming SAARC summit.

Ibrahim Nasir International Airport website launched

Ibrahim Nasir International Airport Thursday launched its new website www.maldivesairport.aero. The new website hosts innovative ways to boost the entire travel experience for passengers and is designed keeping in mind the customer’s expectations with easy navigation and important information accessibility.

Scientists probe connection between sight and touch in the brain

Shakespeare famously referred to "the mind's eye," but scientists at USC now have also identified a "mind's touch." USC scientists have discovered that as you look at an object, your brain not only processes what the object looks like, but remembers what it feels like to touch it as well.

Genomic analysis of superbug provides clues to antibiotic resistance

An analysis of the genome of a superbug has yielded crucial, novel information that could aid efforts to counteract the bacterium's resistance to an antibiotic of last resort. The results of the research led by scientists from The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth) are published in the Sept. 8 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.

                 17 September 2011 | Saturday                 

President’s Weekly Radio Address: “Government Will Make Every Possible Effort to Meet the Peoples’ Needs”
President Mohamed Nasheed has said that the government will make every possible effort to meet the needs of the people. Highlighting on the various developmental projects of the government’s manifesto currently underway, the President expressed his pleasure with the speed and progress of the schemes.

The Maldives’ $500 Million “Green” Island and Underwater Golf Course
The government of the Maldives islands has proposed plans to construct a floating golf course and convention center which is actually designed to tackle the threat of global warming. These synthetic floating islands will feature technologies such as water desalination, water cooling, and the use of floating solar blanket fields. Equipped with underwater tunnels that will attach the holes and pieces together, this golf course will allow people to experience the reef up close and personal.

Maldives: Gayoom Takes The Plunge And Forms New Political Party – Analysis
After doing “shadow boxing” for a while with his own party men, former President, Gayoom announced the formation of a new party called “Progressive Party of Maldives.” This should not have come as a surprise to those who have been watching the developments in Maldives, as Gayoom had been openly accusing the DRP leadership since March this year of acting “dictatorially” and violating the party charter. Thus Gayoom was leaving a party that was created by him on July 21, 2005 when the country was moving towards a multi party democracy and ditching the current leader of the party Thasmeen Ali-a person chosen by him personally.

Pooja Bhatt set to launch Maldives singer
Bollywood actress-turned-filmmaker Pooja Bhat, who introduced Pakistani singer Rahat Fateh Ali Khan in Bollywood with her 2004 movie ‘Paap’, is now set to launch Mariyam Unoosha, a singer from the Maldives. "After introducing Rahat Fateh Ali Khan to India through `Man Ki Lagan` I will now unleash the sheer brilliance of Unoosha from the Maldives," Pooja posted on micro-blogging site Twitter. "Soon, Unoosha from the Maldives will create the same impact as Rahat did. This is not mere assumption. It is absolute conviction + belief," she added. Rahat became a household name after singing ‘Man Ki Lagan’ in John Abraham and Udita Goswami starrer.

Storm data uncovers landfall threat probabilities
Scientists at the University of Miami's (UM's) Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science have found an intriguing relationship between hurricane tracks and climate variability. Angela Colbert, a graduate student in Meteorology and Physical Oceanography, with the collaboration of Professor and Associate Dean for Professional Masters, Dr. Brian Soden, studied data from the Atlantic gathered between 1950-2010, unlocking some noteworthy results, which appear in the American Meteorological Society's Journal of Climate.

Tree rings reveal forest fires from hundreds of years ago
Like clues from an Agatha Christie mystery novel, trees can provide secrets about past events, and their rings are especially good at providing information about fires, some of which happened hundreds of years ago, according to studies from a Texas A and M University researcher.

                 16 September 2011 | Friday                 

Govt and opposition will fail if a stable democracy is not established- Saleem
Former President of the Human Rights Commission of the Maldives (HRCM), Ahmed Saleem has said that the government and opposition will fail if a stable democracy is not achieved for the people.

President Highlights the Importance of an Independent Judiciary in Establishing a Stable Democracy
President Mohamed Nasheed has said that the role of an independent and just judiciary is important to establish the process of a stable democratization. The President made this statement during the meeting with the U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights Navanethem Pillay.

Govt should be ashamed to speak about democracy-Mahloof
Galolhu Dhekunu MP, Ahmed Mahloof has said that the top officials of the current government should be ashamed of themselves when speaking about democracy. Speaking at a press conference held at the office of the new political party, Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) which is spearheaded by former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, the spokesperson of the party, Mahloof said that the current administration has been tarnishing democratic values although they claim to be the vanguards of democracy in the Maldives. Mahloof said that the government has been trying to make undue influences on the three separated powers of the state. He said that the government has once locked down the Supreme Court of Maldives and also sent the Police to obstruct the judges from entering the court.

Kashidhoo by-election delayed because EC uncertain whether the seat is vacant
The Elections Commission has stated that the Kaashidhoo by-election is delayed because the commission is uncertain whether the Kaashidhoo is seat is vacant. President of the Elections Commission, Fuwad Thaufeeg said that the Peoples’ Majlis has not declared that the seat is vacant due to the sentence of the Criminal Court on Independent MP for Kaashidhoo, Ismail Abdul Hameed, to one year and six months banishment after he was found guilty of abuse of authority for financial gain to a third party. “The Peoples’ Majlis has not informed us. But to follow the correct procedure, we should be very certain on whether the seat is vacant even if the Majlis declares that it is vacant. This is according to the last verdict of the High Court,” Fuwad said.

Nasheed Holds Dialogue with International NGOs
President Nasheed has met with senior representatives of the world's main international human rights NGOs to discuss human rights in the Maldives, the Maldives' work in the UN Human Rights Council, and the upcoming SAARC Summit.

President and Mary Robinson Call for Climate Justice
President Nasheed addressed an event at the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva on Wednesday on the subject of human rights and climate change. The President spoke alongside former President of Ireland and UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Mary Robinson, and current Deputy UN High Commissioner, Kyung wha Kang.

President Meets with Students ,Teachers of Hiriyaa School, and Families of the Deceased
President Mohamed Nasheed has yesterday visited Hiriyaa School and met with the students, teachers, and the school board and the families of the deceased in the tragic drowning incident in Kaafu Huraa, last Friday. The President personally met with each family, and expressed his sincere condolences. He assured the families that the procedures and emergency action steps to be taken during an emergency, were being determined by the cabinet committee appointed last Tuesday, and that their work was in progress.

HRCM Publish List of Issues Regarding Civil and Political Rights in Maldives
The UN Human Rights Committee has published the list of issues to be taken up in connection with the consideration of the initial report of Maldives under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR). The document can be downloaded from the OHCHR website.

Maldives appointed to the Credentials Committee
The General Assembly has held its 1st plenary meeting on 13 September 2011 where it set in place a Credentials Committee for its sixty-sixth session. The Maldives were prominently appointed by the General Assembly as one of the Committee’s nine members, amongst them also China, the Russian Federation and the United States of America.

Intrn’l Day Of Democracy Celebrated with A Focus On “Youth Inclusion And Democracy”
The United Nations Development Programme joined partners in celebrating the International Day of Democracy in the Maldives, at an event held yesterday morning. With the theme centred on “Youth Inclusion and Democracy”, the ceremony saw the participation of several actors playing a key role in the democratic process in the country including; - the government; civil society; justice sector; and independent institutions.

                 15 September 2011 | Thursday                 

More than 44000 illegal expatriates, more than 99369 legal expatriates in Maldives- Immigration
Controller of Immigration and Emigration, Abdullah Shahid has stated that records show that there are 99,369 expatriate workers legally registered in the Maldives. Speaking to the media, Controller of Immigration and Emigration, Abdullah Shahid said that it is estimated that there are over 44,000 illegal expatriate workers in the country.

Maldives needs an Anna Hazare- Mustafa
Thimarafushi MP, Mohamed Mustafa has said that Maldives need an Anna Hazare to fight the malady of corruption so prevalent in the society. “There are many rats drenched in corruption in this country. We will start a campaign within the Peoples’ Majlis and other that to catch these rats,” speaking at the Bodufenda Programme telecasted by the local television channel, VTV, MP Mustafa said.

Gasim steadfast on strengthening JP
Leader of the opposition Jumhooree Party (JP), Gasim Ibrahim has said that he will be steadfast on strengthening and improving his party. Speaking to Miadhu Daily, Gasim Ibrahim said that JP will always work to serve the people. He said that he will always remain to make JP a stronger political party, more attuned to the needs of the people. The spokesperson of JP, Fuwad Gasim said that the party has not officially decided to join to work with any party or to join a coalition.

