Thursday | August 28, 2008 Headline News   Correction On 2005 Resort Awards Mohamed Latheef who secured resort bid not Gogo Latheef Read More >>   News In Brief 28 August 2008 VSO To End Maldives Programmes | HDC Opens Bidding To Private Sector | Ibra Supports Clause Removal On Election Delay Read More >>   Government Launches Health Insurance Scheme Nine years after it was first promised, Maldives gets social health insurance Read More >> Previous News   Elections Commission Nominees Barred Over Fake Party Memberships Correction On 2005 Resort Awards News In Brief 28 August 2008 Government Launches Health Insurance Scheme World Bank And ADB To Provide Budget Assistance Maldives’ Biggest Drugs Haul Was Destroyed, Say Police Supreme Council Head Attacks Religious NGO In Leaked Letter “Poverty Alleviation Party” Forges Memberships Parliament Debates Transport Six Weeks Before Election Deadline Majlis Committee Issues Damning Report On 2005 Resort Bids News In Brief 26 August 2008 Clarification On Republican Nomination Malé Jail “Not As Bad As Maafushi” – HRCM Parties With MPs To Create Elections Commission “Package” Ibra Turns Down Gasim Running Mate Offer Republicans, Adhaalath, MNC To Back Gasim News In Brief 25 August 2008 Prisoner Says Guards Broke His Collarbone MPs Close The Door On Elections Delay Judicial Services Commission Set To Be All-Male Republicans Nominate To Elections Commission After Deadline News In Brief 24 August 2008 Protests “Barriers To Democracy”: DRP Eight People To Share Each Flat In Flagship Housing Project Yacht Tours Faces Legal Action Over Vatavarreha MDP Says Drugs Imported With Government’s Knowledge Correction On Liberal Party Statement News In Brief 23 August 2008 31 Resorts Plan Cancelled: Finance Ministry Former Justice Minister Attacks Government On Drugs, Corruption, Religion News In Brief 21 August 2008 Criminal Courts Back In Action - With Independence Dr Afrashim Rejects “Infidel” Accusations From NGO IDP Joins Calls For Election Delay News In Brief 20 August 2008 Anni Can Stand For Presidency: Information Minister Former MDP President Joins Republicans Top Resort Accused Of Unfair Dismissal Maumoon 2008 Campaign Condemns Minivan News Over Funds Article Majlis Speaker Gains New Powers To Speed Up Election Bills Are The Republicans A Political Party? Qur’an Teacher Accused Of Child Abuse President To Take Part In Televised Debate Liberal Party Calls For Election Delay Until December Nominations Close For Elections Commission Correction On Ziya Abbas News In Brief 18 August 2008 Ibra To “Throw Away The Curriculum” Another Drug Trafficking Suspect Freed To Leave Maldives New Law To Define “Serious Cases” For Legal Aid Dr Waheed Joins Presidential Race News In Brief 17 August 2008 Opposition Groups To Challenge Gayoom Re-Election Bid In Courts President Removes Hundreds From Remit Of Civil Service Commission DRP Campaign Admits Using State Funds Muiz Stands As Sole Nominee For Prosecutor General Gasim Announces Candidacy, Claiming Five Parties’ Support News In Brief 16 August 2008 Parliament Calls For Nominations To Elections Commission MDP Launches Campaign News In Brief 14 August 2008 Stab Suspect Banned From Leaving Country President Appoints New Cabinet Ministers Travel Company To Sue Government For US$55m Over Villingilli News In Brief 13 August 2008 Stab Victim In "Critical" Condition Following Attack MDP Female Running Mate Deemed "Un-Islamic" News In Brief 12 August 2008 MDP Pledges To House Tsunami Victims Within A Year No Minimum Required For Parties After Registration DRP Take Credit For Constitution Republican Success As Shihab Voted Parliamentary Speaker Seven MPs Resign From Civil Service After Court