Maldives tops the World; Historic first as country takes its place on UN Human Rights Council
The Maldives today secured a seat on the Human Rights Council, the principal UN intergovernmental body responsible for promoting and protecting human rights and, alongside the Security Council and the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), one of the UN system’s three Councils. This is the first time that the Maldives has run for and secured membership of one of the main organs of the UN. Speaking after the vote in New York, Foreign Minister H.E. Dr. Ahmed Shaheed said: “This is a proud day for the Maldives; it is the culmination of our voyage from the international political wilderness to the centre stage. Only five years ago we were a human rights pariah, today our bid to secure a Council seat has won almost universal support from UN Member States. What is more, our success comes with the endorsement of international human rights NGOs which have identified the Maldives as one of only five candidates to have a human rights record worthy of a place on the Council”.

Maldives Foreign Minister calls on Pakistani Defense Minister and discuss cooperation on fighting terrorism
Pakistan will continue its struggle to combat and eliminate terrorism so as to ensure the security and integrity of the country. This was stated by Federal Minister for Defence, Chaudhry Ahmad Mukhtar, at a meeting with the visiting Foreign Minister of Maldives, Mr. Ahmed Shaheed, who called on him Thursday.The meeting exchanged views on various matters including Pakistan’s anti-terror efforts, bilateral trade and economic relations.

Government to provide electricity subsidies to all islands – President Nasheed. President discusses government decision to accept two Muslims held at Guantanamo Bay Detention Centre

Electricity subsidies
In his weekly radio address, President Mohamed Nasheed has said a seven-member taskforce has started work to facilitate electricity subsidies provision to all islands. The government has already introduced targeted electricity subsidies to households in Male. Acknowledging the need to find a permanent solution in providing subsidies, President Nasheed said the government was determined to find ways to lessen the burden on struggling households because of tariff hikes.

Airports hit by ash cloud disruption reopen
All Spanish airports reopened Wednesday after a day of volcano cloud chaos in which more than 1,000 flights were cancelled. A spokesman for the Spanish air traffic control organisation, Aena, said that the last airport to be affected by the cloud, at Valencia, started operations again at 0600 GMT. "All the airports are now open," the spokesman said. Airports in the Canary islands and across southern Spain were closed on Tuesday because of the cloud from Iceland's Eyjafjoell volcano, which began erupting on April 14 and has since caused the biggest aerial shutdown in Europe since World War II.

'Climate dice' now dangerously loaded: leading scientist
Centuries-old techniques to prevent desertification, energy wastage and other problems should be enlisted in the fight against global warming, a new UN-backed group said Wednesday. Traditional water management methods from the Sahara and Ethiopia and Iraq's Babylon area could be used alongside newer technologies such as solar power, the group said at its launch in Florence, central Italy. "Traditional knowledge and its innovative use is the basis for sustainable technology, and essential for the development of a new model of human progress," said Pietro Laureano, founding president of the UN-backed International Traditional Knowledge Institute (ITKI).

Earth may be too hot for humans by 2300: study
Climate change could make much of the world too hot for human habitation within just three centuries, research released Tuesday showed. Scientists from Australia's University of New South Wales and Purdue University in the United States found that rising temperatures in some places could mean humans would be unable to adapt or survive. "It would begin to occur with global-mean warming of about seven degrees Celsius (13 Fahrenheit), calling the habitability of some regions into question," the researchers said in a paper.

Salman to help rehabilitate child soldiers in Sri Lanka
The International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) will hold a charity match between Indian celebrities and Sri Lankan cricketers here in June to help rehabilitate former Tamil Tiger child soldiers. The event will be held in conjunction with the Sri Lankan cricket board, NGO Habitat for Humanity and UNICEF. Bollywood star Salman Khan will be the brand ambassador for the initiative. "We will help to invest to make homes in Jaffna. I love you guys and I will help you soon," the actor said at a press meet here. This year IIFA awards will be held June 3-5 in Colombo. The charity match will take place during the three-day event. The proceeds from the match will be used to help rehabilitate children who once fought in the ranks of the now decimated Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE). IIFA, in partnership with Habitat for Humanity, also plans to adopt and rebuild a village populated by those displaced by the war.

Indian PM hails Cameron, invites for visit
Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh called new British Prime Minister David Cameron to offer congratulations and invited him to make an early visit to Delhi, a spokesman said Wednesday.
In a "very warm and friendly" conversation lasting 10 minutes, the two men discussed bilateral issues "but foremost was a discussion on the world economy", a spokesman for Cameron's Downing Street office said. "Both reinforced the strong bilateral relationship between India and the United Kingdom and looked forward to strengthening it further," he said. "Prime Minister Singh invited the prime minister to make an early visit to Delhi." Cameron, who took office Tuesday at the head of a coalition government of his Conservatives and the smaller Liberal Democrats, has called for a "new special relationship" with India, the world's largest democracy. The Conservative election manifesto also includes a pledge to support a permanent seat on the UN Security Council for India, along with Japan, Germany, Brazil and Africa.

                 13 May 2010 | Thursday                 

The Maldives Establishes Diplomatic Relations with Nicaragua

New York: The Republic of Maldives and the Republic of Nicaragua have established diplomatic relations today, at a ceremony that was held in New York. The Joint Communiqué formalising diplomatic relations between the two countries was signed on behalf of the Government of Maldives, by H.E. Mr Abdul Ghafoor Mohamed, Permanent Representative of the Republic of Maldives to the United Nations and by H.E.Mrs María Rubiales de Chamorro, Permanent Representative of Nicaragua to the United Nations, on behalf of the Government of the Republic of Nicaragua. The ceremony was held at the Permanent Mission of the Republic of Nicaragua to the United Nations. Nicaragua is located in the Central American region bordering Honduras and Costa Rica. The country’s political system is a representative democracy with His Excellency Mr. Daniel Ortega, who was elected to office in Januray 2007, as the President.Prior to the establishment of formal diplomatic relations, the Maldives have always enjoyed close and cordial relations with Nicaragua and share similar concerns in the international community such as climate change adaptation and mitigation. The Republic of Nicaragua is the 156th country to establish diplomatic relationswith the Maldives.

“Most Educated MP” Challenges US:
DRP VP Voiced Concern Over Gov. Adopting Gitmo Detainees

The one who claims himself as the most educated MP in the Maldives , with just a basic degree from Malaysia in hand, The Deputy Leader of Dhivehi Rayyithunge Party ( Former President Gayyoom’s Part) parliamentarian, Ali Waheed of Thoddoo urged the National Security Committee at the parliament to investigate government adopting Guantanamo Bay Prison detainees. Ali Waheed called the committee to look into the agreement between Maldives and the United States to shelter some detainees he claims from Guantanamo Bay maximum security prison. He said he brought this issue to the committee as urgent matter because it will be a security threat. He said the prisoners at the Gitmo prison are the believed to be the biggest criminals and asked the committee to investigate the issue especially if there is a hand by the Minister of Foreign Affairs in agreement. In a letter sent to the national security committee Ali Waheed said that the country in a tense situation with criminal activities emerging to record high level it would threaten the national security and could escalate criminal activities beyond reach. He said he believes the detainees from Gitmo will be freely roaming among the people of Maldives and will pose danger to our communities. He called Human Rights Commission, Maldives National Defence Force and any other concerned authority to intervene to stop such agreement to imply. He also said such agreements should not be abide without the consent of the parliament. Although DRP presently is seeking support for the councils to be elected soon, Ali Waheed may have to feel that his fingers are burning, since he even didin’t mention about his doings to his party collegues. A Close College of him DRP Parliamentry Group told raajjenews that Ali Waheed has done all these just with a single mind..

