Indian Ocean

Myanmar government says ethnic Shan rebels attacked state oil office, killing 2

The Canadian Press — Thu, 16 May 2013 07:23:03 +0000

The Canadian Press

YANGON, Myanmar - Myanmar's government says ethnic Shan guerrillas have attacked a state oil and gas company compound near the Chinese border, leaving two dead and three wounded.

The state-owned Myanma Ahlin newspaper reported Wednesday that guerrillas from the Restoration Council of the Shan State-Shan State Army opened fire Monday at the Myanma Oil and Gas Enterprise compound in Namkham, 740 kilometres (460 miles) north of Yangon.

Ford revs up to roll into Myanmar car market

Agence France-Presse — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 10:16:09 +0000

Agence France-Presse

Ford Motor said on Tuesday will open a showroom in Yangon by the end of the year, making it the first US automaker to enter Myanmar after the rollback of sanctions in the once junta-ruled nation.

The firm will sell and service vehicles with a local partner firm, as it seeks to tap demand in a nation where huge import taxes and a US investment ban aimed at the previous regime meant cars were too expensive for many.

Maldives minister to visit New Delhi

Asianet — Mon, 15 Apr 2013 18:02:22 +0000

Asianet

Maldivian Defence Minister Colonel Mohamed Nazim would arrive in New Dheli on a five-day visit, in a bid to shore up the bilateral relations that witnessed strains over a number of issues in the recent months.

He would be in India from Monday to Friday and during his stay he is expected to meet Defence Minister A K Antony and the country’s political top brass, apart from visiting certain defence institutions.

The visit comes just months after there was a war of words between New Delhi and Male over former Maldivan President Mohammed Nasheed taking shelter in the Indian High Com

Commercial viability and economic empowerment of the people are of utmost importance- VP

Asianet — Mon, 15 Apr 2013 18:02:18 +0000

Asianet

Vice President Mohamed Waheed Deen has said that although freedom of speech and democracy were two very important things, the most important was being commercially viable, the ability to stand on one’s own feet, and economic empowerment of the people.

The Vice President made this remark while speaking at the Turkish-Maldives Business Forum 2013.

President Waheed pledges tourism development in North Maalhosmadulu Atoll

Asianet — Mon, 15 Apr 2013 18:02:13 +0000

Asianet

President Dr Mohamed Waheed has yesterday said that islands from the North Maalhosmadulu Atoll would be allocated to be developed as tourist resorts. The President made this remark while speaking to the people of Rasgetheemu, as part of his visit to the island yesterday. The President is currently on a tour of some islands of the North Maalhosmadulu Atoll.

Speaking on the revenue received from the taxation of tourist resorts, President Waheed noted that the government is able to spend a proportionate sum on enhancing social welfare and benefits for the people.

Stable families and peace in the country are vital for advancement - President

Asianet — Mon, 15 Apr 2013 18:02:10 +0000

Asianet

President Dr Mohamed Waheed has said that as we work towards the advancement of the country, nothing must be held with a higher esteem than stability of families, harmony in the island, and peace in the country. The President made this remark while addressing the people of An’golhitheemu Island yesterday, as part of his current visit to some islands in the North Maalhosmadulu Atoll.

Speaking in this regard, the President said that all that is done for the improvement of the island should also be carried out with the full support and cooperation of the people.

Major Somali security crackdown after suicide attacks

Agence France-Presse — Mon, 15 Apr 2013 08:45:47 +0000

Agence France-Presse

Somalia's police force launched a major security operation Monday searching for explosives and weapons, a day after a spectacular suicide attack by Islamist insurgents in the city.

"There is a major security operation under way in Mogadishu," said senior police official Mohamed Hassan. "So far more than 400 people have been detained, the operations are aimed at tackling insecurity."

At least five dead, several injured in Mogadishu attack

Agence France-Presse — Sun, 14 Apr 2013 12:00:04 +0000

Agence France-Presse

At least five people have been confirmed dead and several more injured in Sunday's attack in a courthouse in the Somali capital Mogadishu, police said.

