But this framing is fundamentally flawed—especially from an Islamic perspective. It confuses two very different concepts: believing something exists and believing in something.

Islam makes this distinction clear. While the Qur’an affirms the existence of Shayṭān (Satan), it never commands believers to “believe in” him. Instead, it warns against giving him authority, legitimacy, or devotion. The only being a Muslim is commanded to believe in is Allah, His angels, His books, His messengers, the Last Day, and divine decree.

Understanding this distinction is essential for a coherent theology.

1. Believing Something Exists vs. Believing In Something

Believing something exists

This is an acknowledgment of reality. For example:
•    You may believe that fire exists.
•    You may believe that poison exists.
•    You may believe that criminals exist.

But this does not mean you believe in fire, poison, or criminals in a devotional or trusting sense.

Believing in something

This implies:
•    trust
•    reverence
•    moral alignment
•    spiritual commitment

In Islam, “belief in” (īmān) is an act of worship. It is reserved for Allah and what He commands.
Thus:

• A Muslim believes that Shayṭān exists (as a creation of Allah).
• A Muslim does not believe in Shayṭān, nor is he required to.

This distinction is the foundation for understanding why the original statement is theologically incorrect.

2. What the Qur’an Actually Says About Satan

The Qur’an repeatedly affirms that Satan exists and is an enemy—but never as an object of belief or devotion.
Satan is an enemy, not an article of faith

إِنَّ ٱلشَّيْطَـٰنَ لَكُمْ عَدُوٌّۭ فَٱتَّخِذُوهُ عَدُوًّا ۚ إِنَّمَا يَدْعُوا۟ حِزْبَهُۥ لِيَكُونُوا۟ مِنْ أَصْحَـٰبِ ٱلسَّعِيرِ ٦

“Indeed, Satan is your enemy, so treat him as an enemy.”
(Qur’an 35:6)

This verse—found in the search results—makes the relationship clear:
recognition, not reverence.

Satan invites to destruction

إِنَّ ٱلشَّيْطَـٰنَ لَكُمْ عَدُوٌّۭ فَٱتَّخِذُوهُ عَدُوًّا ۚ إِنَّمَا يَدْعُوا۟ حِزْبَهُۥ لِيَكُونُوا۟ مِنْ أَصْحَـٰبِ ٱلسَّعِيرِ ٦

“He only invites his followers to the blazing Fire.”
(Qur’an 35:6)

The Qur’an does not elevate Satan to a cosmic equal of God. He is merely a deceiver, a tempter, a creature.

Satan is not a rival god

وَمَا هُوَ بِقَوْلِ شَيْطَـٰنٍۢ رَّجِيمٍۢ ٢٥

“And the Qur’an is not the word of a devil expelled.”
(Qur’an 81:25)

This verse rejects the idea that Satan has divine qualities or creative power.

Satan has no authority over believers

إِنَّ عِبَادِى لَيْسَ لَكَ عَلَيْهِمْ سُلْطَـٰنٌ إِلَّا مَنِ ٱتَّبَعَكَ مِنَ ٱلْغَاوِينَ ٤٢

“My servants—you have no authority over them.”
(Qur’an 15:42)

This reinforces that Satan is not a counterpart to God. He is powerless except over those who willingly follow him.

3. The Hadith Perspective: Satan Exists, But He Is Not a Figure of Faith

Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) frequently warned about Satan’s whispers, but never framed belief in Satan as part of faith.

Hadith: Satan runs through the human being like blood

The Prophet said:
“Satan flows through the son of Adam like blood.”
(Sahih al-Bukhari & Muslim)
This is a warning about vigilance—not an instruction to “believe in” Satan.

Hadith: Satan flees from the call to prayer

“When the call to prayer is made, Satan flees…”
(Sahih Muslim)
This demonstrates Satan’s weakness, not his divinity or worthiness of belief.

4. Why the Statement Is Theologically Wrong in Islam

1. It implies dualism

The statement suggests:

• God on one side
• Devil on the other
• both requiring belief

Islam rejects this dualistic worldview. There is no cosmic battle between two equal forces. Allah is the sole Creator; Satan is a creation.

2. It elevates Satan to a position he does not have

Believing in the Devil implies:

• trust
• reverence
• spiritual acknowledgment

Islam forbids this.

3. It confuses recognition with devotion

Islam commands believers to:
•    recognize Satan’s existence
•    avoid his influence
•    seek refuge in Allah
But never to “believe in” him.

5. How Other Faith Traditions View This Distinction

Christianity: Christians acknowledge Satan’s existence but do not “believe in” him as an object of faith. The Nicene Creed includes belief in God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit—not Satan.

Judaism: Jewish theology recognizes the yetzer hara (evil inclination) and the satan figure, but belief in God does not require belief in Satan.

Hinduism & Buddhism: These traditions acknowledge destructive forces or tempters (e.g., Māra in Buddhism), but they are not objects of belief or devotion.

Across religions, the pattern is consistent: acknowledgment does not equal belief in.