New British government outlines policies
British Prime Minister David Cameron and Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg held an unprecedented press conference Wednesday to outline the policies their government will follow over the next five years. The Downing Street news conference was the first opportunity for the new coalition government's two key leaders to say what direction their policies will take. Cameron's right-of-center Conservative party is the larger player in the alliance with the much smaller Liberal Democrat party led by Clegg.

Banyan Tree's Q1 profit up 2% to S$5.34m
Mainboard-listed luxury resorts operator Banyan Tree said today that its first quarter profit attributable to shareholders rose 2 per cent on-year to S$5.34 million. The improved earnings was accompanied by a 9 per cent hike in its revenue to S$96.2 million. Banyan Tree says the good showing was largely driven by its hotel investments segment. The firm's hotel investment unit achieved a revenue of S$69.4 million over the period, an improvement of 20 per cent on-year. Higher revenue was seen mainly from its resorts in Thailand and China, which partially offset lower revenue from Maldives.

APA conference kicks off in Tehran
Delegates from 16 countries have arrived in Tehran to take part in a three-day conference of the Permanent Political Committee of the Asian Parliamentary Assembly (APA). Representatives from sixteen APA member states are scheduled to discuss major security issues in the Asian continent on the first day of the conference. The participating countries are also due to prepare a draft resolution for future presentation to the APA Executive Council. Increasing the level of cooperation among APA parliaments and their governments are among the issues set to be addressed during the meeting. Parliamentary delegations from Russia, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Lebanon, Syria, Bahrain, Turkey, India, Bangladesh, Maldives, Indonesia, Cambodia, Kuwait, Iraq, Palestine and Iran will attend the APA sessions held in the Iranian capital.

                 12 May 2010 | Wednesday                 

Cabinet decides on four islands that will be leased for resort development to finance the housing project

The Cabinet, in its today’s meeting, has decided on the four islands that will be leased in the first phase for resort development to raise funds for the government’s housing projects. Four islands, which will be leased in this phase, out of the eight islands that are allocated for resort development specifically to finance the housing project will be Dhigali and Fushivelaavaru of Raa Atoll, Raafushi and Huivani of Noonu Atoll. The Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture will lease these four islands on tender basis in accordance with the Tourism Act and the administrative framework on land. These four islands will be awarded to parties that offer to make the biggest contribution to the housing fund. Further, the Cabinet decided to allot block number 363 of Male’ to the Ministry of Housing, Transport and Environment to develop 108 housing units according to the proposed housing model for Male’. After deliberating on a paper presented by the Ministry of Human Resource, Youth and Sports, the Cabinet also decided to ratify UNESCO’s International Convention against Doping in Sports. Members highlighted the importance of the Maldives’ accession to the Convention noting its increasing participation in regional and international sports.

The President appoints acting Minister of Economic Development

President Nasheed has appointed Minister of Communication and Civil Aviation, Mr Mahmood Razee as the acting Minister of Economic Development.

President Nasheed appoints two new members to the Employment Tribunal

President Mohamed Nasheed has appointed two new full-time members to the Employment Tribunal. The two newly appointed members are:

- Mr Mohamed Ahmed, Burevimaage / Lh. Hinnavaru
- Mr Moosa Ali Kaleyfaanu, Husnuheenaage / R. Kan’dholhudhoo

The two members took their oath of office before the President at a ceremony held this morning at the President’s Office. The oath was administered by Supreme Court Judge Abdulla Areef. Speaking at the ceremony, the President urged the two new members to go by their oaths and fulfil the responsibilities of the Employment Tribunal.

9th Interpol Regional Meeting Begins in Bandos

The 9th regional level Interpol member countries Meeting began in Bandos Island resort here in the Maldives today. Speaking at the opening of the summit local Interpol Second Contact Officer and also the Chief Inspector of Police Mohamed Hameed said that Interpol service here in the country was earlier limited within the police administration. Hameed said the country today is need of help from International Police Organization to monitor and prevent Trans-National or International criminal activities. He said the meeting was aimed to a wider discussions on prepositions required to the country. The meeting also will discuss information sharing among regional members and expanding provision for information sharing. He said the meeting will pave way for building a wider network in the region. Maldives have worked to hold the meeting in the country with the assistance of Interpol Regional Secretariat and was obliged by the secretariat allowing Maldives to hold the meeting in picturesque tourist island resort of Bandos. The Interpol Executive Committee member Thariq Cosa said that the initiative by the Maldives is very much appreciated and said he is very for the response from the Maldives. Speaking at the inaugural he said the biggest problem in the region is human and illegal drug trafficking with terrorism. The three day meeting will continue until Thursday with 30 countries participating the gathering.

Maldives searches for young talent

31 players have been shortlisted and divided into three groups according to their previous performances. Most of the 31 have already participated in ACC age-group tournaments. The four teams making up the 40-over competition can also play three players over the age of 25 per side with a few playing restrictions. President Ahmad Hassan Didi said: The senior players are only included for the purpose of guiding the younger ones. There is much they can learn from them. We expect the seniors to steer and lead them on the field and give them tips on match situations as well.

Saudi king orders prosecutions in Jeddah flood disaster

Saudi King Abdullah on Monday called for the prosecution of an unstated number of officials and businessmen after a flood in Jeddah last year killed at least 123 people and sparked a rare outburst of public anger. Abdullah said in a royal order that justice ministry prosecutors should take action on cases of alleged corruption and malfeasance in managing city construction and land which may have exacerbated the November 25 disaster. Citing "the magnitude of this calamity and its tragic aftermath," he said officials should "inflict the deterrent Islamic punishment on all those who are proven to be guilty or careless in this." The order was published on the official news agency SPA. It came a month after Prince Khaled al-Faisal, the governor of the Mecca region which includes Jeddah, presented the king with the results of preliminary investigations into the flood. Thousands of families were left homeless by the inundation of the Red Sea coast city of more than three million after heavy rains in the mountains to the east sent water gushing down into the coastal plain. More than 10,785 buildings were wrecked and 10,850 vehicles destroyed, according to official statistics. Prince Khaled's investigators interrogated dozens of current and former city officials, contractors and businessmen, focusing on why Jeddah's infrastructure failed to drain the water as it should have done. They also focused on why land set aside for drainage routes around the city had been overbuilt with commercial and residential buildings, often with ostensibly legal land ownership documents. The original inquiry came after an unprecedented, mostly Internet-channelled outburst from Jeddah residents over the flood, with many asking why years of infrastructure planning and billions of dollars had left the city still vulnerable and unprepared. With many people calling for an investigation into city and regional managers, Abdullah ordered the initial probe into what went wrong.

