Maldives this week: 31 October - 6 November
Last week's key headlines.
On 6 November, Minister of Economic Development Fayyaz Ismail said he will be announcing the minimum wage on 8 November. Not much change is expected from the recommendations made by the Wage Board.
On 5 November, the Indian government appointed Munu Mahawar as the new Ambassador of India to the Maldives.
On 4 November, the Civil Service Commission published amendments to its regulations, prohibiting any exhibition of or alignment with any political ideologies by civil servants while involved in the provision of services.
On 4 November, the Maldives Food and Drug Authority warned action against pharmacies if essential medicines for pharmacies as stipulated under regulations were not available at pharmacies.
On 4 November, President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih returned to the Maldives after concluding his visit to attend the United Nations Climate Change Conference of Parties (COP26).
On 4 November, the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) suspended Criminal Court Judge Hussein Faiz Rashad, over a leaked audio recording. The JSC had earlier said that a voice analysis has shown a match with Rashad. The leaked audio allegedly features judges discussing the trial against former President Abdulla Yameen.
On 3 November, Minister of Defence Mariya Ahmed Didi, on a television program, said that Indian soldiers in the Maldives were not a threat to national sovereignty and independence. She added that these soldiers did not carry weapons. She also alleged that the opposition's "India Out" campaign was funded by those linked to drug networks, and highlighted the threat to national security from higher than proportionate numbers of foreign workers.
On 3 November, the Health Protection Agency (HPA) reported an increase in the number of new Covid-19 cases detected in the country, with 219 new cases. There are currently 1,981 active cases in the country.
The Maldivian government has, in its budget estimates for 2022, proposed to link islands in Baa, Meemu, Thaa and Laamu, through six causeways.
On 2 November, President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih said Maldivians at risk of becoming climate refugees and deserved a safe place to live, similar to the world's larger countries.
On 2 November, the Criminal Court remanded Ali Maniku and Mohamed Thasleem, charged for supporting a terrorist organisation, for their involvement in the 6 May attack on Speaker of Parliament Mohamed Nasheed, until the end of their trial hearings.
On 2 November, Minister of Education Dr. Aishath Ali said that the Covid-19 pandemic has not had a major impact on student learning.
On 1 November, President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, speaking at the COP26 summit said that the Maldives stood at risk of disappearing if global temperatures remained unchecked and increased by 2 degrees.
On 1 November, the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) said that investigations through audio analysis on audios leaked of three judges allegedly discussing the case against former President Abdulla Yameen have shown a match with Criminal Court Judge Hussein Faiz Rashad and that Rashad's case will be investigated further. On 2 November, the opposition said that it did not accept the investigation and called for the audios to be analysed by a foreign forensic expert.
On 1 November, the Anti-Corruption Corruption asked the Prosecutor General's Office to file additional charges in the ventilator case, as it has not been able to ascertain how the funds paid to Dubai's Executors General Trading, or who had benefited from the funds. The ACC said that the 11 people it had requested charges be made against be charged still, and added a new charge.
On 31 October, the Maldivian government issued regulations mandating life jackets on all sea vessels less than 9 meters and life jackets that are easily accessible in all other vessels.
On 31 October, Minister of Finance Ibrahim Ameer submitted to parliament a MVR36.9 billion national budget for 2022.