6. The Islamic Creed (ʿAqīdah) Makes the Distinction Explicit

The six pillars of faith (īmān) are:

1. Belief in Allah
2. Belief in His angels
3. Belief in His books
4. Belief in His messengers
5. Belief in the Last Day
6. Belief in divine decree

Satan is not included.

A Muslim may acknowledge Satan’s existence, but he is not part of the creed.

7. Conclusion: Belief in God Does Not Require Belief In the Devil

The makers of a recently released Maldivian motion picture titled "PAREE", knowingly or unknowingly included the phrase "If you believe in God"..."You must believe in the Devil" in its trailer. { https://www.instagram.com/reel/DR4X4NhEyE9/ }

The statement “If you believe in God, you must believe in the Devil” collapses two different concepts into one. Islam teaches:

• You may believe that Satan exists (as a created being).
• You must not believe in Satan (as an object of faith).
• You must believe in Allah alone.

The Qur’an and Sunnah emphasize vigilance, not veneration; awareness, not allegiance.
In Islam—and in many other faiths—belief in God stands alone, independent, and supreme. Satan’s existence is acknowledged only to warn believers, not to elevate him to a theological necessity.

Months later, the lamb who saw the wolf was cranky, restless, poorly developing, and losing weight. The lamb died whilst the other lamb remained healthy. Although the wolf did nothing to the lamb next to it, the fear and stress that lamb lived in killed it prematurely, while the other lamb that did not see the wolf, was peaceful and developed well with a healthy weight gain.

In this experiment lbn Sina demonstrated the importance of mental health. Do not trouble yourself with unnecessary worry and concerns.

Source: Avicenna, “Concerning the Soul”, in F. Rahman, Avicenna’s Psychology: An English Translation of Kitab Al-Najat.”

After 40-years of inspiration, brainstorming and engineering, the 14.4 kilometres of subsea engineering marvel, has 8 kilometres of dual carriageway. The amazing twin-bore tunnel, has 2 lanes, surface zones with local roads, portal structures, adjecent bridges and buildings for technical systems at surface level and in the tunnel.

Stretching beneath the sea, it offers a unique journey through the depths, connecting lands that were once only reachable by ferry. Delving up to 292 meters (nearly 958 feet) below sea level at its deepest point, the Ryfast Tunnel is not just long but also the world's deepest subsea tunnel.

This remarkable depth showcases the engineering prowess behind its construction, with the steepest climb of 7%, which applies for 4 km of the distance up to Solbakk, offers a safe and reliable passage beneath the fjord.

The tunnel was built from both ends, with one contractor at each end. Each charge will blast the tunnel bore around 5 metres, and each week the tunnel will grow between 30 and 40 metres longer. The tunnel bores will meet 292 metres under the sea. The main contractor at Solbakk was Marti IAV Solbakk DA, and the main contractor at Hundvåg was AF Gruppa Norge AS.

The Ryfast Tunnel system serves as a vital link beneath the waters of the Ryfylke fjord, connecting the city of Stavanger with the municipality of Strand in Rogaland county. This route not only shortens travel time but also enhances the connectivity between these regions, making it easier for travelers and locals.

The construction of the Ryfast Tunnel was a monumental task that began in the spring of 2013 and concluded with its opening in December 2019.

The cost of the project was a little over 4.6 Billion Norwegian Krone (approximately 7.2 Billion Maldivian Rufiyaa).

Its not a scientific theory or a dream like traveling to Mars, but a reality. This impressive structure not only stands as a testament to modern engineering but also offers a new way to explore the stunning landscapes of Norway.

A subsea tunnel between Male City and Rasmale (President Muizzu's dream and promised new city-extension project) would approximately have a length of 11.4 kilometres.

Under the skies where silence screams
A river of sorrow runs so deep
Shattered are the fragile dreams
While shadows of the guilty creep.

The fields of olive still soaked in red
Lives uprooted by cruel hands
The air is heavy with the dead
Their cries swept across barren lands.

A nation cloaked in hollow pride
Wields power like ruthless knives
Their greed the flame where hope has died
Their conquest costing countless lives.

Children weep, their mothers gone
Fathers fall, their spirits torn
The world looks on, a muted pawn
While innocence is left to mourn.

How long must suffering bear its face?
While justice turns its gaze away?
Can we endure this endless disgrace?
And let the tyrants have their day?

Oh, history, mark this with your ink
The deeds of those who sowed despair
For every heart pushed to the brink
There'll be a reckoning somewhere.

But still, the bloodied dawn appears
A cycle forged in brutal lore
And in the silence of our tears
We vow to whisper, "Nevermore."

~ by Y.A ~

Last Friday, the world experienced the biggest global outage of key Windows PC infrastructure in history — this issue, caused by a botched CrowdStrike update to its kernel-level Falcon Sensor software, made modern Windows systems so fundamentally non-functional that flights around the world were delayed. Southwest Airlines managed to avoid the issue, because the company was using Windows 3.1 instead of any remotely modern version of the OS.

