Monday 31  December 2007

Local News

Maroshi 'SMALL' chief charged with paedophilia
Male' – According to local reports, the 'SMALL' Katheeb (Deputy Chief) of Maroshi island in Shaviyani Atoll, in the North of Maldives, has been charged with pardophilia. The 36 year old man, Igbal Mohamed Hussain of Bageechaage, Maroshi, is accused of having sex with a group of under 10 year olds. It is alleged that this bachelor has been known to the authorities for his alleged sexual behaviour but over the years, he built a powerful connection with a brother of the Maldives Dictator, making him immune from prosecution in the past. "We have complained many times but he remains above the law", said a resident of Maroshi, who wants to remain anonymous. This is a common phenomenon in the islands of the Maldives, mainly because the Dictator of the Maldives, Gayyoom, himself is renowned to be a paedophile, hence appeases his counterparts. "He will not be convicted, mark my word on this", said the source from the island. The case continues.

Minivan News
Family Allege Child Abuse Cover-Up
A family allege staff at their Island Office tried to bypass the police after they reported a ten-year-old girl had been sexually assaulted. Instead of contacting police, they say Island Office staff banished the suspect to another island, where he would have been free to commit further offences. The family, from Raa Atoll Inguraidhoo, told Minivan News the suspect, an expatriate Sri Lankan construction worker, had previously "groomed" the ten-year old girl by offering sweets. He arrived at their home on Friday evening when no adult was present. more

BBC
Bhutto's son named as successor
Benazir Bhutto's 19-year-old son Bilawal has been chosen to take over her Pakistan People's Party, after her assassination on Thursday. He will become leader in a ceremonial capacity while he finishes his studies at Oxford University. Bilawal told journalists at the Bhutto family home: "My mother always said democracy is the best revenge". Ms Bhutto's widower, Asif Ali Zardari, who will run the party day-to-day, said it would contest January elections. And he appealed to the former prime minister Nawaz Sharif - a long-time Bhutto rival - to drop his threat to boycott the polls. more

 

Sunday 30  December 2007

MDP Press
European Parliament Delegation looks forward to free and fair elections in 2008
The European Parliament issued a press statement on 20 December following a visit to the Maldives of a six-member delegation of the EU the previous week. The Press statement is reproduced below: The European Parliament visited the Maldives today to discuss the Maldives’ progress on finalizing its Reform Road Map in preparation for the country’s first multi-party, free and fair elections scheduled for 2008. The Parliamentarians welcomed the progress that has clearly been made but underlined the need for continued commitment and compromise if the transitional arrangements are to be agreed and supporting institutions such as the independent Election Commission are to be set up. more


MDP Press
Information Minister accused of brutality and obstruction of Justice
Maldives Minister of Legal Reform, Information and Arts Mr. Mohamed Nasheed is being accused by opponents of brutality and obstructing Justice by withholding evidence of abuse of power and misappropriation of state resources. Minister Mr. Mohamed Nasheed claims to have taken photographs of sensitive documents incriminating former Foreign Minister Dr Shaheed. more 

 

MDP Press
Interim government legally incontrovertible, opposition asserts
In briefs forwarded to diplomats and friendly countries this week, the Maldivian Democratic Party has re-asserted that the establishment of an interim government, upon the proclamation of the new Constitution, is legally incontrovertible. more

Saturday 29 December 2007

Press Release

The Maldivian Democratic Party condemns, in the strongest terms, the brutal murder of Muhtharama Benazir Bhutto

The Maldivian Democratic Party expresses grave concern and disappointment upon learning that Muhtharama Benazir Bhutto and a number of people were killed in a cowardly suicide attack on 27 December 2007 in Rawalpindi, Pakistan. The Maldivian Democratic Party condemns, in the strongest terms, the brutal murder of Muhtharama Benazir Bhutto. Her assassination is a serious set back to the global war against terror. Muhtharama Benazir Bhutto's killing is also a blow against supporters of democracy and reconciliation in the region and their efforts against illiberal governments. more