Top AIDS activist flees China for US

China's top AIDS activist, whose group helped uncover a major tainted blood-selling scandal in the 1990s, said Tuesday he had fled with his family to the United States because he feared for his safety. Wan Yanhai, 46, said he, his wife and his daughter were staying with friends in the eastern US city of Philadelphia after leaving China in recent days. "I have been living in fear, if I wasn't afraid then I wouldn't have left... I have no sense of personal safety," Wan told AFP by telephone. "There were a lot of pressures -- from the commerce and industry departments, the police, the tax authorities, the propaganda department, the education ministry."

                 11 May 2010 | Tuesday                 

Swiss Ambassador pays farewell call on the President

Swiss Ambassador to the Maldives Mrs. Ruth Flint paid her farewell call on President Mohamed Nasheed today. During the call, which took place at the President's Office this afternoon, the President expressed his appreciation for the Ambassador's contribution to strengthen the friendly ties that exist between the Maldives and Switzerland. The President and the Ambassador also discussed regional issues, human rights as well as bilateral ties. The farewell call was attended by Vice President Dr Mohamed Waheed, Advisor on Political Affairs Hassan Afeef and Minister of Foreign Affairs Dr Ahmed Shaheed.

HDC awards iRin Planar One Joint Venture (JV) with the contract for development of the “Row House Project 2010” in Hulhumale'

Housing Development Corporation Ltd. (HDC) has awarded iRin Planar One Joint Venture (JV) with the contract for development of the “Row House Project 2010” in Hulhumalé. iRin Planar One JV is a joint venture between a Maldivian Company, iRin Enterprises Pvt. Ltd. and a Singaporean Company, Planar One and Associates Pvt. Ltd. As per the contract, iRin Planar One JV will develop 2 blocks of Row Houses, with each block consisting 6 units totaling to 12 Row Houses. The contract was signed today, 29th of April 2010, during a ceremony held at the HDC Head Office in Hulhumalé. Managing Director, Mr. Mahjoob Shujau signed the agreement of behalf of HDC while Director, Mr. Samiu Anwar signed the agreement of behalf of iRin Planar One JV. The Row Houses will be constructed within the residential neighborhood one of Hulhumalé and is well accessible to the commercial facilities, the school, hospital and parks and recreational spaces. Each Row House will occupy a land area of 904 square feet and will be developed into two floors. The ground floor is designed flexibly to serve as a residential or commercial use space, whereas the second and first floors are purely for residential use. Each Row House will consist of a sitting and dining area, plus 3 bed rooms. HDC plans to sell the Row Houses through mortgage finance arrangements facilitated through Housing Development Finance Corporation. HDFC is willing to avail mortgage loans of up to 15 years at an interest rate of 11.75% to customers complying with their credit screening for the purchase of these Row Houses. HDC will be announcing for the sale of the Row Houses within the next two months.

Manta Watch at Four Seasons Resort Maldives (until October 24, 2010)
Name/Location of the Hotel:
Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Landaa Giraavaru
Deal Start and End Dates:
June 1 - October 24, 2010
About the Hotel
A scenic sea-plane ride from Malé Airport, discover a paradise hideaway where luxurious seclusion meets wild natural beauty. This verdant, beach-fringed coral island offers sophisticated pleasures on land and water – from genuine ayurvedic therapies in the spa to splashing, sailing or diving in the jewel-like Indian Ocean and in the pristine lagoon.

Lib Dem coalition talks set to reach 'crunch time'
The process of forming a new government may be resolved in the next 24 hours, according to a senior Liberal Democrat source who said it was "crunch time". The Lib Dems have held talks with the Tories and Labour in a bid to form an alliance which could run the country. Gordon Brown, whose presence in Downing Street was seen as harming Labour's chance of a deal, has announced he will step down as party leader by September. No party won a Commons overall majority at Thursday's general election.

Australian police investigate reports of 5 Sri Lanka asylum seekers lost in the Indian Ocean
Police are investigating reports that five Sri Lankan asylum seekers were lost at sea after leaving their stricken boat to board a makeshift raft in an attempt to reach Australian islands in the Indian Ocean, an official said on Monday. Australian Federal Police and government officials were interviewing 59 asylum seekers who were rescued from the same boat last week and delivered Monday to an immigration detention centre at Christmas Island, an Australian territory near Indonesia, Home Affairs Minister Brendan O'Connor said in a statement.

Sri Lanka's exports increased in February 2010 but trade gap widened
May 10, Colombo: Sri Lanka's external sector performance improved in February indicating the recovery of economy along with the gradual recovery of the global economy, the Central Bank disclosed today. The earnings from exports grew by 20.0 percent in February 2010 to US dollars 629 million led by higher earnings from agricultural and industrial exports, Central Bank data revealed. However, the expenditure on imports increased by 60.6 percent to US dollars 973 million, due to the increased demand for imports within all the sub sectors widening the trade gap to US dollars 344 million in February 2010. The rise in export earnings was attributed to the increase in export volumes of tea and rubber which increased by 20.1 percent and 44.1 percent, respectively. Sri Lanka's tea crop fetched higher prices in the international market with prices of tea rising by 25.7 percent to US dollars 4.35 per kg while rubber prices increased to US dollars 2.86 per kg, reflecting a 95.4 per cent increase compared to February 2009, mainly due to the recovery in international demand, the Central Bank data revealed. During the first two months of 2010, foreign remittances increased by 13.0 percent over the corresponding period of 2009 to US dollars 564 million. By the end of February 2010 the Bank had reserves without Asian Clearing Union (ACU) funds of US dollars 5.032 million, equivalent to 5.5 months of imports.

Call for private forces to fight pirates
As Somali pirates extend their operation deeper into the Indian Ocean, Western private security firms are seeking to re-establish the centuries-old system of "letters of marque and reprisal" that allows privateers to pursue maritime marauders. The system was introduced by King Edward III of England in the Middle Ages but it is also on U.S. statute books as Article One, paragraph 8, clauses 10 and 11, of the U.S. Constitution, and in Title 33 of the U.S. Code, paragraphs 385 and 386.

                 10 May 2010 | Monday                 

Maldives Concerned over UK Environment Zone from Diego Garcia without Maritime Border

Maldives has expressed concern over an environment safe zone from Diego Garcia declared by United Kingdom declaration of the “Environment Protestation Zone” in the Diego Garcia, Foreign Minister Dr. Ahmed Shaheed has said. He said the demarcation line between the southern Maldives and Diego Garcia has not been specified. The Minister said the country’s concern had been forwarded to United Kingdom in a letter and is expecting a response from the English government. Dr. Shaheed said the UK government had agreed to discuss on the maritime border, an imaginary line in the ocean between the Maldives and Diego Garcia. He said the country will study the so-called “Environment Protection Zone” thoroughly and will respond to the UK government. According to the UN’s Convention on the Law of the Sea, each country can claim for 200 nautical miles off their coasts. However, the furthest south of the country and between Diego Garcia is only 300 miles, in which the 200 miles for both Maldives and Diego Garcia, cannot be obtained. According to UN Convention, in such situations the ocean in between two will not have equal division of maritime border unless both countries are inhabited. Since Diego Garcia being a military facility, Maldives is to get the 200 nautical miles and Diego Garcia will get the remaining 100 miles. The government is to submit its claim for the Limits of the Continental Shelf to the UN’s Commission.