But as it turns out, the problem isn't just isolated to modern Windows operating systems. Linux users have been reporting kernel panics and crashes related to the same software since as early as April of this year, per a report from The Register.

So, how is this issue cross-platform? Chances are the specific issue that caused chaos over the last few days is not— after all, we would've seen it cripple Windows machines much sooner if that were the case. However, what this does demonstrate is that CrowdStrike has apparently been lax with its Falcon Sensor Security software for quite a while now.

For those unfamiliar, the "kernel" of an operating system refers to the layer outside of user interaction (typically called the "shell"), and most directly connected to the hardware beneath. The thing is, very little computer software actually needs kernel access to get its work done. And while security software can certainly be an exception because threats often may attempt to infiltrate the kernel, it's still very important to ensure that the software isn't also causing kernel instability and crashes for any target platform.

An interesting sidenote pointed out by The Register is that CrowdStrike's current CEO, George Kurtz, was also CEO of McAFee during an infamous 2010 update that caused several PCs to be stuck in an endless boot loop. This likely makes George Kurtz the first CEO in history to preside over two major global PC outages caused by bad security software updates.

Linux users who have been impacted reportedly include those using Red Hat Enterprise Linux, Debian Linux (and Debian is the basis for the more-widespread Ubuntu), and Rocky Linux. All of the issues in question are impacting the underlying Linux kernel (universal across Linux distributions), though, seemingly crashing any Linux distributions using kernel versions 5.14.0-42713.1 and newer.

Linux users do seem to have more recourse for issues like this— including switching to an eBPF "User Mode"— but it speaks to the severity of CrowdStrike's kernel software development issues if the company is managing to cripple Linux and Windows operating systems. 

It also shows that there were warning signs for this past global outage, and that systems should have been in place at CrowdStrike some time ago to test these enterprise and government-targeted updates vigorously enough to prevent these kernel-level crashes. After all, most impacted users in these strictly-controlled environments likely don't have the administrative access or knowledge required to fix these problems once they occur. In other words, much-improved QA testing would seem to be mandatory for CrowdStrike's continued long-term success.

In the late hours of July 18, CrowdStrike released an update which saw Windows machines BSoD (Blue Screen of Death) across the world. Initially this was reported as a Microsoft centric issue, with Azure and Office365 being impacted, but it later transpired that CrowdStrike's update of its Falcon Sensor which detects and reacts to threats to systems, was the cause. Official confirmation of CrowdStrike being the root cause has been made, and a workaround fix has been issued. Things are slowly returning to normal, but as each time zone wakes up, more cases are being reported.

If your Windows Client or Server VM is running the CrowdStrike Falcon agent, then the BSoD bug may see your VM stuck in a restarting state. Using the Azure Portal or Azure CLI / Shell you need to reboot your VMs a number of times. Microsoft states that some users have rebooted up to 15 times to get past this issue.

George Kurtz, President and CEO of Crowdstrike has been interviewed by NBC News and issued an apology for the disruption caused by the global outage triggered by CrowdStrike's update.

"We're deeply sorry for the impact that we've caused to customers, to travellers, to anyone affected by this, including our companies" 

QUICK FIX

Need to fix the issue quickly? Here are the steps that you need to take. Note that this may not work for everyone, and you do so at your own risk. This fix comes courtesy of Brody Nisbet, CrowdStrike's Director of Threat Hunting.

1. Boot Windows into Safe Mode or WRE.

2. Go to C:\Windows\System32\drivers\CrowdStrike

3. Locate and delete file matching "C-00000291*.sys"

4. Boot normally.

Microsoft now says that the "underlying cause" of the issue has now been fixed for its apps. Users should experience a "residual impact" that should decline of the next few hours.

THE STORY

It seems that a recent CrowdStrike code update is bricking Windows machines across the world. The issue which occurred late in the night of July 18 is impacting companies of all scales. In the United Kingdom, the London Stock Exchange, television companies, flight operators and train companies are impacted. The dreaded Blue Screen of Death (BSoD) is appearing on Windows machines across the world. The cause is now linked to a recent CrowdStrike update which George Kurtz, President and CEO of Crowdstrike has now confirmed.

The BSoD issue is down to a misconfigured configuration issue but it does mean that users are forced to take hands on action to potentially remedy the issue. But for now we would wait for official guidance on how to remedy the issue, but later in this story we do cover one approach which is apparently working for some users.

According to the BBC News website, Microsoft released a statement which removes doubt over issues with its own services, the focus moving to CrowdStrike's services.

We spotted the start of this issue via the creator of haveibeenpwned, Troy Hunt's post on X, formerly Twitter.