Local News
National Unity Alliance gathering in Male'
Male' – The union made up of all the opposition parties organised a gathering in Male' on Friday afternoon, from 4:00 – 6:00pm, in the Artificial Beach area of the capital. Leaders of the main parties spoke to the crowd, which was estimated to be over 7000. Umar Naseer of Islamic Democratic Party, Hussai Rasheed Ahmed of Adhaalath Party, Moahmed Nasheed – Anni of Maldivian Democratic Party, Mohamed Nasheed – Kaanal of Social Liberal Party and Special Majlis Member Ali Faiz (MDP) as well and the distinguished Musthafa Hussain of Bodufenvalhuge addressed the crowd, assuring them that Dictator Gayyoom's days in office are numbered. The general message to the public given today was that November 10th, 2008 would be the last day Dictator Gayyoom will sleep in the so called presidential palace 'Theemuge'. view photos

Local News
Addu youth organise meeting in protest of building a jail in Gan
Male' – A group of Addu youth organised a meeting in the Youth Centre of Male' on Friday night to express their concern over the recent announcement by the Home Minister AK (47), that he was planning to build a jail in the island of Gan, home to the second international airport in the country. Amongst the speakers in the meeting were, MP for GA Atoll, Adnan Haleem, former Tourism Minister Musthafa Luthfy, Ibrahim Didi, Dhaalu Riyaz (MP), Hassan Mahir and Abbas Adhil Riza from Henveryru. Attended by a good number of Addu residents, the meeting was also attended by Tourism Minister Dr. Shaugee. According to organisers, Home Minister AK (47) was invited but presumably decided to spend the night at home with his wife than attend this important meeting. view photos

BBC News
Bhutto killing blamed on al-Qaeda
Pakistan says it has intelligence that al-Qaeda assassinated opposition politician Benazir Bhutto at an election rally on Thursday. Citing what it said was an intercepted phone call, the interior ministry said the killing had been ordered by an "al-Qaeda leader", Baitullah Mehsud. The BBC's security correspondent, Frank Gardner, says it is too early to establish the truth of what happened. more

ހިރިގާ ކޮލަމް - ހަވީރު

ޒިންމާވާ ފަރާތަކީ ކޮބައިތޯއެވެ؟

Friday 28 December 2007

The Guardian
A tragedy born of military despotism and anarchy
The assassination of Benazir Bhutto heaps despair upon Pakistan. Now her party must be democratically rebuilt. Even those of us sharply critical of Benazir Bhutto's behaviour and policies - both while she was in office and more recently - are stunned and angered by her death. Indignation and fear stalk the country once again. more

Travel News
Honeymoon turns into nightmare
A DEVIZES couple say their wedding was nearly wrecked when their dream honeymoon turned into a nightmare. Emma Kerr, 32, and Simon Emmott, 30, from Rider Close, Devizes, were looking forward to jetting off to the Maldives after their wedding at Beechfield House, Melksham, this Saturday, December 29. But they learned that the Herathera Island Resort in the Indian Ocean paradise, due to open at the beginning of November, was still going to be a building site. They booked the two-week all-inclusive break, costing £3,668, in July. The number of facilities available at the resort particularly appealed to them, including as it did a spa and water sports. more

ވަގުތީ ސަރުކާރުގެ ޒިންމާއަކީ ކޮބާ؟

ދެމިއޮންނާނީ ކިހާދުވަހަކު؟

ވިޔަފާރި ޚަބަރު

ވިޔަފާރިވެރިންގެ ޖަމްއިއްޔާ ޑިމުސް ސާލިހު މިހާރު ހިންގަނީ ގަވައިދާ ޚިލާފަށް

Thursday 27 December 2007

BBC Breaking News
Benazir Bhutto 'killed in blast'
Pakistani former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto has been killed in a presumed suicide attack, a spokesman for the Pakistan People's Party (PPP) says. Other reports said Ms Bhutto had only been injured and taken to hospital. more

Local News
12 billion rufiyaa deficit budget passed by parliament
Male' - The national budget for next year has been passed with an added 100 million rufiyaa, for subsidising the price of oil for fisherman, an amendment proposed by MP for Addu, Mohamed Aslam. The 12 billion budget is lower than last years but many opposition MPs argued that the government fails to keep the spending as in the budget. Out of the 43 present today, 30 voted in favour of the budget, including the dictator's appointed MPs. All MDP MPs present except Senco Shareef and People's Association MPs, voted against. "It's not a victory for us but we were able to bring changes to the budget," one MP said. "Gayyoom still has a control over the parliament, via his proxies, the appointed MPs and ministers and other top officials. So, this parliament is not a real representative body of the people of Maldives," he added further. There were rumours that Finance Minister was to quit his job, had the budget fail to get support of the parliament.  Despite the heated debates and walkouts during budget discussions, when it came down to the crunch, it appears that the dictator has once again got his way.