"So far at least five people, among them civilians, were confirmed dead. The death toll could be higher since the situation is not under control yet," Ahmed Abdulkadir, a police officer at the scene, told AFP.

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Nation needs a leader who will not disregard mosques- Gasim

Asianet — Fri, 12 Apr 2013 21:03:15 +0000

Asianet

Gasim Ibrahim, Leader and Presidential candidate of Jumhooree Party has said that the Maldivian nation is in need of a leader who will not disregard the building and expansion of mosques and who will not build temples, churches and synagogues in the Maldives.

Gasim made this remark in the Jumhooree Party’s campaign rally held at Naalaafushi during the party’s campaign tour to Mulaku Atoll.

Gasim, one of the most respected businessmen and philanthropist in the country with a strong populist following amongst the people, said that the people has seen the consequences of electing

Gasim gains popularity among the people because they value is services- Ameen

Asianet — Fri, 12 Apr 2013 21:03:11 +0000

Asianet

Deputy leader of the Jumhooree Party, Ameen Ibrahim has said that the leader and Presidential candidate of Jumhooree Party, Gasim Ibrahim is popular among the people because the people value his great services for the betterment of the nation.

Ameen Ibrahim made this remark in the Jumhooree Party’s campaign rally held at Mulee during the party’s campaign tour to Meemu Atoll. He said that the country has not seen the likes of Gasim Ibrahim in his great philanthropic works and his public and national services.

“Think! In which area has he not served this nation?

Committed to women rights: President

Asianet — Fri, 12 Apr 2013 21:02:58 +0000

Asianet

Maldivian President Mohamed Waheed on Tuesday said that the country is a young democracy working to balance religious faith with new democratic values, as an online petition against the recent sentencing of a rape victim for 100 lashes received two million signatures today.

A Maldivian Juvinile Court had last month sentenced a 15-year-old rape victim to eight months under house arrest and 100 lashes after being convicted for pre-marital sex in another case.

Prosecutors maintain that the teenage girl, who gave birth and buried the baby in Shaviyani Atoll Feydhoo, was charged wit

India assures Maldives of stronger ties

Asianet — Fri, 12 Apr 2013 21:02:53 +0000

Asianet

India has assured the Maldives of stronger ties between both countries, the Maldivian government said Wednesday.

India’s eewly appointed high commissioner to the Maldives, Rajeev Shahare gave this assurance after presenting his credentials to Maldivian President Mohamed Waheed, Xinhua reported.

At a ceremony held at the president’s office Wednesday, Waheed congratulated the new Indian envoy and welcomed him to the Maldives.

The president and the Indian high commissioner later discussed bilateral relations.

Shahare reassured Waheed that relations between the countrie

Many have lost their lives under article 38 of the constitution- Gasim

Asianet — Thu, 11 Apr 2013 18:16:30 +0000

Asianet

Gasim Ibrahim, Leader and Presidential candidate of Jumhooree Party has said that many people have lost their lives under the article 38 of the constitution.

Gasim made this remark speaking at the campaign rally of Jumhooree Party held at Meemu Atoll Mulee. He said that the article 38 is an oppressive article that was included in the constitution.

“Under that article you can be charged with crime and arrested because of the way you look at a top official of the government, because of speech you utter, because of a gesture you make.

Turkish Ambassador calls on the President

Asianet — Thu, 11 Apr 2013 18:16:11 +0000

Asianet

Ambassador of Turkey accredited to the Maldives, Dr Burak Akçapar has paid a courtesy call on President Dr Mohamed Waheed this morning.

New Cypriot Ambassador Presents Credentials to the President

Asianet — Thu, 11 Apr 2013 18:16:02 +0000

Asianet

New Ambassador of Cyprus accredited to the Maldives, Maria Michail presented her letter of credence to President Dr Mohamed Waheed yesterday morning.

At the ceremony held at the President’s Office to present the credentials, President Waheed congratulated Ambassador Michail.

Meeting the new Ambassador afterwards, the President and the Ambassador discussed increasing cooperation between the Maldives and Cyprus in the areas of tourism and health.

President Waheed noted the similarities between the Maldives and Cyprus, both as small states and in the issues faced in the poli