Sri Lanka to set up new Provincial Development Bank
Sri Lanka President Mahinda Rajapaksa has taken steps in his capacity as the Minister of Finance to set up a new development bank incorporating the four provincial development banks, the Presidential Secretariat said. The new bank is to be named as the Provincial Development Bank and a new director board and a chairman will be appointed for it. Sri Lanka currently has four provincial development Banks. They are Ruhunu Development Bank, Udarata Development Bank, Sabaragamu Development Bank and Wayamba Development Bank. These banks have a wide network of branches and clients. The current chairmen of these provincial development banks are to be appointed as directors of the new Provincial Development Bank, Presidential Secretariat sources say.

Pakistan detains man with electrical circuit hidden in shoes
Pakistani police were interrogating Monday a man arrested at Karachi airport trying to board a plane for the Middle East with batteries and an electrical circuit hidden in his shoes. The 30-year-old civil engineer was detained late Sunday when a scanner sounded an alarm as he proceeded towards the departure gate for a Thai Airways flight for Muscat, airport security said. The bearded man, who has been named as Faiz Mohammad, allegedly told interrogators he came from northwestern province Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, where Taliban and Islamist militants have a presence. The suspect was not found in possession of explosives, but Airport Security Force spokesman Mohammad Munir termed as "worrying" the discovery of four batteries, a circuit and an on-off button secreted in his shoes. "The devices found from the suspect suggested that if he was carrying explosive material, he could have easily blown the explosives up in the plane," said Munir. "We have handed over the man to police," he told AFP on Monday. "It is a crime to carry any disallowed item onto an aircraft, which includes explosives or accessories," Munir said. Strict security arrangements are in place and flights now operating normally from Karachi, which is Pakistan's busiest international hub. The suspect allegedly told investigators he was living in the southern city of Karachi, but was planning to return to Muscat, where he had previously worked for a construction company, to set up his own business. A British man, Richard Reid, tried to blow up a transatlantic jet in December 2001 with explosives hidden in his shoes. Sunday's arrest comes a week after US agents arrested a Pakistani-American man, Faisal Shahzad, for allegedly attempting to blow up a car bomb in New York. The United States has accused the Pakistani Taliban of being behind the plot to detonate a car bomb in Times Square on May 1 and has ratcheted up pressure on Pakistan to crack down on Islamist havens along the Afghan border.

Europe unveils trillion-dollar euro crisis fund
Europe on Monday announced a trillion-dollar rescue package for crisis-hit euro countries backed by the IMF and central banks worldwide, sending the euro surging in Asian trade. Leaders hope an unprecedented international intervention, officially running to more than 750 billion euros, will represent a game-changing financial war chest. Essentially, Europe wants to leverage vast borrowings to prop up nations the way governments did their banks during the global financial crisis - keeping interest rates down. The Bank of Japan joined the European Central Bank (ECB) and those of Britain, Canada, Switzerland and the United States in coordinated moves aimed at nudging global money, debt and currency markets forward, which drew ringing endorsements from the Group of 20 leading world economies. A statement issued by South Korea, which will chair a G20 summit in November following a summit hosted by Canada next month, said members remain "strongly committed" to working together to maintain global financial stability. European Union finance ministers agreed, after marathon talks lasting more than 11 hours, that 440 billion euros would come from the troubled eurozone plus another 60 billion euros from the European Commission coffers. That would be backed by "at least half as much" again from the International Monetary Fund, or another 250 billion euros. The overall package was described as a series of "far-reaching steps" by IMF managing director Dominique Strauss-Kahn. The plan "proves that we shall defend the euro whatever it takes," said the EU's commissioner for economic and monetary affairs, Olli Rehn. The battered euro currency surged over the 1.29 level against the dollar in Asian trade, up from 1.2755 dollars in New York late Friday. Last week, it had hit a 14-month low of 1.2523 dollars last week on fears that marbled European debts could hit the world's financial system in the same way the collapse of Lehman Brothers did two years ago. Tokyo stocks also rose, and the European Central Bank subsequently said it would "conduct interventions in the euro area public and private debt securities markets." The ECB said these were justified by "exceptional circumstances," and further announced that it along with central banks in Britain, Canada, Switzerland and the United States would intervene to ensure that dollar shortages do not occur in European markets. Traders and analysts have been pushing in recent days and weeks for the Frankfurt-based institution to implement a so-called "nuclear" option, seeking its agreement to buy euro countries' bonds or accept toxic eurozone government debt as collateral. The breakthrough followed urgent telephone calls during Sunday between US President Barack Obama, German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Nicolas Sarkozy.

Yemen seizes boat carrying automatic weapons
Yemen's coast guard commander says authorities have seized a fishing boat carrying some automatic weapons, night vision goggles and ammunition. The state-run Radio Sana'a quoted Brigadier Yahia Rassi as saying the boat was seized Saturday evening near the port of Aden. He said the 14 Indian and Somali crew members were arrested. No other details were released, but Rassi said boat was carrying a "limited quantity" of automatic weapons, ammunition and night vision goggles. He did not say who the intended recipient of the shipment was, but Yemen's Al Qaida offshoot is a possibility. Al Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula claimed responsibility for the failed Christmas Day attempt to bomb an American airliner bound for Detroit.

                 9 May 2010 | Sunday                 

President dismisses Mr Mohamed Rasheed from the post of Minister of Economic Development

President Mohamed Nasheed has today dismissed Mr Mohamed Rasheed from the post of Minister of Economic Development. The President’s Office cited Article 115(f) and 137(a) of the Constitution for the dismissal. In a letter forwarded to Mr Mohamed Rasheed today, President Nasheed expressed gratitude for services rendered during his tenure as Minister of Economic Development.

President lectures on political jargons to MCHE journalism students

At a special event organized by the students of Maldives College of Higher Education’s journalism programme to mark the Press Freedom Day, President Mohamed Nasheed has lectured on political jargons. The President said in the past, it was not only the journalists who were under arrest, and not only the freedom of expression that was restricted, but rather the main obstacle to press freedom was that Dhivehi language had been “under arrest”. Highlighting the increasing freedom on the use of language during the past few years, the President said new words, as well as political and policy jargons were now being introduced into mainstream media. He said if new political and policy jargons were properly explained at this early stage, these words and connotations associated with them would become mainstreamed. The President said, therefore, this would make it easier for journalists to write concise and comprehensive reports. After his lecture, the President responded to questions from the students.