News Review

Musthafa Hussain joins the democracy movement

On 19th December, for the first time since he walked out of the Cabinet of President Gayoom in 1987, Musthafa spoke about his political views. Displaying uncommon finesse and political correctness, Hon. Musthafa recounted how the political situation in authoritarian Maldives had evolved over the past 40 years. With a few fine elegant phrases, the scion of one of the courageous and popular dynasties in the Maldives showed how things had changed. Many of us are still grieving the demise of the grand matriarch of democracy in the Maldives, Madame Thuhthonsitti just last month, when her youngest brother, Hon. Musthafa stepped back into the limelight. more

Minivan News
Homeless Three Years On: Victims Remember The Tsunami
Leeza Khalid, 23, cradles her one year old daughter Mishka, as she remembers the morning her life changed forever. She was cooking at home on 26 December 2004 when she heard a "huge noise" and saw a "giant wave from the window." Terrified, she screamed to her seven younger brothers and sisters to wake up. "Water was already up to my legs," she recalls. As they fled, a second wave hit, flattening their house. more

Minivan News

"Joyously Co-operative" MNC Is Registered
The Maldives National Council (MNC), achieved full registration and became the Maldives’ sixth political party today. The Election Commission confirmed the MNC, whose leader is also a member of Peoples' Association (PA), the group headed by President Gayoom's brother Abdullah Yameen, had submitted signatures exceeding the minimum 3,000 required for registration and that these had been accepted. more

Wednesday 26 December 2007

Breaking News Update

Late Saleem's funeral to take place in Colombo tonight

Male' - Funeral prayers to be held in Bandaara Miskiy in Male' and in the main mosque in his native island of Thinadhoo.

Colombo - The funeral of late Mohamed Saleem Ali will take place around 1:00 am tonight at Jawatta Mosque. A special funeral prayer will also be held in Male' tomorrow after noon prayer at a mosque to be announced later.

Tuesday 25 December 2007

Breaking News

MDP Saleem passes away

Colombo - MDP regional President for South Huvadhoo Atoll, Saleem Ali passed away very suddenly this morning after suffering a heart attack. He has been in Lanka for the past couple of months settling his family there. Mr. Saleem is one of the most prominent activists of MDP and has been under pressure from the Dictator as he is constantly called to appear in court and was jailed a few times in the last couple of year. Mr. Saleem is also a close relative of DO Editor in Chief, Sappe'. Saleem will be greatly missed. On behalf of DO readers and members of MDP, we send our deepest condolences to Saleem's family and pray to Almighty Allah to grant him eternal bliss.

ނޫސް ބަޔާން
މުޙައްމަދު ސަލީމް އަލީ ދެމިއޮތުމުގެ އާލަމަށް ދަތުރުކުރައްވައިފި

Minivan News
"Situation Committee" Makes Decisions On Arrest
The Maldivian government has confirmed that a "situation committee" of government ministers, including members of the cabinet, has the authority to request arrests. And in another admission of the government's involvement in the judicial process, a former cabinet member has said that during his time in office "none of the leading opposition figures were to be arrested without the prior approval of the defence minister, the home minister, the attorney general and the foreign minister." more

OSA Blog
Band of the Hand -- It's Hell Time Man!
Anyone seen the movie, Band of the Hand? It is about a group of young people trying to escape a life of crime and drugs and having to fight a corrupt establishment that encourages both crime and drugs. The only way the group of young people can survive is by being together - like the fingers of the hand. more

BBC News
Nepalese monarchy to be abolished
Nepal's government has agreed to abolish the monarchy as part of a deal to persuade Maoist former rebels to rejoin the interim administration. Under the deal, Nepal will be declared a republic after a general election has been held next year and a new constituent assembly established. The Maoists pulled out of the government in September, demanding an immediate end to the monarchy. The latest deal was signed by Nepal's main parties, including the Maoists. But no date has been set for the ex-rebels to rejoin the government. more