A government that chooses to rule by the gun rather than by consent, loses its legitimacy- President Nasheed
President Mohamed Nasheed has said that “as soon as any government chooses to rule by the gun rather than by consent, it loses its legitimacy and its right to govern.” The President made the comments during a keynote speech on Tuesday at the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva, Switzerland.

Pirates seize tanker and 23 crew off Benin: maritime body
Pirates seized a Cyprus-flagged tanker with 23 crew on board Wednesday off the coast of the West African country of Benin, the latest in a wave of such attacks, the International Maritime Bureau said. "Armed pirates boarded and hijacked a product tanker ... and took her 23 crew members hostage," the agency said on its website.

Researchers Utilize Neuroimaging To Show How Brain Uses Objects to Recognize Scenes
Research conducted by Boston College neuroscientist Sean MacEvoy and colleague Russell Epstein of the University of Pennsylvania finds evidence of a new way of considering how the brain processes and recognizes a person's surroundings, according to a paper published in the latest issue of Nature Neuroscience.

US fisheries kill 4,600 sea turtles per year: study
Improved fishing nets have saved tens of thousands of endangered sea turtles in recent years, but 4,600 are still dying annually, mainly in Gulf of Mexico shrimp trawls, said a US study on Wednesday.

                 14 September 2011 | Wednesday                 

Criminal Court orders Police to summon 15 defendants currently abroad
Including Dictator Gayoom’s Brother Abdulla Hameed
The Criminal Court has issued a court order yesterday requesting Maldives Police Service to summon 15 defendants who are currently abroad in cluding dictator Gayooms brother Abdulla Hameed Abdul Gayoom famous homosexual.

Cabinet Appoints Committee to Determine Safety Measures For Emergency Preparation
Members of the cabinet have yesterday deliberated on measures to be taken to prevent such unfortunate events as the fatal drowning of four students and the Principal of Hiriyaa School, last Friday in Huraa of Kaafu atoll. Discussions were held on the emergency preparedness and responsiveness required at the time of a crisis, and the necessity for the full cooperation from all concerned agencies.

To withhold the allowances of the MPs will be difficult upon the govt- Shameem
Ahmed Shameem of Maldives Reform Movement (MRM) has said that it will be difficult upon the government to withhold the committee allowance of the Peoples’ Majlis. Shameem said that the government is “sort of blackmailed” because if the government withholds from giving out the allowances that the MPs are seeking, then the MPs will pressurize the government by obstructing the bills of the proposed by the government from passing. “If the Majlis wants they can even remove the President and the Chief Justice. This is in mentioned in the constitution. However no institution has the authority to remove an MP. Therefore it is only the people who can take the MPs to account. It is high time for the people to go out and make the MPs that represent them accountable for their actions,” he said. Shameem noted that it is not the posters and placards that are reviling the honour of the MPs but the actions of the MPs in the Peoples’ Majlis.

Adhaalath Party reiterates that the welfare of PPM lies with Gayoom’s Family
Adhaalath Party (AP) has reiterated that the welfare of the new political party which is being spearheaded by the former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom lies with his family and close associates. In a press release of the party issued yesterday, Adhaalath Party said that the members of the main opposition Dhivehi Rayyithunge Party (DRP) will hesitate to join Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) because the party’s interests are synonymous with the interests of Gayoom and his family. “This is a time when Gayoom is trying to form his second party. But since the welfare and interest of the party is only restricted to friends and family of Gayoom even the members of DRP are hesitating to join it,” the press release said.

Atoll paradise Launches New Destinations Mauritius & Seychelles
Atoll paradise, the leading luxury specialist for the world’s finest resorts has expanded its portfolio of exclusive properties to include the most breathtaking resorts in Mauritius and the Seychelles. Clients can now choose from over 500 villas located in some of the Indian Ocean’s most stunning destinations, amongst which is North Island, which has recently gained global fame by hosting part of the honeymoon for Prince William and Kate Middleton. After meticulous research, atoll paradise went to visit both Mauritius and the Seychelles, to personally select only the best resorts, suitable for the high-level clients that have made the travel specialist such a household name in the luxury sector of its homeland, the Maldives. Only a select number of resorts in Mauritius and the Seychelles have passed the stringent standards and been selected to join the prestigious atoll paradise collection.

Day and night cycle even more important to life than previously suspected
Researchers at USC were surprised recently to discover just how much the rising and setting of the sun drives life on Earth - even in unexpected places. Their findings, which appear this month in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, "speak volumes to the evolution of life on Earth," according to USC scientist Andrew Y. Gracey. "Everything is tied to the rotation of the planet," he said. In all organisms, a certain amount of gene expression (the process by which products are created from the blueprint contained in genes) is rhythmic. In creatures that live on land, that rhythm is unsurprisingly tied to the 24-hour day, known as the circadian cycle.

                 13 September 2011 | Tuesday                 

It’s Necessary to Attract and Retain Competent and Bright Talent in Tourism Industry- VP
Vice President Dr Mohamed Waheed has said that it is necessary to attract and retain the most competent and the brightest talent in the tourism industry to uphold the image of the Maldives in the international community.

Finance Committee’s meeting with AG kept discreet
The meeting of the Financial Committee of the Peoples’ Majlis with the Auditor General (AG) Niyaz Ibrahim regarding the memo issued by the Office of AG which informed all employees of the office that all employees with less than 2 C passes at General Certificate of Education (GCE) O’ Level will be sacked from office due to the new changes brought to the framework of the office.

EC to introduce e-voting for 2013 Presidential Elections
In an effort to ensure more trans¬par¬ent vot¬ing, the Elec¬tion Com¬mis¬sion has planned to intro¬duce electronic voting for the 2013 Presidential Elections. At the meeting of the members of the Elections Commission, the five members of the commission unanimously agreed to the decision to introduce electronic voting. The President of the Elections Commission, Fuad Thaufeeg said that the current elections laws stand in the way of implementing such a system because they refer to paper voter lists and ballot boxes. He said that the commission is working with the necessary authorities to amend the elections laws to introduce electronic voting system. Fuad Thaufeeq said that the electronic voting will present numerous advantages over traditional paper ballot voting.

Office of Programmes and Projects Established
President Mohamed Nasheed has established the “Office of Programmes and Projects” under the administration of Ministry of Housing and Environment. The office has previously been administered under the Department of National Planning, which is under the direct authority of Ministry of Finance and Treasury.

Minister of State for Foreign Affairs meets with PSIDs Ambassadors
Minister of State for Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Maldives Aslam Mohamed Shakir held a meeting yesterday with the Ambassadors of Pacific Small Island Developing States (PSIDs) on 6 September 2011 in New York City. The PSIDs and Maldives share an interest in a number of important issues such as climate change, piracy and fishing rights. The meeting provided an opportunity for State Minister Shakir to exchange views on issues of mutual importance and to further solidify the close relationship that Maldives enjoys with the PSIDs. The Chair of the PSIDs thanked Maldives for their support in the recent Security Council session on the security implications of climate change as well as for Maldives support on other PSIDs efforts.

Pakistan PM calls for global flood help
Pakistani Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani has called for international help for up to five million people affected by recent monsoon rains. Floods in Pakistan have killed 138 people in a month and affected up to five million more, according to the National Disaster Management Authority. Sindh, a flood-prone southern province, was the hardest-hit area with thousands of houses and large areas of crops destroyed.

Human brain evolution, new insight through X-rays
A paper published in Science reveals the highest resolution and most accurate X-ray scan ever made of the brain case of an early human ancestor. The insight derived from this data is like a powerful beacon on the hazy landscape of brain evolution across the transition from

800,000 years of abrupt climate variability
An international team ofscientists, led by Dr Stephen Barker of Cardiff University, has produced a prediction of what climate records from Greenland might look like over the last 800,000 years. Drill cores taken from Greenland's vast ice sheets provided the first clue that Earth's climate is capable of very rapid transitions and have led to vigorous scientific investigation into the possible causes of abrupt climate change.

                 11 September 2011 | Sunday                 

Maldives reeling after the tragic death of Hiriya School Principal and 4 students
The whole country is reeling after four students and the principal of Hiriya School died Friday morning on a fisheries science field trip to Kaafu Huraa. Miadhu Daily understands that the Principal Ali Nazim died while trying to rescue some of his students who were pulled by a strong current in a lagoon near Huraa island. He rescued four students while the remaining four students, Mariyam Shaiha, Nashath Saeed, Mariyam Nazaa and Aishath Saniha and him drowned and died.