Fisheries Agency ready to assist missing fishing boat
Kaohsiung, May 9 (CNA) The government has been assisting with the efforts to locate a Kaohsiung-based tuna fishing boat that is feared to have been hijacked by Somali pirates west of the Maldives, a Fisheries Agency official said Sunday. Chen Tien-shou, deputy director-general of the Fisheries Agency under the Cabinet Council of Agriculture, said the agency has been in close collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) since Saturday and is ready to extend any possib

Dunya: Govt. ready to implement DRP’s bill on Domestic Violence

President Mohamed Nasheed has told DRP Women’s Wing President Dunya Maumoon that he is ready to implement the opposition bill on domestic violence being drafted presently, although the government has completed a similar bill. While the government had almost completed drafting a similar bill, the government was ready to implement the DRP’s bill once passed, Nasheed told his weekly radio address. “I support as much as I could the work being done by the President of DRP’s Women’s Wing, Dhunya Maumoon. I hope the bill will be submitted to the Majlis very soon,” he added. Former Deputy Foreign Minister Dunya, the daughter of ex President Abdul Gayoom told the Asian Tribune that “the work on the bill is in the very early stages” and would be finalized soon. I cannot allow disenfranchisement of half of the electorate – Nasheed. Saying that he will not ratify the Bill on Local Council Elections, President Mohamed Nasheed said it violates rights of half the electorate to vote, as it required non-residents in Male’ to travel to their registered islands to vote. “I cannot allow disenfranchisement of about half of the electorate. In my mind, it is not right, and it is not a good bill,” Nasheed said in his weekly radio address. However, Nasheed said he would ratify the Decentralisation Bill passed by Parliament on 28 April, although the bill is not perfect. “Delaying it would bring more harm than benefits,” Nasheed said on the bill. The controversial bill was passed without provisions for seven provinces as proposed by the government. The President stressed the benefits of regionalization, adding provincial administration now would continue based on the powers vested in the President by the Constitution. He said a legal framework was needed to fully implement the plan, and expressed hope there would be a new legislation at a later stage.

DHIRAAGU ANNOUNCES 50% DISCOUNT ON BROADBAND INTERNET CONNECTION

Dhiraagu has today launched a Dhiraagu Broadband Internet promotion, offering 50% discount on ADSL connection. The normal price for Dhiraagu ADSL Broadband Internet connection is Rf. 500, and Rf. 1,000 if a new line has to be installed. With the current promotion offering 50% discount on the applicable price, customers can get connected for as little as Rf. 250. Dhiraagu’s Broadband Internet service offers reliability and speeds up to 10Mbps. We are therefore pleased to run this Broadband Internet promotion allowing customers to take full advantage of our recently revamped Broadband packages for as low as Rf 250. The promotion will run for two months, starting from today, Sunday 09 May 2010, and is applicable in all islands with Dhiraagu ADSL Broadband service, namely Male’, Hulhumale’ and Villingili in Kaafu Atoll, Haa Dhaalu Kulhudhuffushi, Baa Eydhafushi, Gaafu Dhaalu Thinadhoo, Gnaviyani Fuvahmulah, and Hulhu-Meedhoo, Gan, Feydhoo, Maradhoo, Maradhoo-Feydhoo and Hithadhoo in Seenu Atoll. Dhiraagu provides Internet service to a large percent of the Maldivian population, and was the first to launch Broadband packages offering 10Mbps speed for Home and Business users in the country.

                 8 May 2010 | Saturday                 

President Nasheed sends condolences following the death of President of Nigeria
President Mohamed Nasheed has sent a message of condolence to the President of Nigeria on the death of President Umaru Musa Yar'Adua.
The President’s message reads as follows:
Quote:
“It is with profound sadness that I learned of the death of President Umaru Musa Yar'Adua. President Yar'Adua dedicated his life to realising the vision of a peaceful and prosperous future for the people of Nigeria. His death comes as a great loss and his services will forever be remembered. On this sad day, on behalf of the people and the government of the Maldives, I send our heartfelt condolences to the family of President Yar'Adua, and our deep sympathies are with the people and the government of Nigeria.”
Unquote:
President Nasheed has also declared that the National Flag be flown at half-mast for two days from tomorrow, following the passing away of President Yar'Adua.

Nigerian president dies after long illness
Nigerian President Umaru Yar'Adua, long plagued by poor health, has died at age 58, almost three months after his vice-president assumed control of Africa's most populous nation, Yar'Adua's spokesman said. Yar'Adua died Wednesday at the Aso Rock presidential villa with his wife Turai at his side, presidential spokesman Olusegun Adeniyi told The Associated Press, his voice cracking with emotion. Adeniyi did not give a cause of death

No conditions says EU

The Delegation of the European Union to Sri Lanka and the Maldives says no list of conditions have been communicated to the Government of Sri Lanka in order to obtain the GSP plus trade concessions. A Government delegation will visit the European Commission headquarters later this month for talks on retaining the key trade concessions. The discussions, foreseen in Brussels on the 20th and 21st of May will address issues highlighted in the European Commission's final report on Sri Lanka's eligibility for GSP Plus issued in October 2009, the EU office in Colombo said. This latest round of discussions is part of the continuing dialogue between the parties on these issues. “The Delegation of the European Union to the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka & the Maldives would like to underline that no list of conditions has been communicated to the Government. The Delegation emphasises that any review of the European Commissions recommendations on GSP Plus is not dependent on any single measure,” the EU added. Moreover the Delegation wishes to underline the EU's respect for the judicial process of Sri Lanka and has no position on any ongoing court case in Sri Lanka. It would therefore be inappropriate for the Delegation to express a view on any such judicial proceedings.

Taiwanese vessel hijacked by pirates off Somalia
A Taiwanese fishing boat was hijacked by pirates off the Somali coast who demanded a ransom for the crew, the Foreign Ministry said Saturday. The ship's Taiwanese owner lost contact with Tai Yuan 227 two days ago as it headed for the Maldives. When the owner resumed contact with the vessel a day later, he was told by hijackers to pay a ransom for the crew, the ministry said. "The boat has since changed direction to sail toward Somalia, so this may very well have been done by the Somali pirates," the ministry said in a statement. "We hope that the many other boats sailing in the area can stay alert and avoid the pirates from launching an attack at other boats from the Tai Yuan 227." It wasn't immediately clear how many crew were aboard the trawler. Foreign Ministry officials refused to provide contact information for the boat's owner, saying he wanted to remain anonymous until the crew was released. Pirate attacks have continued to climb despite the presence of about 35 international warships patrolling the waters off the lawless Somalia coast. Pirates currently hold more than 300 hostages taken from ships attacked off East Africa in the last several months. Eleven suspected Somali pirates were indicted in U.S. federal court late last month, but the international community has had problems formulating an accepted policy to try and jail pirate suspects. Pirates boarded the Russian tanker Moscow University off the coast of Somalia on Wednesday. They were arrested Thursday after special forces from a Russian warship stormed the tanker. A gunbattle ensued in which one pirate was killed, and 10 others were detained. The pirates seized were released because of "imperfections" in international law, Russia's Defense Ministry said Friday, a claim that sparked skepticism — and even suspicion the pirates might have been killed. Anarchy has reigned in Somalia since 1991, when warlords overthrew longtime dictator Mohamed Siad Barre and then turned on each other. The weak Somali government controls only a small bit of the capital, Mogadishu, and is battling Islamic insurgents. The lawlessness has allowed the piracy trade to flourish off Somalia's coastline.

Sri Lanka set to probe abuses
SRI Lanka's government is to investigate alleged human rights abuses during the 25-year civil war that killed an estimated 80,000-100,000 people. President Mahinda Rajapaksa will appoint a commission comprising seven members – a mix of Sri Lankans and foreigners – his office said in a statement yesterday. The body will also recommend compensation for victims of the conflict. The war ended in May 2009 after the military crushed the Tamil Tiger rebels in their northern stronghold.