Reinstatement Football Manager Faces Dismissal For Political Activities DRP Accuse Republican Party Of Bribing Parliamentarians Presidential Candidate Debate Shelved Due To Gayoom No-Show News In Brief 10 August 2008 Man Slashed Five Times At Artificial Beach Sultan Bomb Suspect Among 69 Pardoned By President Parliament Speaker Vote Postponed Maldives Construction Industry Warns Of Bankruptcy News In Brief 9 August 2008 American NGO Condemns Maldives Constitution Over Religion Clause Drug Smuggling Suspects Freed In “Chaotic” Legal Situation Gayoom Launches Campaign Eleven Cabinet Resignations In A Month As Four More Quit Maldives’ New Constitution Ratified Gasim May Run For Presidency Prisoners Including Ziya Abbas Were Pardoned On Eve Of New Constitution News In Brief 7 August 2008 New Constitution: What The People Say Republican Party Becomes Largest Opposition Group In Parliament Four Cabinet Ministers To Quit On Wednesday News In Brief 6 August 2008 Six Presidential Appointees Switched On Eve Of Ratification Not A Significant Cabinet Reshuffle: Gayoom Court Cases On Hold For Two Weeks In “Legal Void” MDP Places Transport At Heart Of Campaign News In Brief 5 August 2008 DRP To Announce Running Mate Tuesday Night Police Act Comes Into Force To “Protect The Police” Risk Of Airport Blackout As Million-Dollar Generators Fail Thasmeen Is Gayoom’s Running Mate Maldives To Recruit Skilled Bangladeshis For Tourism News In Brief 4 August 2008 Elections Commission Under Fire Over Voter List Jails, Sewerage Systems, Water Treatment Hit By Budget Cuts Police Officer Sentenced To Life In Heroin Smuggling Case DRP Condemns Opposition Over “White Foreigners And Jews” In Maldives News In Brief 3 August 2008 Three Of Ten Registered Parties Support Gayoom Maldives Judiciary Second Worst In Region Last Year: Report “Liars” Respond To Gayoom News In Brief 2 August 2008 MDP, Conservatives Call For Protection For Gayoom Post-Presidency Constitution Sent Back To President With Ministries Clause Unchanged News In Brief 31 July 2008 Airport Security Dogs Not Trained For Drug-Sniffing Possible U-Turn On 31 New Resort Leases Education Ministry Begs Teachers Not To Strike Again MTDC Rapped For Excessive Dividend After Paying Millions To Government News In Brief 30 July 2008 Trade Minister’s Resignation Accepted Four Sentenced To Death Over 2006 Murder Companies Invest To Privatise Maldives Housing Market News In Brief 29 July 2008 Gayoom To Ratify Constitution On 7 August President Gayoom Unveils List Of Political “Liars” Voice Of India Star Drowns In Maldives Swimming Pool Murushid Gets 13 Years, Hafiz Acquitted Over Gayoom Stab Attempt News In Brief 28 July 2008 Ferry Company Operates Separate Queue For Bangladeshis Foreign Ministry Declares EU Statement “Ill-Informed And Ill-Judged” Nashid Says Donations In Constituency “Not Bribes” News In Brief 27 July 2008 MATI Warns Of Tourism “Decline” Republicans To Announce Candidate In Two Weeks News In Brief 26 July 2008 “Ratification Is Not A Ceremony”: Gayoom EU Expresses “Great Concern” Over Reform Delays Ibra In Blog Battle With Nasheed Over Protest News In Brief 24 July 2008 Alliance Demands Ratification By End July MDP, DRP Seek Indian Support Clarification On Murushid Case News In Brief 23 July 2008 Defence Lawyers Cry Foul As Judge Rules Murushid “Not Mad” President To Ratify Constitution On July 30: Nasheed Four Accused Of Terrorism Declared “Innocent” After Forced Confessions Police Bill Passed With Few Alterations News In Brief 22 July 2008 Police Bill To Put Force Under Direct Presidential Control Alliance Threatens Further Direct Action News In Brief 21 July 2008 Over 13 Arrested As Alliance Protests At Presidential Palace