BBC News
Block of flats collapses in Egypt
At least five people have died when a 12-storey block of flats collapsed in Egypt's second city, Alexandria. Rescue workers searched through the rubble for survivors of the collapse in the eastern suburb of Loran. Collapses happen frequently in Egypt's overcrowded urban centres, where many buildings are constructed with poor materials and regulations are flouted. more

ބޮޑު ރިޕޯޓު
ކުއްޓި ނަޝީދާއި ސޮލާހުގެ ރިޕޯޓްގެ މަހާސިންތާ : އަމާޒަކީ ޔާރި ފުލު ޔާރިއެއް ނޫން، ބޮޑު ޔާރި

ޖަޒީރާ ޑެއިލީ
ސަރުކާރުގެ މޫނުމަތި ރަނގަޅުކުރަން ގެންގުޅުނު ޕީއާރު ފާމް ގެ މައްސަލަ މަޖިލީހަށް ހުށަހަޅައިފި ނަމަ ރައީސް މައުމޫނު އިތުރަށް ބޭޒާރުވެ ބޮޑު ހަގީގަތެއް ރައްޔިތުންނަށް އެނގިގެން ދާނެ: ޑރ.ޝަހީދު

Monday 24 December 2007

Minivan News Special
EU Source Condemns Gayoom's "Autocracy"
A source within the European Union delegation to South Asia has labelled President Gayoom's thirty year rule "effectively an autocracy," and called for the Maldives to move away from a Saudi-style "hereditary monarchy." "We know what is going on in the Maldives," the source, a member of the delegation here to gauge the situation before next year's presidential elections, told Minivan News on the condition of anonymity. But he also dismissed an "immature" opposition, and said an independent election commission is more important than the interim government sought by the alliance of opposition parties. more

US Marine Stories
Maldivians share rich culture with 11th MEU (SOC) Marines and sailors
REGIONAL HEADQUARTERS KADHOO, LAAMU ATOLL, Maldives(Dec. 21, 2007) -- When hospitalman 3rd Class Christopher Blinson heard he was going to the Maldives, he glanced at the other sailors with a puzzled look. "What is the Maldives?" he thought. Little did he know, a month later he would be in the unfamiliar country dancing wildly to the beat of beru drums. Blinson, a hospital corpsman with Combat Logistics Battalion 11, 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable), and nearly 30 Marines and sailors from the MEU have been on the Laamu Atoll of the tropical nation since Dec. 14 conducting bi-lateral training with the 20th Special Task Force, Maldives National Defence Force. more

US Marine Corps News
11th MEU Marines, sailors train with Maldivian forces
LAAMU ATOLL, Maldives (Dec. 21, 2007) -- Marines and sailors with the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable) concluded bi-lateral training with members of the Maldivian National Defense Force on the Laamu Atoll with a graduation ceremony here today. Combat Logistics Battalion 11, 11th MEU, has setup is a non-commissioned officer leadership course and martial arts classes for the soldiers of the 20th Special Task Force, MNDF from Dec. 14-20. more


US Marine Corps News
11th MEU medical personnel treat patients, train with doctors in Maldives
FOAMMULAH ATOLL, Maldives (Dec. 21, 2007) -- Medical personnel from the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable), concluded medical and dental treatment for hundreds of residents of the Foammulah Atoll, Maldives here today. Doctors and corpsmen from Combat Logistics Battalion 11, 11th MEU (SOC), provided dental and eye surgery, medical awareness and advanced life support classes to the Maldivians from Dec. 12-20. more

Telegraph UK
Melting moments: Top 10 endangered sites
Antarctica: the Muller ice shelf and the Larsen ice shelf are shrinking dramatically. Mt Kilimanjaro, Tanzania: global warming is blamed for melting of the year-round snows at the summit of Africa's highest mountain. They could be gone in 15 years. The Arctic ice cap: the melting of icebergs and ice caps in the Arctic is blamed on global warming and threatens the habitats of species such as polar bears. The Maldives: rising sea levels (3½in per year) could make these 1,200 islands in the Indian Ocean uninhabitable within 100 years. more