Promises Goes Agreements to Near Future
The Minister of Housing and environment Mohamed Aslam has said that his Ministry will be signing a deal for the government promised 1000 housing Units in Male’. He said the deal will be agreed with an Indian Company. Aslam said that the agreement will be signed between Indian Kargowal and the government as soon as a delegation from the company arrives from India. Aslam said Agreement is already prepared and its details were being agreed with both parties. He said he will be expecting the agreement to be signed in two days. The Minister is already on a European Tour when he gave the green light he was in France, according to the ministry. According to the ministry, he further said that he had worked for investors’ interest to and will review soon. The blunt promises of housing solution delaying had been fading many public prospects for better life and especially for the people of Male’, but the minister said that the people will see the harbor projects and housing developments in the islands in action very soon. He did not say all harbor projects will begin at a same time but he said most of the harbor projects will begin in a near future.

MNDF Will not Allow Maldives to be Used as Terrorist Haven and Strategic Attacking Base

Maldives National Defense Force has said that the national security will not allow any terrorist activists nesting in Maldives. They made the announcement after some foreign media reports speculated the country is blinded while some terrorists planning to nest here for their strategic activities. Maldives, emerging from unknown beauty as a tourist destination with its peaceful people had been targeted many incidents by prying eyes. The country also have been famous to the world for its hospitable courtesy for tourists and visitors but had always been against hatred and terrorism. With speculation rife of terrorist activists actively in Maldives the Coast Guard of the Maldives National Defence Force told media that they did not have any evidence of terrorist activities in the country. The reports speculated that the militant outfit of Pakistani Lashkar-E-Toiba is trying to plan attacks and train their militants in an uninhabited island in the country. The national security says there is no evidence or proof of any such activities found in the country. Abdul Raheem from the MNDF Coast Guard said that there is no intelligence or any of such sharing agencies have sent any information on reports of militants planning to infiltrate the natural paradise haven for tourists. He said Maldives and India had been enjoying very close ties in defense. He also said that there is deep relation of information sharing between Indian and Maldivian defense.

                 7 May 2010 | Friday                 

President to ratify decentralisation bill; says he cannot allow disenfranchisement of half of the electorate

In his weekly radio address, President Mohamed Nasheed has said he will ratify the Decentralisation Bill which was passed by the People’s Majlis on 28 April. He said while the Bill was not perfect, delaying it would bring more harm than benefits. The Bill was passed without provisions for seven provinces as proposed by the government. In his address, the President stressed the benefits of regionalisation, adding provincial administration now would continue based on the powers vested in the President by the Constitution. He said a legal framework was needed to fully implement the plan, and expressed hope there would be a new legislation at a later stage.

President officially inaugurates work on Rasdhoo harbour

President Mohamed Nasheed has today officially inaugurated the harbour of Rasdhoo in North Ari atoll. Addressing the people of the island, President said although the previous administration had taken up Rasdhoo harbour project in 2007, the people of the island were not consulted on the matter. He also said initially the project was given a budget of Rufiyaa 16 million, but the project has now been given an extra Rufiyaa 10 million bringing the total amount to Rufiyaa 26 million. Further, he said that Rasdhoo was known as an island with the problem of land shortage. He said along with the new harbour, the island will get 60,000 square feet added to its land area. The President also said that the government had intended to begin the project last year, but that with the global economic downturn and the economic situation in the Maldives, the project could only be started this year. In his speech, the President also highlighted government’s other developmental plans for the island. The President arrived in Rasdhoo on Thursday afternoon.

President meets with former Italian Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs

President Mohamed Nasheed has today met with Hon. Gianni Vernetti, MP from Italy and a former Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs. The meeting was held Thursday afternoon at the President’s Office. Discussions at the meeting were mainly focused on strengthening relations between the Maldives and Italy and on the issue of climate change. Hon. Vernetti commended the President’s “leadership at the Copenhagen Summit”, especially his efforts to highlight the vulnerability of small island states. President Nasheed stressed the importance for countries to work together to reach a legally binding agreement on climate change. The meeting was also attended by Vice President Dr Mohamed Waheed, Special Envoy of the President Ibrahim Hussain Zaki and Minister of Foreign Affairs Dr Ahmed Shaheed.

Maldives, Singapore to share journalism expertise in Commonwealth assisted media workshop
A four-day Commonwealth Media Development Workshop organized in collaboration with the Maldives Journalists Association will be led by two senior editors from Singapore. “Development journalism media seminars will be held in Malé from 14-17 June 2010,” a statement from the Commonwealth Secretariat said. Mr Bhagman Singh, Senior Editor, NewsHub, MediaCorp News, which owns and operates the regional satellite news network, Channel NewsAsia, will lead on TV and radio journalism. Mr Jayandra Menon, Deputy Foreign Editor of The Straits Times, an English language daily, will share his skills on newspaper and online reporting.

Global Payments venture adds Asian markets

Amazing underwater wonderworld off Britain's coast reveals natural treasures
These stunning creatures look like they belong in the warm seas of the Maldives or the Great Barrier Reef. The multicoloured fish, violet sea slugs and purple urchins, however, inhabit the waters off the coast of Wales. Amateur divers captured these amazing images in the clear blue sea of the Skomer Marine Reserve. The reserve surrounds the 760-acre Skomer Island off the Pembrokeshire coast, itself an important breeding ground for Manx shearwaters and puffins.

HAWKERS AND PEDESTRIANS
The intervention of President Mahinda Rajapaksa to offer relief to the pavement hawkers who were evicted in a clean up of the Colombo city is a most welcome move. The President has offered to relocate these pavement hawkers at a designated area and also offered them each Rs 2,000 per day for two weeks when the proposed site would be ready. There is no doubt that there are genuine hawkers that occupied these pavements and it is their plight that the President had uppermost in his mind although they cannot claim any compensation as of right. He has at the same time to consider the travails of pedestrians for whom the pavements are really meant.

Research and Markets: Maldives - Telecoms, Mobile and Broadband
The Maldives prides itself on having built one of the most advanced telecommunications systems in the region. With the countrys well-developed national network, the capital Mal is particularly well served, as are the tourist resort islands. The critical issue of connectivity to the rest of the world for its relatively small population of lass than 350,000 has been addressed with considerable success; this has been further enhanced by the provision of a major submarine cable connection to Sri Lanka; at the same time the opportunity was taken to provide undersea links between the main atolls, thereby substantially strengthening the domestic connectivity. Efficient telecommunications services have been established to all inhabited islands by the national telco, Dhivehi Raajjeyge Gulhun Pvt Ltd (Dhiraagu). Dhiraagu, a joint venture between the government (65%) and Cable & Wireless plc (35%), has played a major role in setting up the countrys infrastructure. The company, despite having been criticised in the past for its hig

                 5 May 2010 | Wednesday                 

President transfers the functions of National Art Gallery to the National Center for the Arts
President Mohamed Nasheed transferred the functions of National Art Gallery, which was under the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, to the National Center for the Arts under the Ministry. It was also announced that the National Art Gallery will not be a separate administrative office, but rather an office managed by the National Center for the Arts. The purpose of the change is to eliminate the duplication of work by the National Art Gallery and the National Center for the Arts, and consequently reduce the cost of managing the Art Gallery.