MNDF and Police will be summoned to 241 Committee with regards to Tragic Drowning Incident- Opposition coalition
Vilufushi MP Riyaz Rasheed from the Parliamentary Opposition Coalition has said that the top officials of the Maldives National Defense Force (MNDF) and Maldives Police Service will be summoned to the 241 Committee of the Peoples’ Majlis with regards to the death of the four students and Principal Ali Nazim of Hiriyaa School, in the tragic drowning incident Friday morning while at a school camp in Huraa of Kaafu Atoll.

Hiriya School is proud of Principal Nazim for his services
We have lost a capable and proficient person- Minister Shifa
Hiriya School and the whole nation is proud the late Principal of Hiriya School Ali Nazim for his services to the education sector. Nazim who was from Vaavu Atoll Felidhoo, after returning back from Australia completing his Masters degree in Leadership Police and joined the second girls only school in Male’ City as the school principal. Expressing sincere thoughts and appreciation of the services of Nazim, Former Education Minister Mustafa Luthfi said that he was a wonderful man with a great sense of humour. Current Minister of Education, Shifa Mohamed said that the country has lost a capable and proficient person. She said that the government values the services of Principal Nazim. Principal Nazim drowned Friday morning while trying to rescue some of his students who were pulled into the sea by a strong current in a lagoon near Huraa island. Four students: Nash-ath Saeed, Mariyam Naza, Aishath Saniha and Mariyam Shaiha also died in the tragic incident. The tragic accident happened while the students were on a school camp in Huraa of Kaafu Atoll.

Toll-Free hotline – 3010005 –for all those traumatized by the drowning incident
Ministry of Health has established a toll-free hotline -30010005- for all those traumatized by the tragic drowning incident of Hiriya School Principal and four students. In a press conference held at Hiriya School yesterday, State Minister for Ministry of Health, Lubna Mohamed Zahir Hussein said the counseling services for all the traumatized victims of the incident will be available for as long as they are in need of it. She said that the service will be available regardless of the number of those traumatized. Lubna noted that more than 20 counselors volunteered to give counseling to the traumatized victims as soon as the call was made. She said that the counselors volunteered themselves and is now giving therapy at IGMH.

Kuda Huraa is ready to assist any Maldivian in need of help- Sanjiv

In view of the tragic incident of the drowning of Hiriya School Principal and four students while on a fisheries science field trip to Kaafu Huraa, the General Manager of the Four Seasons Kuda Huraa, Sanjeev Hulugale has said that the resort assures to assist in any way possible to any Maldivian in times of crisis. Speaking to Miadhu Daily, Sanjeev said that the resort sent a launch to Huraa as soon as they got the news of the incident. He said that this caused some tourists at the resort to delay their departure. Sanjeev said that the resort also sent the doctor at the resort and also oxygen tanks to assist the rescue of the drowning victims. Miadhu Daily was informed that the General Manager and some of the staff also came to Huraa to join in the rescue operation.

Maldives and the People are Directly Affected by the Climate and its Elements- Nasheed
President Mohamed Nasheed has said that the Maldives and the people are directly affected by the slightest change in the climate, and the elements of the climate. In his keynote address delivered at a dinner hosted by the Mary Robinson Foundation-Climate Justice (MRFCJ), the President noted how low the Maldives rose above sea-level and highlighted on the devastating damages caused by the Indian Ocean tsunami in 2004. He also pointed out the importance of understanding the climate and its elements, in defending ourselves against such disasters.

President Attends Meeting on Possible Legal Form of New Climate Agreement
President Mohamed Nasheed has attended a meeting on the possible Legal Form of New Climate Agreement yesterday, hosted by the Mary Robinson Foundation-Climate Justice (MRFCJ) at the Grantham Research Institute for Climate Change and Environment. The meeting was attended by invited participants from different regions of the world, and discussions were held on possible options for the legal form of a future climate agreement.

Grand SAARC Festival to be held for SAARC Summit- Nasheed
President Mohamed Nasheed has said that a grand SAARC Festival is being planned in Addu City and Fuvammulah for this year’s SAARC Summit. Reflecting on the progress of the preparations for the summit, the President said that the basic infrastructure required for the development of a city, will be established in these two atolls through the summit.

State to study how the Maldives achieves success in tourism
The Tourism and Heritage Ministry hopes to replicate some of Maldives’ successful tourism models for the state’s benefit. Tourism and Heritage Minister Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg said he would travel next week with some officers from the ministry on a study mission to the Maldives. He said the Maldives was a country which had gained success in the international tourism market by promoting the natural beauty of its tropical islands. “They have water bodies which they have turned into tourist attractions. In Sarawak, we do not have an ocean but have beautiful rivers and lakes as a result of our dam development.

                 8 September 2011 | Thursday                 

More people will join DRP when those who oppose party charter resigns- Thasmeen

Leader of the main opposition Dhivehi Rayyithunge Party (DRP), Ahmed Thasmeen has said that when the members who violate the charter of the party resign then the party will gain more popularity and more people will join the party. Thasmeen said that despite the claims made by some people that the resignation of some members of the DRP to form the new party of Former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom will be a disadvantage for DRP, it will be an added advantage for the party to focus its work to take the government accountable. Thasmeen said that after coming to leadership a large number of people joined DRP and increased its popularity. He said that this will be evident in the record of the members of the party. However, Thasmeen noted that the party was caused with a lot of difficulty when some members started to oppose the charter of DRP. He said that this raised questioned about the future of DRP as the main opposition party. “From that time on the people who wanted to join the party were in doubt regarding the future of the party. They hesitated to join because of this. Now that it is being solved these people will join the party. They will be cleared of this doubt,” he said.

People do not want to give power to Gayoom and live in prisons again- Alhan
Feydhoo MP and Deputy President of the ruling party, Alhan Fahmy has said that the people does not want to give back the authority and power to former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom and live in prisons again. Speaking at the special rally of Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) held at the artificial beach area on Tuesday evening, Alhan said that people have not forgotten the sufferings at the hands of the dictatorship of Gayoom for 30 years during his regime. “If anyone had any differing view or if anyone criticizes anything of the government, he will be held behind bars for long period under Gayoom’s tyrant leadership,” he said. Alhan said that the people brought down the dictatorship not to raise it up again. He said that Gayoom can never rise to power again. Feydhoo MP, Alhan said that Gayoom remained as the president of Maldives for 30 years pressurizing and oppressing the people and by rigging the presidential elections.

Two British Nationals Found Dead in Suspected Road Accident
Two British nationals were found dead early Saturday morning in Kuredu Island Resort after a suspected road accident. At 04:15am on 6 August, management at the resort informed the Maldives Police Service that two of their guests were found with injuries at the roadside of the resort. Third individual, also believed to be injured in the incident is currently in hospital being treated for the injuries. Police Officers from Naifaru Police Station were immediately dispatched to the resort. Furthermore, Maldives Police Service dispatched a special investigation team from police headquarters in Male’ to the resort. The identities of the two British nationals in question are not being revealed until police have spoken to their families. The police are currently conducting a full inquiry into the deaths and will release further details in due course.
Police Media Coordination unit
Maldives Police Service

DRP calls MPs who resigned from the party to return their seats
The main opposition Dhivehi Rayyithunge Party (DRP) has called all MPs who resigned from the party to return their seats to DRP. Speaking to Miadhu Daily, the media coordinator of DRP, Ali Solih said that those MPs got their seats in the Peoples’ Majlis because of the hard work of the party and the people of the respected constituents do not accept these MPs to now speak against DRP while in the seats earned to them by DRP. “Even if a by-election is held, the DRP members will win these seats. The same MPs who called Ali Waheed and Alhan Fahmy to return their parliamentary seats to the party is now doing the same, they have left the party. So these MPs also should return their seats,” he said.

Allowances and salaries of MPs and others should be reviewed again- Ali Waheed
Thoddoo MP, Ali Waheed has said that the salaries and allowances of the MPs and state employees should be reviewed again. Ali Waheed said that new standards should be utilized and a new salary system should be established. “The work of the state salaried employees should be reviewed. For example, the allowances allocated by the state to former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom for social service works which are now spent to form a new party for him should be reviewed too. It should be investigated if this is really social service,” he said. Ali Waheed also said that NGOs voicing concern about parliament’s committee allowances should note this point. The Thoddoo MP said that there are many people who are involved in corruption and that this includes some top officials of the new political party of Former President Gayoom.