Sunday 23 December 2007

Open Society Blog

Anniversary of Peshawari Invasion: Velaanaage as the Tallest Building
23 December is the anniversary of the invasion of the Maldives by Peshawari Coolies led by Mr Mohamed Didi of Velaanaage. The attempt was defeated and it remains a mystery what happened to the mercenaries. The year was 1910. Although the attempt failed, the Velaanage dynasty went on to become one of the most influential and controversial in the history of the country. The dynasty's grand patriach is Malinge Hassan Didi who is reputed, as are all of his bloodline, for their courage, made a name for himself during the troubled 1880s in the wake of the atrophy of the longest serving monarch (43 years!). Except for those who have only themselves to blame, those of the Velaanage dynasty are reputed for their indomitable spirit, honesty, probity, and candidness and for their selfless devotion to public service which is probably a hallmark of all dynasties accustomed to positions of leadership. more

News Review

Local staff getting the sack in Herethere
Two senior local staff were sacked from Herethere resort, which is still officially under construction. According to reports, Beverage Manager Iyaz and Food Beverage Assistant Mohamed Riyaz, were sacked without a warning, in an attempt to appoint foreigners to senior jobs at the resort, operated by Gayyoom's agents, Champaa Afeef and Dimms Soleh. According to locals, there are already more foreigners employed in the resort and locals are not being given senior jobs either. "We thought this was a place to provide our people jobs and opportunities, but it doesn't seem like that. We already feel like second class citizens", said Abdulla from Feydhoo.

ReliefWeb
When saving lives is not enough
"I was only thinking of how to get to the hills that time," remembered Leni, a young mother of a three year old daughter. "I kept remembering the Aceh tsunami while we were running away. The Aceh tsunami taught us a lot. It raised our awareness on earthquakes and tsunamis." On the night of 13 September, when an earthquake off the coast of Sumatra triggered tsunami warnings around the Indian Ocean, people knew what to do. more

NewsVoM.com
Aid Agencies Say Indian Ocean Tsunami Recovery on Track
Aid agencies report significant progress has been made in helping survivors of the devastating Indian Ocean tsunami rebuild their lives and livelihoods three years after the disaster struck. While progress has been made across the region, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies says it will take another few years before the job is done. Lisa Schlein reports for VOA from Red Cross headquarters in Geneva. more

ޖަޒީރާ ޑެއިލީ
ސޮލާހުގެ ޕޯސްޓްމޯޓަމް ރިޕޯޓާ ބެހޭ ގޮތުން ސަރުކާރާ ޑރ.ޝަހީދުއާ ދެމެދު ހިނގާ ބަހުގެ ހަނގުރާމަ: ފޯނު މެދުވެރިކޮށް ދެއްކެވި ވާހަކަތައް އާއްމުކޮށްފި ނަމަ ނަޝީދު އެވިދާޅުވާ ވާހަކަތަކަކީ ދޮގުކަން ފަޅާއަރާނެ : ޑރ. ޝަހީދު
 

Saturday 22 December 2007

News Review

Strong Words from the EU: Gayoom must honour promises or face serious consequences

Gayoom must provide an independent judiciary now, and root out corruption, nepotism and cronyism, says MEP.

In the most strident warning to date delivered to President Gayoom, the Hon. Robert Evans MEP and Chairman of the Delegation of the European Parliament on South Asia last night said that President Gayoom must deliver the promises made to the EU or face the consequences. more

Minivan News
Nasheed Claims To Have "Documents Incriminating Dr Shaheed"
The Information Minister Mohamed Nasheed claims to have taken photographs of "sensitive documents incriminating Dr Shaheed," as the war of words between the minister and his former cabinet colleagues escalates. Writing on his blog Nasheed says "incriminating materials in unfriendly hands" led Dr Shaheed to resign as Foreign Minister in August. more

Friday 21 December 2007

Maldives Culture Report
Serious questions over sea boundaries between Maldives and British Indian Ocean Territory
Sea boundary agreements with the British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT) south of Maldives appear to have been mishandled by Gayyoom's regime. Under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea only islands sustaining human habitation are entitled to maritime zones. Rocks, reefs and uninhabited islands are excluded. more