President appoints Deputy Minister of State, South-Central Province

The President has today appointed Mr Ahmed Nasheed as Deputy Minister of State, South-Central Province. Mr Nasheed previously served as the Utility Development Director at the President’s Office.

Heavy rains, hail spark floods in Riyadh

Saudi officials ordered schools closed Tuesday after heavy rains and hail sparked flooding and paralysed traffic in Riyadh. Violent thunderstorms shook the normally arid Saudi capital Monday afternoon, flooding underpasses, stalling cars and blocking traffic, according to accounts from residents, television reports, and video footage on the web. There were no official reports of injuries. But with meteorological officials warning of more storms Tuesday, Riyadh region governor Prince Salman bin Abdul Aziz ordered schools to remain closed. "Due to heavy rains in Riyadh and warnings from the Department of Meteorology of the possibility of more heavy rains, Riyadh governor Prince Salman bin Abdul Aziz ordered the suspension of schools Tuesday," a statement posted by the official SPA news agency said.

Indian Oil’s Naphtha Exports May Fall 37% on $3.2 Billion Plant
May 4 (Bloomberg) -- Indian Oil Corp., the nation’s second- biggest refiner, may cut naphtha exports by about 37 percent after it started a $3.2 billion plant that will use the oil product to produce polymers that make plastics. Shipments out of the country may drop to about 1.7 million metric tons in the 12 months ending March from about 2.7 million tons a year earlier, Serangulam V. Narasimhan, director of finance, said in a telephone interview today.

Melting Icebergs Causing Sea Level Rise

Scientists have discovered that changes in the amount of ice floating in the polar oceans are causing sea levels to rise. The research, published this week in Geophysical Research Letters, is the first assessment of how quickly floating ice is being lost today. According to Archimedes' principle, any floating object displaces its own weight of fluid. For example, an ice cube in a glass of water does not cause the glass to overflow as it melts.

                 4 May 2010 | Tuesday                 

Free press necessary for democracy and development – President Nasheed

President Mohamed Nasheed has said a free press and a free discourse of ideas were necessary for consolidating democracy and achieving development. Speaking at a lunch function jointly hosted by the UN and the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture to celebrate World Press Freedom Day, the President said, “We want to have a free press and we want to do this because we strongly believe that freedom of press is important for consolidating democracy, and we also strongly believe that development can only be achieved through a free press.”

President meets with the US Pacific Command’s National Security Act Assessment team

President Mohamed Nasheed has met with the National Security Act Assessment team of the US Pacific Command visiting the Maldives. Discussions during the meeting held at the President’s Office this afternoon were focused on formulating a national defence and security plan. Speaking at the meeting President Nasheed spoke on the priority areas for national defence and security. He outlined the challenges faced by the Maldives due to terrorism, piracy in Western Indian Ocean and drug trafficking. During the meeting, the team highlighted the areas in which the US could assist the Maldives in further strengthening its national defence and security framework. The team led by US Defence and Army Attaché to Sri Lanka and Maldives Lieutenant Colonel Lawrence Smith include Mr John Hansen and Ms Carrie Casey from Defence Institutional Reform Initiative of US Pacific Command, Ms Shezi Khan of Joint Interagency Task Force West and Major Sean Nowlan of US Pacific Command. The meeting was also attended by Vice President Dr Mohamed Waheed, Special Envoy of the President Ibrahim Hussain Zaki, and the President’s Political Affairs Advisor Hassan Afeef.

Commonwealth to hold media development workshop in Maldives
Development journalism media seminars will be held in Malé from 14-17 June 2010. A four-day Commonwealth Media Development Workshop organised by the Commonwealth Secretariat in collaboration with the Maldives Journalists Association will be led by two senior editors from Singapore. Mr Bhagman Singh, Senior Editor, NewsHub, MediaCorp News, which owns and operates the regional satellite news network, Channel NewsAsia, will lead on TV and radio journalism, while Mr Jayandra Menon, Deputy Foreign Editor of The Straits Times, an English language daily, will share his skills on newspaper and online reporting. Reporting and editing, media law and ethics, media freedom, democracy and international relations, and the role of media in development, are some of the topics on the agenda of the free workshop offered to the Maldives media.

Saarc's Snarky Politics
The biggest impediment to improving South Asia's economic integration.
Launched in Bangladesh in 1985, the South Asian Association of Regional Cooperation was supposed to mimic the success of another trading bloc, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. At its 25-year anniversary last week, it's clear that politics—pure and simple—has gotten in the way. Like Asean, Saarc was meant to spark cross-border trade and investment that would raise living standards in one of the poorest regions of the world and help bridge the political chasms created by India's 1947 partition. But Saarc soon became a victim of political infighting and mutual mistrust. India-Pakistan's continuing disputes over Kashmir and terrorism presented the biggest hurdle. In 1998, both countries went nuclear; the next year, they fought a limited war. Then in 2008, Pakistani militants held Mumbai ransom for three days, killing over 170 innocents.

Middle East peace envoy Mitchell arrives for talks
Hours before envoy George Mitchell flew into Israel, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak conferred in Egypt's Red Sea resort of Sharm Al Shaikh about the upcoming US-mediated negotiations.

                 3 May 2010 | Monday                 

China-Maldives Business Forum held in Shanghai
China-Maldives Business Forum was held yesterday in Shanghai, China to promote economic and trade ties between the Maldives and China. More than 23 Chinese business organisations operating in areas important for the development of the Maldives participated in the Forum jointly organised by the Maldives Embassy in China and China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPI). These include companies operating in construction, fisheries, tourism, and transportation industries. Special Envoy of the President Ibrahim Hussain Zaki, Minister of Foreign Affairs Dr Ahmed Shaheed, and Minister of Economic Development Mohamed Rasheed spoke at the Forum. A presentation on the investment opportunities in the Maldives and the economic situation was also given at the Forum.

President and First Lady conclude their visits to Bhutan and China

President Mohamed Nasheed and First Lady Laila Ali have returned to Malé after concluding their visits to Bhutan and China. President Nasheed visited Bhutan to attend the Sixteenth SAARC Summit that was held in Thimphu from 28 to 29 April. While in Bhutan President Nasheed also met with the leaders of other SAARC member countries visiting Bhutan. After concluding their visit to Bhutan, the President and the First Lady began a visit to China. During the visit President Nasheed met with President Hu Jintao of China, and held official talks with Chinese government. President Nasheed also inaugurated the Maldives pavilion in Shanghai World Expo 2010, and visited the Chinese pavilion in the Expo. The President and the First Lady began their visit on 26 April.

Tune Hotels offered six islands in Maldives
The hospitality arm of the Tune Group, which controls budget carrier AirAsia, has been offered six islands in the luxury resort destination of Maldives where it can operate, said AirAsia CEO Datuk Seri Tony Fernandes. AirAsia plans to start flying to the Maldives some time in the next six months. Tune Hotels recently also announced plans to expand abroad, in Southeast Asia and Britain. “AirAsia was invited to come and Tune Hotels was given six islands to build,” said Fernandes in a media briefing today. A spokesman for AirAsia told The Malaysian Insider however that Tune Hotels has not decided yet if it will take up the offer. Tune Hotels, a budget hotel chain, recently signed a RM746 million deal with London based Queensway Group to build 15 hotels in Britain.