Government To Cut Expenditure By 20 Per Cent News In Brief 20 July 2008 High Court Rules DRP Parliamentarians Can Stay In Civil Service President To Return Constitution To Special Majlis Suspicions Over Fairness Cloud Football Association’s First Election Yousef Naeem’s Family Rejects Human Rights Commission Report Two Pakistanis, Two Maldivians Arrested In New Heroin Trafficking Case News In Brief 19 July 2008 Million Dollar Drug Smuggling Suspect Released To Flee Country Rufiyaa Value Kept Down By Counterfeit Money: Anni Jaleel Fights Back Over Mega Projects News In Brief 17 July 2008 Trade Minister Is Latest Cabinet Resignation HRCM Deems Yousef Naeem Case “Invalid” Yacht Tours Staff Complain Of Non-Payment On Vatavarreha MTDC Shareholders Receive Windfall Dividend News In Brief 16 July 2008 Government To Propose Maximum Working Hours For Resort Employees Yacht Tours Ordered To Vacate Resort For Non-Construction Jihad Is Finance Minister, Mausoom Gets Tourism News In Brief 15 July 2008 Alliance Makes Comeback – But Future Still Uncertain “Chika” Gets Five Years For Sword Possession Investigations Launched Into Police Abuse Pictures News In Brief 14 July 2008 Opposition Lose Patience As UK Tells Government “Hurry Up” Again New Assessment Finds Little Faith In Electoral Process Maldives Tourism Workers Form “Union” Gasim Quits DRP News In Brief 13 July 2008 Tourism Minister Goes Public On Resignation Islanders Protest SAFF Trophy Tour 15 Sacked From Villa Hours Before Employment Act Came Into Effect News In Brief 12 July 2008 DRP Congress Faces Allegations Of Violating Civil Service Act News In Brief 10 July 2008 Gayoom Disowns “Maumoon 2008” Logo Finance Minister Resigns Abuse Pictures Emerge From Police Officer's Phone President Rejects Auditor General’s Report News In Brief 9 July 2008 Government In US $126m Debt To Central Bank It’s Official: Rf 4 Billion Budget Deficit Twelve Kulhudhuffushi Islanders Still In Custody As Cases Sent For Prosecution Employment Act To Become Law Without Covering Resort Staff News In Brief 8 July 2008 NGOs Urge Public: “Go Vote” Drug Rehab Centre Slated For “Inadequate” Facilities Opposition Condemns Football Trophy Tour President Sets Nine Ways To Cut Costs Nasheed Prepares Country For Snap Election “Hollow Parties”: The Many Faces Of Maldivian Politics News In Brief 7 July 2008 News In Brief 6 July 2008 Government Promises State Health Insurance In August Correction, Clarification On Ishar Suspects Presidential Spokesman Backtracks On Comments Made To Minivan News DRP Congress Next Week Will Not Select Running Mate News In Brief 5 July 2008 Tourism Minister Submits Resignation News In Brief 3 July 2008 5,400 Resort Staff Petition Exclusion From Employment Act Murder Victim's Family Condemn Transfer Of Suspects To House Arrest Constitution Returned By President As Country Awaits Ratification News In Brief 2 July 2008 Teachers Fear Repercussions After Strike New Television Channel Launched Nasheed Condemns Book Ban 1500 Teachers On Strike Across Country News In Brief 1 July 2008 Striking Teachers Give Government A Month Government Creates New Pay Advisory Board Correction On MDP MPs Mohamed Shihab Resignation Takes MDP MPs Down To Six Apparent Error Leaves Clause “Violating Separation Of Powers” In Constitution Government Expenditure “Extraordinary”: IMF Ishar Murder Suspects Transferred To House Arrest News In Brief 30 June 2008 New Agreement Promises Equal State Media Coverage From July 3 News In Brief 29 June 2008 There Is No Budget Deficit: Gasim Teachers Offered “Positive Thinking” Instead Of Pay Rise News In Brief 28 June 2008 Ban On Business Interests Heralds Cabinet Resignations Teachers To Strike On July 1 August