Thursday 20 December 2007

Local News

Hon. Robert Evans, MEP, gives speech in Maldives - 'Democracy  in the 21st Century'
Male' - At a meeting organised by Open Society at Dharubaaruge last night, Hon. Robert Evans, a member of European Parliament, gave a speech titled 'Democracy in the 21st Century'. In the speech, Mr. Evans said he will ensure that Gayyoom keeps his promise to hold free and fair multiparty elections in 2008. He said that he had come to the Maldives to remind Gayyoom of his promises and that EU will continue to help the people of Maldives and made it very clear that if any country needs aid from EU, they should keep their word. Once a government makes a promise, they must be held accountable to their words. Mr. Evans also said that an independent judiciary and an independent election commissioner were important institutions that needs to be there to allow free and fair elections. The meeting attended well by public was also addressed by other political figures, such as Hon. Ibrahim Ismail, Mr. Mohamed Mustafa Hussain and Jaadullaa Jameel, amongst others. view photos

Relief Web
Maldives: Annual Appeal for 3.33 million dollars
This appeal seeks CHF 3,725,814 (USD 3.33 million or EUR 2.26 million) to fund the planned programmes to be implemented in 2008-2009. The overall budget is CHF 4,763,184 (USD 4.26 million or EUR 2.89 million). Click here for budget summary. This appeal document sets out briefly the main outcomes the programmes seek to achieve over the next two years. More detailed information is provided in the 2008-2009 Programme Support Plan and Summary Matrix. In a world of global challenges, continued poverty, inequity, and increasing vulnerability to disasters and disease, the International Federation with its global network, works to accomplish its Global Agenda, partnering with local community and civil society to prevent and alleviate human suffering from disasters, diseases and public health emergencies. more

Wednesday 19 December 2007

Press Release

UNICEF releases Tsunami 2007 report
New York/Geneva, 18 December 2007 - Three years after the Indian Ocean Tsunami claimed the lives of more than 200,000 people and devastated towns and communities, UNICEF has released its 2007 Tsunami report (download) highlighting progress made for children since the 2004 catastrophe. more

News Alert for Golhaabo
Saddam's yacht: yours for $34mn
Ocean Breeze: the super-yacht has an asking price of $34 million (AFP).A super-yacht built for former Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein is awaiting a buyer in the port of Nice, with an asking price of 23.5 million euros, ($34mn) according to a specialist website. The 82-metre (270-feet) Ocean Breeze, built in 1981 by Danish shipyard Helsingor Vaerft, started life as the Qadissiyat Saddam, but was never actually delivered to Iraq, says www.superyachttimes.com. more


Al-Jazeera News

Former Uruguay leader detained
Uruguay's last military leader has been charged with crimes against humanity over the disappearance of about 40 political prisoners. Gregorio Alvarez, an 82-year-old retired army general who ruled Uruguay between 1981 and 1985, was sent to a military prison on Monday to await his trial. more


BBC News

Fidel Castro hints at retirement
Cuba's ailing communist leader, Fidel Castro, has raised the possibility that he may never return to the presidency. In a letter read out on state TV, Mr Castro, Cuba's leader since 1959, said he had a duty not to hold on to power or obstruct the rise of younger people. Last year, he handed temporarily handed over power to his brother Raul and has not been seen in public since. more

 

Tuesday 18 December 2007

News Review

'No conclusive evidence that Hussein Solah was released from police custody' finds Maldives Human Rights Commission report

A report on the circumstances surrounding the death of Hussein Salah last April was published on Monday by the Maldives Human Rights Commission (HRCM). The report found that the there was no concrete evidence to suggest that physical torture was the primary cause of death. However, the reports notes that there was no conclusive evidence that Hussein Salah was released from detention as claimed by the police. more

Who's Who

Maldivian Receives Research Excellence Prize

Dr Riaz Shareef has been recently awarded the Early Career Research Excellence (ECRE) Prize of the prestigious Modelling and Simulation Society of Australia and New Zealand (MSSANZ) and he received it at the Biennial Congress (MODSIM 2007) held at the University of Canterbury, Christchurch, New Zealand, 10-14 December 2007. For MODSIM 2005 he was Session Organiser and Session Chair for Modelling International and Domestic Tourism Demand. He is also Session Organiser for (Modelling and Managing Tourism Demand) at MODSIM 2007. more