2012 Four Seasons Maldives Surfing Champions Trophy will be bigger and better – Four Seasons

Following the enormous success of the inaugural event of the Four Seasons Maldives Surfing Champions, Four Seasons Kuda Huraa has vowed to make the 2012 Four Seasons Maldives Surfing Champions Trophy bigger and better next year. General Manager of Four Seasons Kuda Huraa, Sanjiv Hulugalle said that after a sensational week of serious surfing from six generational world champions in the Four Seasons Maldives Surfing Champions Trophy, Maldives has gained even more fame in the world. He also said that the world now knows Maldives as one of the best surfing points in the world. Hulugalle said that Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Kuda Huraa hosted the inaugural Four Seasons Maldives Surfing Champions Trophy successfully and is already gearing up to make 2012 its best year yet.  “We’re launching a new Marine Discovery Centre, green turtle conservation and adoption program and exciting new Night Spa concept,” says Hulugalle. “We’re constantly looking to raise the bar.” Meanwhile, Four Seasons Resort Maldives at KudaHuraa scooped the top award at the Condé Nast Traveller 14th annual Readers’ Travel Awards: The Best of the Best in the World’s Top 100, after being named Best Overseas Leisure Hotel in the Middle East, Africa & Indian Ocean. The Resort accumulated a higher score in the prestigious awards than any other travel experience, accumulating points across ten criteria of excellence including family-friendliness and the quality of food/restaurants. There to collect the award, General Manager SanjivHulugalle was full of admiration for his team: “They work so hard to perfect the guest experience. This award is a testament to an amazing joint effort and we’re incredibly grateful to everyone who voted for us.”

Maldives is one of the best surfing point- John Charlton

A top official of the Four Seasons Maldives Surfing Championship, John Charlton has said that Maldives is one of the best surfing point in the world. At the awards ceremony of the Surfing Champions Trophy 2011 held in Four Seasons resort Maldives at Kuda Huraa held onboard Four Seasons Explorer, a luxury catamaran, John Charlton said that he hopes that the next year’s round of the Four Seasons Surfing Championship is held in Maldives. Charlton said that if the next year’s round of the championship is held in Maldives that it will bring more improvement and developments to the world class surfing competition. “I am not hesitant to say that there is no surfing point like Maldives. I am saying this with firmness,” he said.

President Sends Sympathy to Indian President
President Mohamed Nasheed has sent a message of sympathy to President Pratibha Patil of India following the bomb attack in Delhi yesterday. “I was deeply shocked and saddened to learn of the terrorist attack outside the Indian High Court in Delhi resulting in significant loss of life and leaving many more injured. The Government and the people of the Maldives condemn this outrage in the strongest terms, and we express our firm solidarity with the Government and people of India. At this time of distress, our hearts and prayers are with the members of the bereaved families as well as with all those who have been injured in the attack,” President Nasheed's message to President Patil reads.

                 7 September 2011 | Wednesday                 

All Maldivians will be provided with healthcare under Madhana in 2012- President
President Mohamed Nasheed has said that all of the people of Maldives will be provided with healthcare under Madhana (the state health insurance system) in the year 2012. Speaking at the public rally of the ruling Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) held last evening at the Aritificial Beach area, President Nasheed said that the government understands that more efforts are needed to be made to promote and improve the health sector of Maldives.

We will do all it takes to obstruct Dictator Gayoom and Yaameen from coming to power- Alhan
Feydhoo MP and the Vice President of the ruling party, Alhan Fahmy has warned that MDP will do whatever it takes to obstruct Former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom and his half brother Abdullah Yaameen from coming to power. Speaking at last evening’s special rally of MDP, Alhan said that Gayoom can never return back to power. He said that a fallen President has never in history returned back to authority. “Tonight I would like to say that I will strive and make Jihad against you so that you never comes back to power. It is not possible in the least bit for Gayoom to return back to power! Gayoom and Yaameen can never come to power, except if I am jailed. In other than like this, they cannot change the current rule,” he said. Alhan also called former President Gayoom to leave off politics and not to make further chaos and strife in the country. “The true meaning of PPM is as the former Chairperson said, ‘inheritance party.’ This (forming the new party) is a crime perpetrated by Gayoom to make the rulership of the country to be inherited to his children and his childrens’ children,” he said.

Although PIC was summoned to Majlis, the objective was not met-Abdullah Waheed
Deputy President of the Police Integrity Commission, Dr. Abdullah Waheed has said that though the commission was summoned to the Committee on Independent Intuitions of the Peoples’ Majlis, the objective of the meeting was not fully achieved. Dr. Abdullah Waheed said that it is questionable whether the members of the Committee on Independent Institutions of the Majlis know that PIC is an independent institution. The Deputy President of the commission said that he does not believe if the objective of the meeting was fully have been met because of the ignorance of the members on the authority and independency of the institution was evident from their many questions that were asked in a rush.

High-Level Delegation from Ministry of Education is on a Study Visit to Australia
A high-level delegation from the Ministry of Education is on a study visit to Australia from September 1 – 11, 2011. The delegation comprises of Minister of Education Madam Sifa Mohamed, Deputy Minister Ibrahim Rasheed, Director General Mr. Ahmed Shafeeu, Education Development Officer Ahmed Athif, Superintendent of Education Ms. Fathimath Naseer and Educational Supervisor Fauziyya Ali. This visit is fully sponsored by the Queensland University of Technology, Australia.

Amana Takaful Maldives opens for subscription
As exclusively reported by Mirror Business, the Maldivian subsidiary of Sri Lanka's Amana Takaful Insuracne Plc, Amana Takaful (Maldives) Private Limited is going ahead with their plans of getting listed in the Maldives Stock Exchange (MSE). The firm now plans to offer shares for subscription on the 20th of this month, the IPO-prospectus that was released to the MSE noted.

Opening remarks at the Joint Inaugural Session of the
Twenty-ninth Health Ministers Meeting and the
Sixty-fourth Session of the Regional Committee for
South-East Asia
Honourable ministers, distinguished guests, Dr Samlee, ladies and gentlemen, Let me join others in thanking India for hosting this session of the Regional Committee for South-East Asia. I will be commenting on some of your agenda items tomorrow. The twenty-ninth Health Ministers Meeting will discuss the follow up to the Bangkok Declaration on Urbanization and Health, strategies for combating antimicrobial resistance, and preparations for the high-level meeting on noncommunicable diseases to be held shortly during the UN General Assembly.

Joint Inauguration of RC64 and 29th HMM
Address by:
Dr Samlee Plianbangchang
Regional Director, WHO South-East Asia

South-East Asian countries commit to combating drug resistance
Health Ministers from eleven South-East Asian countries adopted the Jaipur Declaration on Antimicrobial Resistance today, committing to preserving the efficacy of antibiotics through rational use and regulation. The Health Ministers met to review key health issues in WHO’s South-East Asia Region and provide policy direction for future action. They also focused on the prevention and control of noncommunicable diseases.

                 6 September 2011 | Tuesday                 

President supports committee allowance while three ministers oppose it

President Mohamed Nasheed has yesterday spoken in favour of the parliament’s committee allowances while three ministers have spoken against it. Speaking to the group of people and members of the NGOs who gathered in front of the Ministry of Finance voicing concern about parliament’s committee allowances and presented a petition with over 1300 signatures, President Nasheed said the allowances have been already approved by the Peoples’ Majlis and the government thereby has no choice but to issue the funds for it. Meanwhile, 1300 people signed the petition so far while the Finance Minister and some other cabinet ministers and state ministers have spoken against issuing the committee allowances.

Supreme Court blames Ibra for instigating illegal actions

The Supreme Court has issued a press release yesterday condemning the statements of President Mohamed Nasheed’s Advisor, Ibrahim Ismail (Ibra) on justice. The Supreme Court alleged that the statements of Ibra opposed the tenets of democratic values and instigated illegal actions against independent institutions. The press release said that “the Supreme Court, being the parental institution of the constitution and the law of Maldives, assures the people that there is no room for illegal actions that would violate the rights of the state, the people, democratic institutions and the democratic system.” Supreme Court accused Ibra of instigating violence and chaos in the society. The press release further said that the state is responsible for upholding constitutional governance and law.

Number of people joining Gayoom’s new party will show his exact “size” - Moosa Manik

Interim Chairperson of the ruling Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), Moosa Manik has said that the number people joining the new party to be registered by former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom will show him his exact “size” in Maldivian politics. “Gayoom will be exposed this time. The number of people joining his party will show him and the people of Maldives his exact size,” he said on the official website of the ruling party. Moosa Manik said that the party with a name similar to the name of the party of Gayoom’s half brother, Abdullah Yameen, looks much more like a gang. He said that Gayoom is accused of the deaths of many of the people of Maldives and is accused of usurping the wealth of the nation during his regime. Moosa Manik said that Gayoom is a failure in Maldivian politics and the majority of people will not be “budged” by his new party.