Nothing says “We’re sorry for knocking a significant portion of the world offline and causing global mayhem” like a $10 Uber Eats voucher ????‍♂️ https://t.co/8yr6Nlhamc

— Troy Hunt (@troyhunt) July 25, 2024

Post mortem from CrowdStrike: “On July 19, 2024, two additional IPC Template Instances were deployed. Due to a bug in the Content Validator, one of the two Template Instances passed validation despite containing problematic content data.” https://t.co/u4E0tdLCRI

— Troy Hunt (@troyhunt) July 25, 2024

The world has been monitoring this issue and in the first few hours there was plenty of finger-pointing on social media, nothing official was released until 05:50 EDT, when Microsoft hinted that a "third-party" was to blame, and moments later the CrowdStrike statement was released.

he source of the issue is a content update for CrowdStrike's Falcon Sensor product, "The intelligent, lightweight CrowdStrike Falcon sensor, unlike any other, blocks attacks on your systems while capturing and recording activity as it happens to detect threats fast." according to the CrowdStrike website.

What's the impact of the CrowdStrike outage?

The impact of the issue is global and it seems that today is a bad day for Windows users. CrowdStrike has confirmed that MacOS and Linux users are unaffected but airports, banks, stock exchanges, TV networks, medical services are all impacted across the world. We've compiled a list of some key areas that have been impacted during the early hours of this story.

• Reuters are reporting that IT systems for the upcoming Olympic Games in Paris are affected, with the organizers moving to a contingency process.
• United, Delta and American Airlines have issued a "global ground stop" on all of their flights. Flights already in the air will continue, and there are no apparent safety issues.
• Australian Telstra Group, a telecommunications company is also facing disruption.
• Airports across the UK are reporting delays and flight suspensions. Barcodes used for security checks at London Gatwick are not working, with security checks conducted manually.
• India's Delhi airport has resorted to manual processing of passengers and flight times communicated via a whiteboard.
  Railway companies are reporting delays.
• Sky TV and BBC Children's channel CBBC are off the air, with Sky running old stories.

Is this a hack?

Right now, there is no evidence that this is an orchestrated attack with a malicious intent. No hacker groups have come forward to claim the hack, and at the time of writing, it is believed that there are no personal data loss or safety issues.
The issue doesn't seem linked to any cyber attacks, merely a bad update is likely to blame. A bad update which has impacted many aspects of our digital lives.

What is CrowdStrike?

CrowdStrike is an American cybersecurity company. Based in Austin, Texas, Crowdstrike provides "cloud workload protection and endpoint security." The goal of the software is to prevent hacks and outages, so it seems ironic that it could now be the cause of a global IT outage. The alleged cause of the issue is CrowdStrike's Falcon Sensor, a tool that analyzes connections to and from the wider Internet for malicious behavior.

Brody Nisbet, CrowdStrike's Director of Threat Hunting has confirmed that the issue lies with CrowdStrike, but the issues lies with a "faulty channel file" and Nisbet suggests a workaround for some of those stuck in a BSOD boot loop. The fix has to be manually applied to each affected machine. Remotely managed systems can (hopefully) do this from afar, but for others will need a System Administrator (sysadmin) or IT support team member to perform the task. Remember to say thanks to your sysadmin today!

As the global outage was unfolding, we reached out to Tom Cheesewright, Applied Futurist who has worked with NASA, Google and Meta, for comment on this global issue.

"It will be interesting to find out if the two occurrences - Azure going down and the CrowdStrike issue - are connected. If not, it's an awful coincidence and one that has really compounded the chaos for Microsoft users. This is news because it's rare and we have to remember that, in spite of today's chaos. Cloud systems have proven to be a more reliable, more efficient and largely more secure way of operating. They're big news when they fail because so many people are affected. But if you aggregated the many small failures and cost of all the hardware we used to have in data centres, and the dusty servers in the corner of basements, I'm pretty sure we'd all come to the conclusion that the occasional failure is worth it."

The complex interplay between these dual workforces is governed by a bifurcated legal framework that sets distinct rules and obligations for local and foreign workers. This study seeks to explore the intricacies of these legal frameworks, highlighting the implications, challenges, and potential solutions in harmonizing the regulations, while examining their broader economic and social impacts.

Legal Frameworks Governing the Dual Workforce

The legal landscape in the Maldives is characterized by the coexistence of separate regulations for local and expatriate workers. Local employees are primarily governed by the Employment Act 2008, which outlines terms and conditions related to employment contracts, work hours, leaves, and termination. Conversely, expatriate Labour is regulated under the Expatriates Employment Regulations 2009, with additional stipulations for work permits, visa requirements, and sector-specific rules.

Implications of Dual Legal Systems

The existence of dual legal systems creates a range of implications for both the workforce and employers in the Maldives. For expatriate workers, the process of obtaining work permits and navigating visa regulations can be cumbersome and restrictive. These legal requirements can lead to increased administrative burdens for employers, as well as potential legal conflicts and compliance issues. For local workers, the protections and benefits established under local laws may not always be aligned with those accorded to expatriates, causing potential tensions and perceptions of inequity in the workplace.