BBC Science/Nature
Rising seas 'to beat predictions'
The world's sea levels could rise twice as high this century as UN climate scientists have previously predicted, according to a study. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change proposes a maximum sea level rise of 81cm (32in) this century. But in the journal Nature Geoscience, researchers say the true maximum could be about twice that: 163cm (64in). They looked at what happened more than 100,000 years ago - the last time Earth was this warm. The results join other studies showing that current sea level projections may be very conservative. Sea level rise is a key effect of global climate change. There are two major contributory effects: expansion of sea water as the oceans warm, and the melting of ice over land. more

ނޫސް ބަޔާން
ސ. ގަމުގައި ޖެލެއް ހެދުމަށް ނިންމި ނިންމުން ކުއްވެރިކުރަން

ނަސީރު ކޮލަމް
ރައްޔިތުން އަތުގުޅާލުން: ވެރިއެއްގެ ނިމުމުގެ ފެށުން

Monday 17 December 2007

Minivan News
Election Amendment Bill Rejected
An election amendment bill, to secure independent vote counting, and combat suspected election fraud, was rejected this morning by the Maldives' parliament today. Poor attendance, once again, meant one vote was all it took to derail the bill, despite "widespread support" in the pre-vote debate. more

Maldives Live Blog
Ogilvy Action authors landmark campaign in the Maldives
"Dear Ogilvy Team - on the way to the launch ceremony now and everything looks great. The posters especially look incredible. So large! Thanks for all your hard work, over the past few days. Cheers, Sherine." That was the moment of truth the Ogilvy Action Team in Sri Lanka was waiting for. Almost two years ago, Ogilvy was requested by the UNICEF team in the Maldives to conceptualize a proactive campaign, in order to create mass awareness on the issue of drug abuse in the Republic of the Maldives. 'Kill Brown' was born as a result of this request. more

Sunday 16 December 2007

Editorial
Violence! Violence! Violence! - the Dictator's dirty deals

"Violence! Violence! Violence!" When those three lethal words left Dictator Gayoom's lips during that now infamous interview, there were some among our people who did wonder if the protest was all about violence. Now, two years later, the realization of those words have come to fruition. Now, we are wiser as to why those words oozed so smoothly out of the Dictator's lips. Violence is what he knows. Violence is what he practices. Violence is what he will resort to in the future. more

Local News
Dictator senior agent in parliament instructs members to throw out the bill of Chief Justice

Male' - Dictator most senior agent in the parliament, Aneesa Ahmed, has sent an sms to all the MPs of their party, DRP, reminding them to vote against the bill on chief justice, which is due to be submitted to parliament today. The Dhivehi sms message said ""Kurinves nimmaafaivaa gothah Uththama Fandiyaaruge bill balaigathumah vote nudhevvumah handhumafulhukoh aruvan. Aneesa". This is of course totally against the so called 'Road Map' of the Dictator, which goes to show how insincere he is about democratic reform. Aneesa, famously known as the prostitute-politician, is one of the key allies of the Maldives dictator and orchestrates almost all the anti-democracy movements in the parliament on Gayyoom's orders.

BBC News
Climate deal sealed by US U-turn
Delegates at the UN summit in Bali have agreed a deal on curbing climate change after days of bitter wrangling. Agreement was reached after a U-turn from the US, which had wanted firmer commitments from developing countries. Environment groups said they were disappointed by the lack of firm targets for reducing emissions. more

BBC News

Zimbabwe's top attorney suspended
Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe has suspended his attorney general over allegations he abused his office, state media has reported. A three-member tribunal has been appointed to investigate claims Sobusa Gula-Ndebele helped a fugitive banker, the state Herald newspaper said. He was briefly detained last month accused of corruption and could face a maximum 15 years in jail if convicted. Local media claimed the charges against the law chief were politically-driven. more

Music News
Seattle Noise: The Maldives
WHO: Jason Dodson, vocals and acoustic rhythm guitar; Jesse Bonn, electric rhythm guitar and vocals; Timothy Gadbois, lead guitar and vocals; Chris Zasche, pedal steel; Chris Warner, bass; Ryan McMackin, drums; Kevin Barrans, banjo and accordion; Seth Warren, fiddle; and Tomo Nakayama, pinch-hit drummer, keyboards and anything else he wants to do. more

Their songs are available on myspace click here

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