Visas will be easily available for Maldivians travelling to India- Mulay

Indian High Commissioner in Maldives D.M. Mulay has said that visas will be easily available for Maldivians travelling to India for medical, study or any other purpose. In a press conference held at the Foreign Ministry, Indian High Commissioner Mulay said that applicants are advised to follow the legal visa procedures to issue the necessary visa without any delay. Mulay said that Maldivian intending to stay in India for more than 90 days for medical, study or any other purpose may obtain appropriate visa from the High Commission of India in Male’ and that there is no provision in India for extending the visit visa or converting to any other type of visa. Mulay said that all countries have laws which designate a procedure for issuing visas. He said that to amend such laws is a difficult process. He reiterated and advised all visa applicants to follow the visa procedure. The High Commissioner also said that a 5 year student visa will be arranged for Maldivian students studying in India. In view of the news of the arrest of some Maldivians in India with regards to visa issues, Mulay said that he had not received any official information regarding the matter.

New generation airport lounge unveiled at INIA
A new generation of airport lounges has been unveiled at Ibrahim Nasir Internation Airport (INIA) yesterday. Andrew Harrison, Chief Executive Officer of INIA, said that "Maldives caters to the high-end travelers as customers, and Maldives one of the revenue generators is traveler experience hence we have to cater to them or risk losing them to other exotic destinations that go beyond the expectations of the traveler.”

We are people of the sea and we all grow up with the elements around us- Nasheed

President Mohamed Nasheed has said that Maldivains are people of the sea and the people of Maldives “grow up with the elements around us and for us the sea is never very far away from us.” Speaking at ceremony of the Surfing Champions Trophy 2011 held in Four Seasons resort Maldives at Kuda Huraa, President Nasheed said that the people of Maldives are taught to swim at a tender age and live half of their lives in the sea.

Ibrahim Nasir Int’l Airport awards the prestigious GMR Scholarship awards

India’s GMR Group, which manages Ibrahim Nasir International Airport, goes on their second year to award scholarships for students specializing in the technical discipline, for a period of four years in their educational term.

Pakistan monsoon rains affect five million, kill 132
Monsoon rains in Pakistan have affected up to five million people and killed 132 others in a month, a senior disaster official said Monday, as the country braced for more wet and wild weather. Southern Sindh, a flood-prone province where authorities said more heavy rain was expected in the coming days, was the hardest-hit area, with crops and many houses destroyed.

EU students sing praises of Israel’s protest movement
Europe’s largest student union issues its support for the social protest: "The Israeli government should listen to its people." Europe’s largest student union on Monday issued its support for the social protests taking place across Israel, two days after more than 400,000 Israelis took to the streets in the movement’s biggest series of demonstrations yet. “The Israeli government should listen to its people. It is clear that they are strongly affected by the ongoing budget cuts. Too many times, funding for the weakest in society, including students, has seen a decrease,” Allan Pall, European Students Union Chairperson, said in a letter sent to the Israeli government on Monday. “Students and Israeli citizens have showed the world that a little protest against raising the rents can turn into a movement that is demanding radical changes.”

                 5 September 2011 | Monday                 

Government decree affirming uninhabited islands in Fuvahmulah involves satanic motives- AP
Declaring uninhibited islands is a very futile decision- Shaheem
Nasheed pressurized the council to get their approval- Dr. Mauroof

Adhaalath Party (AP) has criticized President Mohamed Nasheed’s decree affirming “Bilhifeyshi” area and “Thoon’du” area of Fuvammulah as two uninhabited islands. In a press conference held by the party, Adhaalath said that the decree involves very dangerous satanic motives. The party said that the President wants to permit the selling of alcoholic beverages in the two areas which he decreed as uninhabited islands. In view of the decision, Former State Minister for Ministry of Islamic Affairs and member of the Shura Majlis of Adhaalath Party, Mohamed Shaheem Ali Saeed said that the President’s declaration is a very futile decision. Shaheem said that the party does not oppose the decision to build a City Hotel at the area but the decision to make the two areas of the island as uninhabited islands were made to sell alcoholic beverages. He said that the party will never accept such a decision. “Not every City Hotel has to sell alcoholic beverages. For me this decision is very futile and foolish. Adhaalath Party take this is a very futile decision,” he said. Vice President of the party, Dr. Mauroof said that the party was informed that the President pressurized the island council to get their approval for this decision. Dr. Mauroof also said that some council members who signed the decree have now decided to take back their signatures after considering the dangerous consequences of the decision.

Frustrated Dictator Gayoom resigns from DRP
Fox said Grapes are sour: Dictator Gayoom says DRP is a politically toothless party
Founder of the main opposition Dhivehi Rayyithunge Party (DRP), Former President ictator Maumoon Abdul Gayoom has resigned from the party yesterday. In his resignation letter, Former President Gayoom said that DRP is now off the track and is now a politically toothless party which does not work for the sake of the people. Gayoom said that the works of the important organs of the party has come to a stop after Ahmed Thasmeen Ali took over the leadership of DRP. He said that council meetings are not held regularly and that it takes two to three months to hold a council meeting. Former President Gayoom also said that he was forced to withdraw his support for Thasmeen in the Presidential Elections to be held in 2013 because Thasmeen failed to amend his mistakes. “Therefore, when the party is in such a state, I do not believe that it is correct for me to remain as the Honorable Leader of DRP. So I am today forced to sadly resign from this designation. And also to resign from the membership of the party,” he said.

Dictator Gayoom should know that he does not have much support- Zuhair

Press Secretary of the President, Mohamed Zuhair has said that the Former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom does not have much support from the people. In view of the campaign commenced by Former President Gayoom, Press Secretary Zuhair said that Gayoom should understand that he does not have much support although he claim that the new political party that he is forming will become the main opposition party. Speaking to Miadhu Daily, Zuhair said that Gayoom should acknowledge the fact that it will be very difficult to form a new political party and acquire members for the party. “During the formation of MDP it was difficult to get members because of the fear of the government that was prevalent in the country. During that time more people signed to DRP because those at the political posts and civil service did not want to lose their jobs. And also because of the many influences. But now the tables have been turned. Small parties still do not have that much of members required for a party to be registered,” he said.

Thasmeen rebuts Gayoom in less than 3 hrs after Gayoom’s resignation
Gayoom has not understood the role of the most honoured designation of DRP- Thasmeen

In less than three hours since the submission of the resignation of Former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom from the main opposition Dhivehi Rayyithunge Party (DRP), the party leader Ahmed Thasmeen Ali has rebutted Gayoom. Rebutting the allegations made by Gayoom in his resignation letter, Thasmeen said that although Gayoom resigned from the leadership of the party and was honored with the most honorable designation of the party he has not understood his role as the honorable leader of DRP. Thasmeen said that Gayoom’s designation is a symbolic title. He said that he does understand this and has always referred himself as the highest leader of the party. “In your letter you have stated that you have tried to advice and give me counsel in a number of times but however the truth is that you have tried to show the people that the leadership lies in your hands like it was before,” he said. “It is proven and evident that you have tried to achieve your desires, even by going against the charter because you have no political responsibility under it. You have been trying to achieve your motives regardless of what happens for the party,” the leader of DRP said in his rebuttal against Gayoom.

Outgoing Director of UNESCO Calls on President
Outgoing Director of UNESCO, Amroogam Parsuramen has paid a courtesy call on President Mohamed Nasheed yesterday. During the meeting held at the President’s Office, talks were mainly focused on increasing bilateral cooperation and further strengthening collaborations between both countries, especially in the areas of higher education, trade and economic development. At the meeting, the Outgoing Director of UNESCO praised the efforts of the Maldivian government in its efforts to promote the values of democracy, human rights and garner regional cooperation in an international arena.Additionally, the President highlighted upon the upcoming SAARC Summit, which is to be held in the Maldives this year. The meeting was attended by Vice President Dr Mohamed Waheed, Chief of Staff Ahmed Mausoom and Advisor on Political Affairs Mohamed Shihab.

President meets Delegation of China Literature and Arts Foundation
President Mohamed Nasheed has yesterday met with the delegation of China Literature and Arts Foundation. At the meeting held at the President’s Office, discussions were held on the importance of Maldivians learning Chinese, since the number of tourists visiting from China continues to increase. The President also expressed his gratitude to the Chinese government for the National Art Gallery and the National Museum in Male’, built under the Chinese aid. China Literature and Arts Foundation had presented a cultural show in Male’, to commemorate the 40th anniversary of diplomatic relations established between the Maldives and China, next year.