Challenges in Managing Dual Employment Regulations

The management of dual employment regulations in the Maldives poses significant challenges. One of the primary challenges is ensuring compliance with both sets of legal requirements, which may at times be conflicting or place undue burdens on employers. Additionally, the enforcement mechanisms for expatriate workforce regulations may vary, leading to inconsistent application and potential exploitation of foreign workers. The interplay between different regulatory bodies and the potential for overlapping jurisdictional authority further complicates the regulatory landscape.

Comparative Analysis of Case Studies

A comparative analysis of case studies reveals the multifaceted nature of dual workforce regulation. Examining instances where regulatory disparities have led to legal disputes, the analysis identifies patterns and common themes in the challenges faced by both local and expatriate workers. The case studies underscore the importance of balanced regulatory practices that protect the rights of all workers while fostering a stable and inclusive Labour market.

Economic and Social Impacts

The duality of Labour market regulations has broader economic and social impacts on the Maldives. The reliance on expatriate Labour, particularly in the tourism and construction industries, underscores the need for regulatory frameworks that support both Labour market stability and economic growth. Socially, the disparities between local and foreign worker regulations can lead to community tensions and a sense of inequity, which policymakers must address to ensure social cohesion and inclusivity.

Potential Solutions and Policy Recommendations

Addressing the challenges associated with dual workforce regulation requires a multifaceted approach. Potential solutions include harmonizing key aspects of local and expatriate Labour laws to reduce administrative burdens and ensure equitable treatment of all workers. Additionally, strengthening enforcement mechanisms and regulatory oversight can help mitigate the risks of exploitation and ensure compliance. Policymakers should also consider the development of comprehensive Labour policies that integrate the needs of both local and expatriate workers, fostering a more inclusive and balanced Labour market.

The study of dual workforce regulation in the Maldives reveals a complex legal and regulatory environment with significant implications for Labour markets, economic stability, and social cohesion. By exploring the challenges and potential solutions associated with managing dual employment regulations, this study provides valuable insights for policymakers, legal practitioners, and stakeholders. Ultimately, achieving a harmonized and equitable regulatory framework is crucial for fostering a stable, inclusive, and prosperous Labour market in the Maldives.

The club, which has secured a place in the first division of next season, has negative attributions towards it by the public due to its former name, a senior member of the Maldives football scene previously stated.

The rebrand was marked with a special event where the club also unveiled its new logo. The ceremony was attended by key stakeholders such as Ahmed Thoriq who has announced his candidacy to contest as President in the upcoming elections of the Football Association of Maldives (FAM).

As a member of FAM, Odi Sports Club also has a voting seat in the association's general elections.

A second club has also rebranded upon moving up to the first division; The Grande Sports Club, formerly The Grande Amigos New Generation (The Gang).

The negative attributions alluded to may have been due to the shared names with existing gangs in the country, which may have led the public to believe that there are connections between the clubs and perceived criminal elements in society.

FIFA is hosting its 74th congress in Bangkok, the capital city of Thailand. FIFA predicts that over 3,000 representatives from 211 member states will attend the congress slated for Friday, May 17.

Member states will be requested to vote in order to determine the host country for the 2027 Women's World Cup during this congress as well.

The Maldivian delegation set to represent the country during the congress is President of FAM Bassam Adeel Jaleel, the Vice President of Association, Ali Umar and Acting General Secretary of FAM, Mohamed Jaushan Shareef.

"Bassam (if permitted to travel), Ali Umar and I," said Jaushan in response to a question inquiring the representatives for Maldives during the FIFA congress.

Building on its long-term partnership with Tencent Holdings Limited, the official developer of WeChat, Network International (Network), the leading enabler of digital commerce across the Middle East and Africa (MEA) region, is now offering WeChat Pay acceptance on its POS terminals across the Maldives enabling Chinese visitors to transact seamlessly, safely and securely via their WeChat Pay mobile wallet.

The Bank’s Director of Retail, Business & SME Banking Moosa Nimal said “We have started the rollout of WeChat Pay at merchants at Velana International Airport’s duty-free shopping. By accepting WeChat Pay on the Bank’s POS network, we are paving the way for more than 1 billion active users of the Weixin & WeChat platform to make payments at merchants across Maldives. Our aim is to continually enhance the payment experience for our customers and merchants. Today’s announcement means we are now able to offer our customers the choice and convenience to choose their preferred way to pay.”

The Bank currently accepts payments of all major debit and credit cards including American Express, Visa, Mastercard, Union Pay, as well as digital wallets including BML Pay, Ali Pay, Apple Pay and Google Pay. In addition to POS terminals, merchants can now accept payments online anywhere with the Bank’s Merchant Portal and mPOS App, using the service to send payment requests, check transactions and manage online stores.

WeChat Pay is popular in China and Middle-east.

In an exclusive interview with 'Sun' News last Saturday amid his visit to N. Kudafari - Siyam's birth island - the business tycoon, the owner of Sun Siyam resorts said the parliament was a crucial avenue doing important work for the public's benefit.

Siyam further said the parliament should play a vital role in enhancing a safe economic environment in the Maldives.

