Maldives headlines

“When you have a 95 percent vote of no confidence against you by the party's national council, I would say the case is over,” said MDP Spokesperson Hamid Abdul Ghafoor. “However, Dr Didi does not want to accept this.”

Yesterday’s march passed the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) base at Kalhuthukkalaa Koshi, security forces emerged with shields. Later, MDP protesters clashed with people attending an unauthorised sermon at a mosque on Majeedhee Magu.

Waheed’s strategy of using the tried and tested Gayoom formula of employing the twin pillars of religious paranoia and military force to prop up the regime is increasingly evident, writes Yameen Rasheed. "Every day that an election is delayed is yet another day that the old monster of despotism spreads its tentacles wider."

The Maldives is set to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Saudi Arabia for assistance in constructing a number of mosques in the country, Islamic Minister Sheikh Mohamed Shaheem Ali Saeed has told local media.

The Gulfstream Aerospace G200 flight (4X-CLL) private jet was reportedly the first Israeli flight to land at Gan International Airport.

Consumption of ice-cream increased 4,630 percent in 2010, chocolate increased by 1,071 percent, jelly by 1,332 percent and honey by 719 percent.

Both the government and the opposition mark 100 days since the transfer of power by fiercely criticising one another, whilst both claiming credit for the CNI's progress.

Chief Judge of the Criminal Court Abdulla Mohamed filed the suit against the judicial watchdog after it completed a report into misconduct allegations against him last year.

Parliament’s Finance Committee revealed earlier this month that expected revenue for 2012 had plunged 23 percent - a shortfall of US$168.6 million, leaving the country with a budget deficit of 27 percent.

Constitutional debate is vital to resolve the Maldives' current political turmoil, but it should not dominate the agenda of the country's politicians “to the exclusion of all else”, writes Dr Hassan Saeed for local newspaper Haveeru.

Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) MP Ilham Ahmed has told local media that there has been no “consideration” to remove a bill from parliament over renouncing the Maldives' membership in the Commonwealth.

“We see this event more as a social platform for NGO s to raise funds as well as awareness of their campaigns,” said Dhiraagu's Mohamed Mirshan Hassan at the launch of this year's race.

The PPM has meanwhile demanded a seat on the commission, along with Nasheed's Maldivian Democratic Party.

A best-selling novel featuring a captivating story about a pair of mismatched lovers deserted on an uninhabited island in the Maldives is to be made into a feature-length film.

The Tourism Ministry has advised visitors to to verify the registration of local tour operators and agents to "avoid unforseen situations".

State broadcaster Television Maldives (TVM) and private Villa Television (VTV) station have been granted broadcasting rights to air European Football Championship Euro 2012.

President Dr Mohamed Waheed Hassan has returned to the Maldives after concluding a five day official visit to India on the invitation of Indian Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh.

Ousted President Mohamed Nasheed has vowed to step up demonstrations for early elections after the government agreed to Commonwealth demand to revise a commission set up to investigate the controversial transfer of power on February 7.

The ousted Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) has claimed frequent power interruptions resulted from foreign companies involved in power upgrade withdrawing from the Maldives after the controversial transfer of power on February 7. STELCO denied the allegations

“The internal market is there for agriculture and fisheries. The local demand for fish is huge, including resorts," said Fisheries Minister Ahmed Shafeeu.