Fathimath new Saarc secy general
Fathimath Dhiyana Saeed of the Maldives has been nominated as the next Saarc secretary general. Official sources said the just concluded Saarc summit has accepted Dhiyana's name for the post. She would hold the post for three years starting from March 1, 2011. The key post rotates among the member countries and it's the Maldives' turn this year to nominate the secretary general. Dhiyana is the second Maldivian to be appointed Saarc secretary general after special envoy to the president Ibrahim Hussein Zakee, who also held prominent positions in the former regime.

Sri Lanka to hold Victory Parade on May 18 every year
Sri Lankan troops will march down Colombo's historic Galle Face promenade every year on May 18 to mark the military victory over the Tamil Tigers, whose top leadership was wiped out killed on that day in 2009. The government will hold the 'Victory Parade' on May 18 every year to mark Sri Lanka's victory over LTTE, Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa said after the ceremonial opening of a monument erected at Elephant Pass in memory of the war heroes.

Indian court refuses further grilling of ‘spy’ diplomat
An Indian court on Saturday turned down pleas by police for further interrogating an Indian diplomat suspected of spying for Pakistan. The court also remanded Madhuri Gupta to 14 days in custody. Gupta (53), second secretary at the Indian High Commission in Islamabad told Metropolitan Magistrate Chief Kaveri Baweja during in-chamber proceedings that she was innocent and was being framed. Separately, Indian Home Secretary G K Pillai told reporters the government was still assessing “full details” of the case.

                 2 May 2010 | Sunday                 

Honourary Consul of Maldives in Shanghai donates US$20,000 to Vilingili Kudakudhinge Hiya

Honourary Consul of the Maldives in Shanghai Mr Yang Guisheng has made a donation of US$20,000 to Kudakudhinge Hiya, a home for children under state care in Vilingili. The donation was received by First Lady Laila Ali. Thanking Mr Yang for the generous donation, the First Lady noted that assistances were much needed for centers such as Kudakudhige Hiya. Earlier yesterday, President Nasheed met with Honourary Consul General of the Maldives in Hong Kong Mr Bob N Harulela, and Honourary Consul of Maldives in Shanghai Mr Yang Guisheng. During the meeting, the President called for a more dynamic role of Honorary Consuls in the development of Maldives. He noted that Honorary Consuls could play an important role in developing stronger relations and increasing commercial and economic ties between the Maldives and their respective countries.  The President discussed with the Honourary Consuls developmental areas where investments were most needed. The Honorary Consuls expressed their desire to assist the Maldives in everyway possible and said they could be more engaged in finding investments to the Maldives.

President Nasheed holds talks with Chinese President Hu Jintao

Official talks between the Maldives and China were held on Sunday during the President’s visit to Shanghai. The talks were held at the International Convention Centre, Shanghai. The Maldivian delegation who took part in the official talks was led by the President, while the Chinese delegation was led by President Hu Jintao. In his statement commencing the talks President Hu Jintao said that President Nasheed’s visit was a very historic one and that it represented the importance the President attaches to the close relations between the two countries and also his strong support to Shanghai World Expo 2010.

Hamlet Fish Sheds Light On Evolution Of Marine Species
To evolve or not to evolve? That is the question scientists at the University of East Anglia (UEA) are closer to answering following a groundbreaking new study into the colourful hamlet fish. Little is known about the way species evolve in the vast marine environment. The new findings, published online by the journal Global Ecology and Biogeography, significantly improve our understanding of speciation - the evolutionary process by which new species arise. The hamlets are a group of colourful coral reef fish found throughout the Caribbean. Ten species of hamlet have been discovered and each can be easily recognized by its own distinct colour pattern. In some areas, as many as seven varieties can be found on a single reef. However, most hamlet species are only found at specific locations. The blue hamlet, for example, is found only in the Florida region.

Scientists Discover Underwater Asphalt Volcanoes
About 10 miles off the Santa Barbara coast, at the bottom of the Santa Barbara Channel, a series of impressive landmarks rise from the sea floor. They've been there for 40,000 years, but have remained hidden in the murky depths of the Pacific Ocean--until now. They're called asphalt volcanoes. Scientists funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF) and affiliated with the University of California at Santa Barbara (UCSB), the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI), University of California at Davis, University of Sydney and University of Rhode Island, have identified the series of unusual volcanoes.

Indian govt ordered phone-tapping: magazine
A national news magazine said Saturday the Indian government illegally tapped the phones of officials, politicians and their wives despite denying such claims in parliament last week. Outlook magazine said intelligence officers intercepted phone conversations mostly on verbal orders from their bosses. Telephone tapping in India requires prior written authorisation from the country's home secretary. Home Minister P. Chidambaram earlier in the week promised to probe the allegations but denied to parliament that his Congress party-led government was involved. Outlook on Saturday quoted unnamed intelligence officials as saying details of the clandestine operations were available in "top secret" logbooks. The weekly magazine had earlier reported that the phones of Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar, Marxist leader Prakash Karat and Bihar state chief minister Nitish Kumar had been tapped. "Once the logbooks are examined by a joint parliamentary (probe) committee and matched with the depositions who signed it... it will prove beyond doubt that illegal tapping took place," the magazine quoted one unnamed intelligence official as saying. "The machine(s) intercepted calls of wives of MPs discussing personal and sensitive matters," the official said, warning the recorded material exposed people to blackmail. "These are random sweeps, which record calls with impunity," the official said, and described the alleged tapping as "completely illegal and dangerous." India began importing the phone tappers in 2005 to tackle infiltration by Islamic militants into Indian Kashmir from Pakistan, according to Outlook. The opposition says the reports recalled the time when then Congress premier Indira Gandhi imposed a state of emergency in India in 1975, censoring the press and jailing hundreds of politicians.

FM Qureshi lauds ‘change in Indian thinking’
What’s in the nomenclature, it is not important; what are important are the issues. All eight segments being discussed in the composite dialogue will be part of the talks,” he said at a media briefing on the Saarc summit and a meeting between the prime ministers of Pakistan and India on its sidelines. Mr Qureshi’s claims that the change was limited only to the nomenclature contradicted reports in the Indian media that a new format for talks would be negotiated by foreign ministers and foreign secretaries in their meetings to be held in near future. The foreign minister said: “It exceeded our expectations. It is a concrete development and we’ll build on it.”

US, Canada, Australia warn citizens of 'imminent' terrorist attacks planned in Indian capital
The U.S., Australia and Canada warned Saturday that terror groups were likely planning "imminent attacks" in India's capital and foreigners there should be vigilant. The U.S. Embassy's alert, adding the word "imminent," appeared to be more urgent than an advisory last month that cited increased indications of attacks in New Delhi. The warnings noted that markets and other areas frequented by Westerners in New Delhi have been targeted in past attacks. Militants linked to Pakistan-based Islamic groups have been blamed for previous attacks in the Indian capital.

                 1 May 2010 | Saturday