"I am hopeful that we will be doing a lot of important work for the public's betterment, much like before," he commented.

Relating to the landslide victory of PNC in the Parliamentary Election, he praised the people; that they are intelligent and are decisive about the steps taken to improve their livelihood.

"All of us are trying to better our lives, that is the vision of us politicians as well, to ensure the public get what the public want," Siyam added.

He further said the votes secured by MDA in the recently held parliamentary election indicated public's trust and confidence in the party.

The 2 seats secured by his party, MDA are N. Velidhoo seat that of Meedhoo won by himself.

The recently elected lawmakers will take oath on May 28th 2024.

Ruling PNC has emerged as the majority party with 73 seats, which includes the original 66 seats and the seven independent members who joined few days after the election results.

The 20th assembly of the parliament consists of 93 members.

President Yameen and Ahmed Siyam were close political allies till the fall of PPM's Administration and conviction of President Yameen (which was declared void last month).

Funadhoo had been scheduled to hold a by-election on June 8, to elect a female member to the islands’ council.

But on Sunday, the Elections Commission (EC) announced that PNC’s Aminath Yumna, a native of Funadhoo, had won the vacant seat by default, as no other candidates contested. The latest win comes after PNC won four out if six seats in the by-elections held on May 4, to elect members to vacancies in local councils.

The polling took place in six islands; HA. Thakandhoo, HA. Utheemu, N. Landhoo, N. Velidhoo, R. Innamaadhoo, and M. Maduvvari. Voters in Thakandhoo and Innamaadhoo voted to elect a female member to the islands’ council, while voters in Maduvvari voted to elect a president to the island’s council.

The other three islands – Utheemu, Landhoo and Velidhoo – voted to elect general members to the council.

PNC also won four of the seats; in Utheemu, Thakandhoo, Velidhoo and Innamaadhoo. Meanwhile, the main opposition MDP, secured the seat in Landhoo, while The Democrats secured the one in Maduvvari.

The latest by-elections came after the EC repeatedly expressed concern over the high resignation rate among members of local councils and women’s development committees.

In an earlier interview, EC’s chairman Fuad Thaufeeq said that three to four members resign from women’s development committees each month. He voiced concern over the huge cost of holding frequent by-elections to replace the members.

In 2022, a bill was submitted to change the law to allow for by-elections for vacancies to be held once a year. However, the legislature remains stymied in the Parliament.

On Tuesday, the 7th May, Zareer received approval of the Parliament’s Economic Affairs Committee with 10 votes. Yazeed had only received four votes.

Following the resignation of Fathuhullah Jameel in February, president Dr. Mohamed Muizzu had nominated Zareer and Yazeed Mohamed to the post.

Yazeed Mohamed, who previously held the role of Commissioner General of Taxation during the administration of former President Abdullah Yameen Abdul Gayoom, is once again in the spotlight. His wealth of experience and familiarity with tax matters positions him as a strong candidate for the crucial role.

Hassan Zareer, who served as Deputy Commissioner General of Taxation during the same period, joins Yazeed on the list of nominees. His expertise and understanding of the intricacies of tax administration make him a worthy contender.

The vacancy for the Commissioner General of Taxation arose following the resignation of the former commissioner, Fathuhulla Jameel, who contested in the recent parliamentary election as a parliamentary nominee of Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP).

The parliamentary economic relations committee had passed over Yazeed who was the president's preferred nomination to sign off on Zareer to the tax commissioner's post.

During Monday's sitting, 45 MPs voted in favour of Zareer which included ruling PPM/PNC lawmakers.

Israel’s war on Gaza live: Israel has no ‘credible plan’ for Rafah – US

• More than 35,034 people have been killed and 78,755 wounded in Israeli attacks on Gaza since October 7. The revised death toll in Israel from Hamas’s October 7 attacks stands at 1,139 with dozens of people still held captive.

However, “there’s nowhere safe for anybody to go to in Gaza and particularly in the southern part of the Gaza Strip where we already have intense overcrowding in some of the makeshift zones that have been designated for humanitarian exit from the Rafah area,” Alliance for Middle East Peace Executive Director John Lyndon told FRANCE 24. According to the Israeli army, some 300,000 people have already evacuated, but an estimated 700,000 to 1.1 million people remain in the wider Rafah area, Lyndon said 

“I think there’s no doubt in the fact and certainly in the mind of Binyamin Netanyahu, whatever happens and whatever it takes, he’s going to push ahead with that ground offensive,” FRANCE 24's International Affairs Editor Philip Turle said.

“The problem here is, we don’t really know, and no one really knows where they’re going to go,” Turle added.

Speaking at a ceremony held at Meeruma Hotel, Minister Saeed that the establishment of the development bank will revolutionize the financila sector in the Maldives.

"The government, as well as private parties, will have stakes in the bank, and some foreign investors have already expressed their interest," he said.

"The bank's operations are set to begin sometime in July," Minister Saeed said. The development bank will provide funds for both government and private sector projects.

The government is giving special priority to further expanding the Maldives financial sector, he added.