President awards Grand Champion Trophy at the Surfing Champions Trophy 2011

President Mohamed Nasheed has attended the awards ceremony of the Surfing Champions Trophy 2011 held in Four Seasons resort Maldives at Kuda Huraa yesterday. At the ceremony held onboard Four Seasons Explorer, a luxury catamaran, the President awarded the Grand Champion trophy to the winner. Speaking at the ceremony, President Nasheed acknowledged that Maldivians were accustomed to life close to the ocean, adding that “we are people of the sea”. He also noted that fishermen spent more time at sea than at home, and that 44% of the Maldivian work force was fishermen. President Nasheed conveyed that he was honoured to meet the world surfing champions, and welcomed them to visit the Maldives again. He also added that Maldivian surfers would be much appreciative of this opportunity to meet them in person.

Special Envoy of the President Departs to Philippines
Special Envoy of the President, Ibrahim Hussain Zaki has departed to Manila of Philippines, to attend the “High-level Regional Policy Dialogue on Asia-Pacific economies after the global financial crisis: Lessons learnt, challenges for building resilience, and issues for global reform” conference. The conference organized by the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) is to be held from the 6th to 8th of September.

Visiting Chinese Cultural troop meets with Foreign Minister
The Minister of Foreign Affairs Ahmed Naseem met with the visiting Chinese Cultural Troupe, visiting the Maldives on their ‘Cultural China – Chinese Intangible Cultural Heritage Performance’ tour. The Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Hawla Ahmed Didi and Additional Secretary at the Ministry Dr. Hussain Niyaz also attended the call. Minister Naseem thanked the troupe for enriching cultural experiences of Maldivians with their performance and extended hope to for further cultural exchanges between China and the Maldives. The Cultural Troupe thanked the Minister for the kind hospitality extended by the Government and welcomed the renewed opportunities for friendship and cultural exchange between China and the Maldives. During the call on the Minister, the Troupe gifted the Minister with various cultural memorabilia and informed the Minister that they would be returning to the Maldives to perform during the upcoming SAARC Summit to be held in November 2011. The visit of the cultural troupe was organized by Government of Maldives, in conjunction with the China Literature and Art Foundation, China’s Ministry of Culture, Arts Service Center, the Maldives National Center for Arts, the China Social Welfare Education Foundation, the National School Than Ggnetic Engineering Office Bearing, China Youth Art Troupe and the China International Friendly Exchange and Promotion Association. The Cultural Troupe performed in Male’ at Olympus Theatre on 1st September 2011.

Occhilupo clean sweeps four finals in the Maldives:
President Nasheed Watches Final Onboard the Four Seasons Explorer

Sultans, Kuda Huraa, Maldives, September 4th, 2011: 1999 World Champion Mark Occhiupo, 45, won the inaugural Four Seasons Maldives Surfing Champions Trophy yesterday after a sensational week of serious surfing from six generational world champions. It was a clean sweep for ‘Occy’ who won all three divisions of Single Fin, Twin Fin and Thrusters, before defeating world longboard champion Josh Constable (Noosa, Qld, Aus), 30, in the Grand Champions Final to take home US$19,000 of the US$25,000 on offer.

Amari, the hotel and resort group, introduces an exciting offer to launch its new property in the Maldives - Amari Addu Maldives.
Situated in the southernmost atoll of the Maldives, nestled at the edge of the world, Amari Addu Maldives is a stunning island sanctuary offering stylish tropical accommodation and a wide variety of recreational pursuits. The idyllic island resort is a 70-minute scenic flight from Male’ International Airport and is reached through a 20-minute speed boat ride. Amari Addu Maldives is extending a special rate to travel industry professionals to come and experience the property and all its facilities for themselves. Travel trade partners are invited to pay for one night and get one additional night free on a room and breakfast basis at the special rate of US$ 150+++(for single occupancy) and US$200+++(for twin/double occupancy) per night for Ocean Beach Villa.

Amari Addu Maldives Travel Trade Opening Offer
The special offer is valid during 12 Nov – 20 Dec. 2011, and the free night(s) is subject to 10% service charge, 3.5% GST and a bed tax of US$ 8.00 per person.

                 3 September 2011 | Saturday                 

President Nasheed Ratifies GST Bill

President Mohamed Nasheed has today ratified the “Goods and Services Tax Bill”, passed by the Parliament at the 34th meeting of the second term held last Monday. The bill was ratified at a special function held in Fuvahmulah under the theme, “Role of SAARC in the development of Fuvahmulah”. Following ratification, the “Goods and Services Tax Bill” has been published in the government gazette today. The bill includes how GST is to be collected, the goods and services that are excluded from taxation, zero-rated goods and services, the duration for taxation, GST report, method of GST calculation, tax invoice, and the registration of taxable activities. According to this bill, GST is divided into two main types; Goods and Services Tax for tourism industry and Goods and Services Tax for other sectors.

President Decrees two Uninhabited Islands in Fuvahmulah
President Mohamed Nasheed has signed two decrees, affirming “Bilhifeyshi” area and “Thoon’du” area of Fuvammulah as two uninhabited islands, under the Decentralization Act. The President signed both the decrees at a special meeting held in Fuvahmulah today, under the theme of “Role of SAARC in the Development of Fuvahmulah”. Speaking at the meeting, President Nasheed revealed that these two islands are to be utilized for tourism purposes, and that the government will begin the construction of a resort in one of the islands in the next week. The resort will be built in the “Thoon’du” area and the airport is to be established in the “Bilhifeyshi” area.

Sri Lankan Muslim boy wins a prestigious award
Dubai International Quran competition 2011
May Almightily Allah bless His Highness Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum for initiating this noble Quranic completion. This Quranic completion was initiated in 1997 and since then this competition has been attracting the attention of Muslim people all over the world. Undoubtedly, this event is a historical Islamic event in our contemporary Islamic history and particularly in the service of our Holy Quran. As all we aware that Muslim world is going through a period of turbulence and turmoil today and Muslims are economically, educationally and politically weak in our contemporary world. At this historical juncture of our time, event of this nature revitalizes and reinvigorates our faith and our Imam: Moreover, it instills our love and attachment to this Holy Quran. It encourages Muslims to recite, read and understand the Quran. : An International event like this provokes and stipulates our thought and reminds us of our mission and vision in this world. Above all, it is an inspirational event for our young generation to adore the guidance and teachings of the Holy Quran. More importantly, generates hope and confidence in hearts of Muslim minority communities in the world. It makes them as one international community guided by the teaching of this holy book. May Allah reward abundantly all those who are involved in this noble competition.

MilesQuest - Maldives – the conclusion
Finally was able to board our flight a little before midnight. We flew from Male back to Kuala Lumpur with another eight hour layover. Rather than try to go back into the city, we decided we would just stay at the Kuala Lumpur airport instead. We went through customs and headed over to the Malaysian Air bag terminal to find out about compensation for our bags being lost for three days. After waiting in line for a good while, a friendly gentleman came to help us. We had to fill out a lot of paperwork and after explaining what happened he went to consult with his boss. He said that since we were flying business class, we were eligible for $100 US per person for our lost bags. We debated whether or not take the offer but given the complexity of even finding our bags, we decided that it would be worthwhile to accept the offer since we were talking to a live person. He handed us the Malaysian equivalent of $200 and had us sign some paperwork and we were done. We went back through passport control and headed up to the lounge where we stayed for six hours watching TV, sleeping, and messing around on the Internet.

Peugeot-Citroen to Invest €650 Million in Indian Assembly Plant
PARIS -- French auto maker PSA Peugeot-Citroen said Thursday it plans to invest about €650 million to build a manufacturing facility at Sanand, the rapidly developing automotive cluster in the Indian state of Gujarat. The move fits in with Peugeot-Citroen's goal of reducing its dependence on the mature markets of Europe. The company has said it is aiming to have half of its vehicle sales outside Europe by 2015, compared to 38% at present, by ramping up production capacity in China, Russia and Latin America, and now India. The new complex will comprise a vehicle assembly plant with a paint shop. It will have an initial capacity of 170,000 vehicles annually with the possibility for later expansion. It will also manufacture engines and gearboxes using the latest power train technologies, said Peugeot-Citroen, Europe's second-largest automotive group by volume after Germany's Volkswagen AG. The company said the site will generate 5,000 new jobs, creating further economic and employment opportunities through an extensive supplier park adjacent to the site, which will provide the company with necessary parts and services.

40 year old Mariner 5 solar wind problem finds answer
astrophysicists at the University of Warwick has resolved a 40 year old problem with observations of turbulence in the solar wind first made by the probe Mariner Five. The research resolves an issue with what is by far the largest and most interesting natural turbulence lab accessible to researchers.