Election Still On The Cards: Information Minister News In Brief 26 June 2008 Your New Rights And Freedoms New Constitution Complete “A System Turned Upside Down”: Key Changes In The New Constitution News In Brief 25 June 2008 International Election Observers Pledged: British High Commission Two Men Arrested For Alleged Beating Of Bangladeshi Workers New Constitution Next Week: President Gayoom News In Brief 24 June 2008 New 12 Per Cent Fuel Price Hike From STO Trade Bodies Not Consulted Over New Resort Leases: Tourism Minister Clarification On Trade Minister 31 More Resorts To Help Fill Revenue Gap Majlis Committee To Probe Drugs Trade News In Brief 23 June 2008 First National Housing Policy Acknowledges “Slum Conditions” Opposition Blast Government On Economy News In Brief 22 June 2008 Woman Locked Up By Family For 12 Years State Lawyers Boycott Work Over Pay, Security Convicts On The Loose Violate Human Rights: HRCM 22 Cell Presidents Resign MDP “A Political Drama”: Kulhudhuffushi At Boiling Point News In Brief 19 June 2008 Zaki Takes On Party Presidency In Munnavar's Absence Draft Committee Rejects Election Deadline Extension Supreme Council Bans Hassan Saeed’s Book Munavvar's Position Questioned Following Absence From MDP Defamation Bill Could Undermine Press Freedom, Critics Warn “Chika” Admits “Display” Sword Possession Nasir Critically Ill In Singapore: Source Kulhudhuffushi: Government Blames Opposition; 31 Still In Custody Newspaper Registration Bill Falls At Last Hurdle Justice Minister Quizzed On Two-Year Case Delays News In Brief 17 June 2008 News In Brief 16 June 2008 Media Association, MPs Call For Independent Broadcast Commission Hameed Sentenced For Life, Assets Confiscated Over 2.18 Kilo Drugs Haul MMA Governor Warns Of Dollar Peg “Crisis” Maldives Are SAFF Champions News In Brief 15 June 2008 News In Brief 14 June 2008 31 Arrested Over Attack On Minister News In Brief 12 June 2008 “Coincidences” Led To Perception Of Government Deal With Gangs: Saleem Friends Of Maldives Protest As Gayoom Speaks In London EU Grants US $5 Million For Drugs Strategy News In Brief 11 June 2008 Government Involved In Drugs Trade: MPs “Conflicts Of Interest” Helped Cause Ten-Year Addu Resort Delay: Majlis Committee US$12.5 Million Loan To Maldives For Environment Strategy I Could Be In Power Until 2018 – Gayoom EU Extends Maldives Trade Concessions To 2014 Human Rights Commission Calls For Prosecution In Street Violence Cases Injured Detainee Was Taken To Casualty Four Days After Arrest News In Brief 10 June 2008 News In Brief 9 June 2008 Guardian Of Gayoom’s Attacker Arrested Lack Of Police Cooperation Delays Dhoonidhoo Report: HRCM Attorney General Returns Violence Cases To Police Following Gang Press Conference Gangs Declare “Peace” Police Deny Beating Detainee News In Brief 8 June 2008 News In Brief 7 June 2008 Detainee Beaten Unconscious By Police, Say Family More New Jail Plans As Home Ministry Says 350 Convicts At Large Teachers Threaten Strike Over Pay “Chika” Blames Friends For Drug Haul At Start Of Trial News In Brief 5 June 2008 Dive Accident Victims Face Government Silence News In Brief 4 June 2008 ACB Warns Of Potential Corruption “Running Into Millions” At STO Clarification On Bluepeace Staff Strike At Diva Island Resort Correction On Dive Accident Maldives Takes On Pakistan In SAFF Kick-Off Presidential Elections Act Stays Amid Constitutional “Void” Fuvahmulah Loses 50 Feet Of Coastline Due To Human Activity News In Brief 3 June 2008 Correction On Civil Service Lawsuits News In Brief 2 June 2008 Exclusion Of Resort Staff From Employment Bill Was Mistake: Nasheed Atoll Chiefs’ Salaries Doubled By President MPs Award Themselves 500 Per Cent Pay Rise