While a development bank is being established, the government is planning to enact a law to set up international financial centers to expand and increase opportunities within the country's financial sector.

Both parties signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to officiate the awarding of the projects during a special ceremony held at Meerumaa Hotel in the capital city of Malé. On behalf of the Maldivian government, the agreement was signed by Minister for Economic Development and Trade Mohamed Saeed, while IFZA was represented by the company's Chairman Martin Pedersen.

Under the Economic Gateway project, areas dedicated to industrial, financial and tourism purposes are to be developed as well as an a residential area in the atoll. In total, 2,500 hectares of land in the area will be reclaimed under the project. While this project is scheduled to be concluded in multiple phases, the Funadhoo project will conclude in a single phase.

Speaking on the occasion, Chairman of IFZA Martin Pedersen said that with this project, Maldives would have access to the company's global connection, experience and technical expertise. He also added that this project will revolutionize the Maldivian economy and emphasized that it will be made possible through establishing world-class infrastructure. He detailed that the project entails building conference centers, hotels, and real estate.

Minister Saeed also made remarks during the event, highlighting that Velana International Airport (VIA) and Malé would be connected by the end of the Funadhoo project, which is scheduled to commence this year. He explained that with the MoUs signed now, the next step would be to set up a detailed plan for the projects.

"For example operating the port, logistics.. there are a lot of businesses there. The parties that run each of those businesses may be different. [We will] go into those details during the project," he said.

Minister Saeed further highlighted that IFZA's interest in the project was noted during the Dubai Investment Forum, and that the company has the capability to take on such projects. Underscoring the many successful projects the company has undertaken in Dubai, Minister Saeed expressed confidence that their success would extend to the Maldives.

"We are working with countries to change the mandate that the Maldives has received. To bring a development. The President's vision is for business owners to participate without hesitation," said the Minister.

Large scale investments with a minimum investment value of USD 100 million are considered under the SEZ umbrella.

IFZA is well established in Dubai as a company that offers services related to company formation, corporate training and banking assistance, health insurance coverage, commercial real estate and office design. Although based in the Gulf, the company currently runs projects in China, Germany, Switzerland and Seychelles.

“The focus needs to be on eating well, eating a variety of foods, and foods that support bone and heart health,” says Dr Claire Phipps, GP and advanced menopause specialist. Think about a Mediterranean style of eating, with lots of oily fish, wholegrain, pulses, fruit and veg, good fats (avocado, olive oil, for example), nuts and seeds, protein and dairy (calcium is vital for supporting bone density). Good health at this stage of life really is best achieved through diet rather than supplements – “our body uses it much better”. That said, Phipps would recommend taking a vitamin D supplement, maybe magnesium, as “it can be helpful for insomnia”.

While we need good fats (think avocado, nuts, seeds) – as opposed to saturated and trans fats found in processed and fried foods – to make certain hormones, we also need them to nourish our gut microbiome. “That’s really important in menopause,” says Phipps. With all the challenges women are facing, “if the gut isn’t functioning as well, then it’s not going to make you feel any better”. Fermented foods, such as kimchi and sauerkraut, can help here because they contain probiotic live bacteria (as does live yoghurt). Chef Jane Baxter, co-author alongside Dr Federica Amati of Recipes for a Better Menopause, suggests doubling down by adding kefir and chopped sauerkraut to a breakfast pancake batter, or blending kefir with garlic, lemon zest and chopped herbs (tarragon, parsley, chives) to marinate meat (“It has an amazing effect on chicken”). Sauerkraut, meanwhile, works a dream with braised veg, or any egg and toast combo, while kimchi would be very at home in a seafood soup. “You can also use kombucha instead of tonic with gin,” laughs Baxter, “but I didn’t really say that.”

Eat to the beet: the super foods and villains to avoid

It’s worth harnessing herbs and spices, too. “They’re a really good way to increase diversity in our diet as well as enhance the microbiome,” says Joanna Lyall, nutritional therapist and founder of The Better Menopause. Add cinnamon to breakfasts and smoothies, as it can help to lower blood glucose levels, while turmeric is “a lovely anti-inflammatory spice”, and chilli “can be good for boosting metabolism”. Fresh ginger, Amati notes, “helps with symptoms of heartburn and nausea”, plus it will pep up salad dressings. Baxter suggests whisking it with chopped pickled ginger, honey, rice vinegar, mirin, soy sauce and garlic, to drizzle over cooked quinoa, puy lentils, buckwheat, veg (broccoli, french beans, squash), nuts and herbs. “Quinoa and lentils are a great way to boost protein,” says Lyall. Protein, when combined with exercise, is particularly important during menopause, as lean muscle mass reduces.

“In Japan, women report fewer hot flushes and night sweats, and there’s some evidence that foods rich in phytoestrogens [a plant compound which mimics some of the functions of oestrogen] can be really helpful,” says Phipps. Soya products, such as tofu, are a good source, so try switching up your morning eggs with a scramble of tofu and greens. Another good way to start the day is oats, which Lyall would soak overnight with chia seeds for additional protein and essential fats. Then, get creative with toppings: “Blueberries or chopped banana, perhaps some granola (homemade if you can), a handful of nuts and seeds, some peanut butter – it can still feel indulgent.”