Coral Arks Rebuild Marine Ecosystems—With Electricity and Rebar
The world's coral reefs are in trouble. Not just from localized over-fishing and habitat destruction, but worldwide climate change as well. The solution—electrified artificial reefs, of course. Biorock starts out as a Rebar skeleton structure or electrically-conductive wire mesh, called a Coral Ark. It's partially sunken or anchored into the seafloor with a solar panel floating on the surface above it, which provides a steady electrical current. As electricity (an exceptionally low voltage, completely safe for swimmers and marine life alike) flows through the structure, accretion occurs—essentially, the salt water electrolyzes, causing calcium carbonate and magnesium hydroxide to form on the cathode—coating the Ark with a natural concrete material very similar to that of clam shells. As long as the current continues to flow, these structures can grow indefinitely—at a rate of 5cm annually—as precipitated materials add to the structure's rigidity and will even repair themselves if damaged.

                 2 September 2011 | Friday                 

Dictator Gayoom finally announce to form a new political party
Former President Dictator Maumoon Abdul Gayoom has Finally announced yesterday evening to form a new political party and to to contest in 2013 presidential Election. In a meeting of the breakaway Z-faction(Most Maldivians call it Zionist Faction because Dictator Gayoom’s 30 years of rule in Maldives is much worse than Isreal and Palestininian situation) of DRP held at the Office of the Honorary Leader, Gayoom official announced the decision to register a new political party after concluding the discussions on it between the members of DRP who align themselves to the Z-faction.

Yameen is incapable to comepete against Thasmeen- DRP
The main opposition Dhivehi Rayyithunge Party (DRP) has said that the half-brother of the DRP Honorary Leader Maumoon Abdul Gayoom and opposition Peoples’ Alliance (PA) Leader, Abdullah Yameen does not have the capability to compete against DRP Leader Ahmed Thasmeen Ali. Speaking to Miadhu Daily, DRP media coordinator, Ali Solih said that though the PA Leader, Yameen advocated to hold primaries in the DRP to nominate the presidential candidate of the party for the 2013 presidential elections, he does not possess the competency against Thasmeen. Ali Solih said that Yameen is hesitant to hold primaries because he believes that Thasmeen will win the elections. In replying to the allegations made against DRP, the media coordinator of the main opposition party said that those who accuse the party of being cancerous are themselves who are cancerous and diseased. He said that those who accuse Thasmeen of being corrupt should note that the DRP leader was never summoned to any of court of law in relation to corruption. Ali Solih accused that Yameen is responsible for the current differing and disputes within DRP. He also said that Yameen is trying to hijack the leadership of the main opposition party. Furthermore, Ali Solih said that Yameen is now trying to set up a new party in his greed for authority and leadership after breaking apart the biggest opposition in the country. Ali Solih rebutted the claims that Thasmeenis sold out to the government by saying that the leader of DRP has never voted in favour of the government in the Peoples’ Majlis. He noted that the MPs of PA under the leadership of Yameen has voted in favour of the government a number of times including the bill on allocating the state reserve.

Freedom is still at stake in the tourism nirvana of the Maldives
On July 26, the Maldives celebrated its independence day with the traditional hoisting of the national flag, parades, ceremonies and an address by President Mohamed Nasheed. But there is a greater significance to the festivities of recent times. It is only the third year when freedom from colonial rule for this collection of 1,192 islands in the Indian Ocean has been accompanied by another kind of liberty - democracy. On October 28, 2008, Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, Asia's longest-serving head of state, conceded his 30-year rule of the Maldives had come to an end. He lost its first ever democratic elections, vanquished by a former journalist who had been arrested, jailed and tortured for his opposition to Gayoom's regime.

No one except President Nasheed can rule under this law- Mustafa
Thimarafushi MP, Mohamed Mustafa has said that the current constitution of the Maldives is a constitution that requires a high level of expenditure like those of the sustainable nations. He said that no other person except President Mohamed Nasheed is capable of ruling under the present constitution. Mustafa said this answering a question posed by Miadhu Daily at the ceremony held to sign the agreements for the second phase of the Thimarafushi land reclamation project. He said that the constitution was enacted without proper research on the consequences it might have on the economy. He added that the constitution was based on the constitutions of rich countries with large economies. “However the talk is going, it is because of the hard work of President Nasheed that the state expenditure is cut down. If Gayoom were rule with the current constitution, in two months time the people will topple the government,” he said. Musatafa also noted that the number of MPs in the current Peoples’ Majlis are too many compared to the population of Maldives. He said that ‘appointing 5 councilors for a population of 80 people’ would not bring any developments and prosperity. He said that to bring all the characteristics as mentioned in the current constitution would never help to sustain the economy of the state.

Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Kuda Huraa scoops ‘Best of the Best" award

Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Kuda Huraa scooped the top award at the Condé Nast Traveller 14th annual Readers’ Awards: The Best of the Best in the World’s Top 100, after being named Best Overseas Leisure Hotel in the Middle East, Africa & Indian Ocean. The Maldivian Resort accumulated a higher score than any other travel experience in the prestigious awards across ten criteria of excellence including family-friendliness and the quality of food/restaurants.

Z-faction gives last warning to DRP
The breakaway Z-faction of the main opposition Dhivehi Rayyithunge Party (DRP) has given DRP leadership the last warning to solve the internal disputes within the party. The interim President of the Z-faction, Umar Naseer sent out a text message to the council members of the main opposition party stating that the until 4 in the evening yesterday the party will have the chance to resolve the internal issues. “If 4 members from the DRP council who is with Thasmeensigns the agreement calling for an immediate congress before 4 in the evenng, then the party will be saved. So we humbly request that you take this to consideration,” the text message said. Umar Naseer said that the message was sent at the request of the DRP members from 70 islands. He said that if the 4 council members sign the agreement then the party will be saved. Umar Naseer said that the failure of the leadership to reply to the message shows that the leadership does not want to resolve the disputes within the party.

DRP did not receive resignation letter of Ilham
The main opposition Dhivehi Rayyithunge Party (DRP) has said that the party had not received the resignation letter of Gemanafushi MP Ilham Ahmed from his post as the Deputy Leader of the party. In view of Ilham’s announcement made to the media recently claiming that he will tender his resignation on 30th of August, DRP said that the party had not received any resignation letter of the Deputy Leader. A top official of the main opposition party informed Miadhu Daily that there is a hidden agenda behind Ilham’s decision to resign from the leadership after accusing DRP Leader Ahmed Thasmeen Ali for being incapable of making the government accountable. The informant said that the work of Ilham in the breakaway Z-faction to make the government accountable is questionable.

MIGA meets with the Maldivian Business Community
Minister of State Aslam Shakir hosted a meeting of the visiting members of the Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA) with the Maldivian business community on Thursday afternoon at the Ministry. The meeting, jointly organized by the Ministry of Economic Development, The World Bank and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, was attended by major industry associations and representatives of corporate entities, including the tourism, construction, banking, insurance and the fisheries sectors.

                 1 September 2011 | Thursday                 

Umar oppose to form a new party because Yaameen might take the leadership: RaajjeTV

Local TV channel, RaajjeTV has reported that the dismissed Deputy Leader of the main opposition Dhivehi Rayyithunge Party (DRP), Umar Naseer oppose to form a new political party because opposition Peoples’ Alliance (PA) Leader, Abdullah Yaameen, might take the leadership of the party.

All surfers should come to Maldives- Layne Beachley

Layne Beachley, the only female competitor in Four Seasons Maldives Surfing Champions Trophy, has said that all surfers should come to Maldives for surfing. The professional surfer from Manly, Australia who won the World Championship seven times told Miadhu Daily that this was her first visit to Maldives. She said that she did not know of the beauty of Maldives and the waves. Beachleywho won the second place in the Single Fin division of the Four Seasons Maldives Surfing Champions Trophy in off-shore, one metre (2 -4ft) waves at Sultan’s Point, said that she prior to her visit she had only seen pictures and videos of Maldives. Beachley said that she has surfed all over the world and but Maldives has the best waves she has ever ridden. “I would tell every surfer I meet that Maldives is the place to be. That Maldives is beautiful and so is the beach and the sea. I would tell them that the waves of Maldives are friendly and the temperature of the sea is perfect. I would tell them that the people of Maldives are friendly and hospitable,” she said. Former world surfing champion Mark Occhilupo, who defeated Beachley to win the Single Fin division of the Four Seasons Maldives Surfing Champions Trophy, said that the Maldives is the best surfing point in the world.

Gayoom forming a new party is still a thought- Thasmeen
Leader of the main opposition Dhivehi Rayyithunge Party (DRP), Ahmed Thasmeen Ali has said that the talks that the Honorary Leader of DRP, Maumoon Abdul Gayoom forming a new political party is still a thought that has not materialized so far. Speaking on a DhiTVprogramme, DRP Leader Thasmeen said that the majority of the members of DRP would not leave DRP to join the new party.  Thasmeen said that the Z-faction have so far not clarified the fundamental principles that new party that is alleged to be formed by the new party would adopt. Thasmeen also said that the ruling Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) will be very pleased if Gayoom forms a new political party. He said that the ruling party will take advantage of this if the new party is registered.

Economy will not flourish even with taxation without more foreign currency- Gasim

Maamigili MP and the leader of the opposition Jumhooree Party (JP), Gasim Ibrahim has said that the economy of Maldives will not flourish even with the introduction of taxation without opening up ways to increase foreign currency income of the country. Speaking at Monday’s sitting of the Peoples’ Majlis, Maamigili MP, Gasim Ibrahim said that the tax taken from the people without any work on increasing the foreign currency income will only barely be enough to pay government employees and to be used up as recurrent expenditure. Gasim said that the tax taken from the rich will be taken under the corporate tax law and that the law is already passed by the Majlis. “We supported it and voted in favour of that bill. However, this GST that we are speaking of now is taken from all of the people without any exception. Therefore, it is rather absurd that what we are advocating on this matter is related to the public in a way other than that which we intended. I would like to ask that who it would be who can be ready for this tax in a period of one month?,” he said. Gasim said that his view on the bills is not biased and that it did not emanate from his views on the current government.

Noonu Atoll local arrested with illegal narcotics
N.Velidhoo Police Station has apprehended Velidhoo resident, Mr. Mohamed Nadheem (age 23, Fehivilaage / N.Maafaru) with suspected 46 packets of illegal substance on 27st August 2011. Velidhoo Police confiscated these packets from his jeans pocket when his body searched. Velidhoo Police Station has also arrested a 19 years old male with suspected illegal substance just in the past week. Velidhoo Police Station is investigating this case.

Don’t be let down by setbacks: Bin-Humaid
MAKKAH: Millions of Muslims across the Kingdom celebrated Eid Al-Fitr to mark the end of fasting in the holy month of Ramadan, attending Eid prayers, visiting friends and relatives, exchanging Eid greetings and organizing recreational programs. Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah joined Eid prayers at the Grand Mosque in Makkah where more than two million people attended the prayer. Former Lebanese Premier Saad Hariri and Second Deputy Premier and Minister of Interior Prince Naif also joined the worshippers in the Grand Mosque.

Mark ‘Occy’ Occhilupo wins Four Seasons Maldives surfing champions trophy single fin division

KudaHuraa, Maldives, August 31, 2011: Former world surfing champion Mark Occhilupo (Gold Coast, Aus) defeated Layne Beachley (Manly, Aus) to win the Single Fin division of the Four Seasons Maldives Surfing Champions Trophy in off-shore, one metre (2 -4ft) waves at Sultan’s Point, Maldives today. The opening day of the inaugural event saw historic match-ups between six former world champions, who all drew clean lines across the reef break waves as they showcased the single fin surfing style of the 1960’s and 1970’s. Despite the nostalgia, passions ran high amongst the sensational six surfers who own an impressive 20 world titles between them.

State funeral held to honor late Corporal Shaukath
A state funeral was held to honour late Corporal Ibrahim Shaukath who has passed awaydue to a fatal accidental gunshot to the head, while completing Body Guard training at the Kadhoo facility in Laamu Atoll. Corporal Ibrahim Shaukath of Raa Atoll Alifushi, Sabaana, who was accidentally shot dead in the head yesterday morning, was honored with a state funeral held after the Taraweeh Prayer at Alifushi at the request of his family. Defense Minister Thalhath Ibrahim, Chief of Defense Force Major General Moosa Ali Jaleel and Vice Chief of Defense Force FaruhathShaheeru and MNDF Nothern Area Commander Brigadier General Ahmed Mohamed visited the island and sent their sincere condolences to the family. 32 year-old Corporal Ibrahim Shaukathwas shot in the head and was taken to LaamuGan Regional Hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 11:50am. A technical team of MNDF had been dispatched to the island to the investigate the death. The MNDF flag would be hoisted half-mast for three days in mourning of the incident. The whole MNDF force is with the family of Shaukath and our prayers are with him and his family

Amaze Your Partner at a Club Med All-Inclusive Resort this Autumn
Great prices in September and October for 'wow factor' Club Med destinations including the Maldives, Mauritius, Phuket, Bali, Egypt and Mexico - Couples can enjoy fewer crowds and off peak prices, saving up to GBP 400 pc

Oil storage development for Maldives
The Maldives State Trading Organisation is to build an oil storage facility in the northern region of the area, to hold 600m² of oil. Shahid Ali, the MD of the National Planning Council, has approved the company’s development and says the government had conducted a study which shows the project would be beneficial to the region. The island targeted for development has not yet been revealed but it is somewhere in the Haa Alif Atoll region in the north of the Maldives.

Kuramathi Island Resort’s ‘Eco Centre’ Claims an International Environment Prize
Kuramathi Island Resort (http://www.kuramathi.com/) has been officially recognized as a major contributor to exercise better environment sustainability methods within its operations and guest experience provided. By winning the prestigious World of TUI International Environmental Award, the Eco Centre on Kuramathi Island Resort (http://www.kuramathi.com/environment/ecocentre.html) becomes the first winner of this renowned acclamation within the Asia Pacific region. A colourful function took place at the Eco Centre of Kuramathi Island Resort, with the President of the Republic of Maldives, His Excellency President Mohamed Nasheed, as Chief Guest. Together with the award, prize money worth 10’000 Euros was also granted to the Eco Centre. According to TUI, the financial assistance that accompanies the award is an investment in reliable partnership that benefits the natural environment and the local population in their destinations.

The Raging Bull rides to glory at Sultans
Australian surfer Mark Occhilupo won the single-fin division of the Four Seasons Surfing Champions Trophy today in clean one-metre waves at Sultans Reef near the Kuda Huraa resort north of Male. Nicknamed the ‘Raging Bull’, the 45 year-old surfer narrowly defeated seven-time women’s world champion, Layne Beachley in a closely fought final. “I haven’t surfed on a single fin in about 25 years,” said Occhilupo, who made his career riding three-finned ‘thruster’ surfboards, after his win. “I’m ecstatic right now and feel primed to take out the entire event”. All six competitors in the event are ex-world champion surfers, from 64 year-old Nat Young who won his first Title in 1966, to 27 year-old longboard specialist Josh Constable. Unlike most surfing competitions the Surf Champions Trophy is broken into three divisions, requiring surfers to master surfboards with one, two and three fins respectively. To compensate for age differences, heat-times are calculated by halving a competitor’s age. With the surf expected to improve later in the week and the waiting period running until September 4, competition is likely to conclude this weekend.

Mark Occhilupo goes single finned at Sultans Point
Mark Occhilupo has triumphed in the Single Fin division of the Four Seasons Surfing Champions Trophy, at Sultan's Point, Maldives. The former world surfing champion from the Australian Gold Coast defeated Layne Beachley, in off-shore, one metre (2 -4ft) waves. The opening day of the inaugural event, saw historic match-ups between six former world champions, who all drew clean lines across the reef break waves as they showcased the single fin surfing style of the 1960’s and 1970’s. Despite the nostalgia, passions ran high amongst the sensational six surfers who own an impressive 20 world titles between them. Occhilupo, 45, dominated the final with his trademark backhand top to bottom turns to leave seven-time world champion Beachley, 39, requiring a near perfect 9.57 on the final siren.

Deepening India-Maldives relations
South Block often faces criticism for neglecting the neighbourhood but, ironically, when it shows pro-activism to cultivate neighbours, critics tend to ignore its endeavours. A case in point is External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna's painstaking work. In recent months, he has helped in extending the arc of dialogue and cooperation through systematic visits to Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bangladesh and Myanmar. His recent trip to Maldives deserves attention because the skilful management of relations with this country is an indicator of the success of India's South Asia policy. The Economist recently commented that India's dealings with its neighbours are “mostly driven by arrogance and neglect,” an evaluation that is debatable. The magazine added that of its eight neighbours, “only two can be said to be happy with India.” They are Bhutan and Maldives. Maldives' angst: Located in the Indian Ocean, south-west of India, Maldives is a fascinating conglomeration of 1,200 islands and atolls, of which only 200 are inhabited. The nation faces an existentialist angst, not of the philosophical but real kind — of possible extinction due to the vagaries of climate change. The earth's warming and resultant rising sea levels mean that Maldives could disappear in a century or more, depending on which estimates are reliable. Maldivians, living at an average height of 1.5 metres above the mean sea level, experience the threat on a daily basis.