When it comes to vegetables, Lyall looks to rainbow colours to get “that diversity of nutrients, antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals”. Soups and salads are a good place to mix things up – and get in an extra handful of spinach or kale. Come spring, we’re in the territory of asparagus, courgettes, broad beans, and peas (frozen are fine), so Baxter would be inclined to combine them in a minestrone alongside herbs (fresh basil and mint), but soups are also an opportunity to use lentils, which contain fibre, protein, and iron.

"If you want the chocolate or the cake, don’t guilt trip yourself – just try and do 80% good, 20% bad"

Dr Claire Phipps

For salad days, pile roast carrots on to bean puree and finish with a carrot-top pesto (use good olive oil and get some nuts in there, too), alternatively Baxter “loves beetroot with oranges and caraway seeds”. This would also go nicely with oily fish (mackerel, perhaps) and some yoghurt. “From a heart health point of view, you need to be thinking about omega-3, so you want at least one serving of oily fish every week,” adds Nigel Denby, dietician and founder of Harley Street at Home, offering perimenopause and menopause support through workshops and clinics.

Certain foods, however, can exacerbate symptoms for some women. For example, the enzyme that processes alcohol reduces as we get older, so if you’re struggling with sleep, hot flushes and night sweats, Denby suggests laying off the booze. Caffeine, a stimulant, isn’t conducive to a good night’s sleep either, so Denby recommends avoiding caffeinated drinks after 3pm. Sweeteners in fizzy drinks can “make your bladder more irritable and make you want to pass water more frequently,” adds Phipps, which is already a common symptom of menopause. Added sugars in confectionery can cause fluctuating blood sugars. “This won’t be helpful for anxiety, which is also experienced by a lot of women at this time,” notes Denby.

In addition, the reduction in oestrogen causes the metabolism to slow down, making weight gain more likely. “As a result, lots of women start doing crazy diets, fasting, and cutting out food groups, which is not beneficial,” says Phipps. It’s important to remember, food and cooking can be a form of self-care. “That’s a really big part of menopausal symptom relief,” adds Phipps. “We eat for joy as well as for nourishment.” Sure, we want to be cutting out ultra-processed foods as much as possible (but that’s true for any stage of life), but don’t restrict yourself. “If you want the chocolate or the cake, don’t guilt trip yourself,” says Phipps. “Just try and do 80% good, 20% bad.”

~Anna Berrill~

Recognise that accepting your body matters

“Your body is the longest friendship that you will ever have and it is important to take care of that relationship,” says Tasha Bailey, a therapist based in south-east London and author of the book Real Talk. Body confidence is a common cause of concern for her clients, “especially among women and non-binary people”, she says, and people are increasingly thinking about cosmetic procedures because they have become so normalised.

Know that we live in a difficult moment for body image

“Over the past 15 years, beauty ideals have changed a lot: with AI, photo-editing and filters, they are more unrealistic than ever,” says Phillippa Diedrichs, professor of psychology at the Centre for Appearance Research at the University of the West of England in Bristol, and author of the forthcoming The Body Confidence Book for teenagers. “We have so many opportunities to compare ourselves online, and now we can create images of ourselves that try to replicate them. I think this shines a light on very human tendencies that have always been there, but unfortunately social media and selfie culture magnifies them.”

Consider how social media makes you feel about yourself

The rise of social media has been a massive factor in self-esteem issues in recent years, explains Thomas Midgley (who set up The Body Image Treatment Clinic in London, UK, in 2019), after working with people with eating disorders in the NHS for many years. “During the pandemic, some of our younger clients increased their social media use from one hour a day to five or six,” Midgley says. “Many of them use this time to follow the curated lives of influencers. This involves watching them do photoshoots on the beach in swimwear or working out in athleisure gear, before focusing on what they eat and drink to maintain their physique, with a solid dose of product placement along the way. The people who are watching are desperate to be like these individuals, creating a huge sense of inadequacy and obsessiveness around body image.”

Quitting apps may not be the solution

Midgley uses cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) and compassion-focused therapy, which involves “not telling anybody what to do or what not to do”. Instead, he helps clients to “build the capacity to step back from situations and understand how they have become vulnerable to this process … Most people realise they are being pulled in by these clickbait feelings, of being excited and desiring something. If they can consider, ‘Why am I doing this? Why am I following this person? How is it nourishing me, or is it damaging?’, then they are more likely to bring a sceptical eye to what they are doing and be able to step out of these cycles and act differently going forwards.”

Consciously curate your feeds

Diedrichs suggests reframing social media as a space we can consciously curate. “Do an experiment over a week. When you use social media, think about how certain types of posts or accounts make you feel. Are you inspired and uplifted? Or are you feeling like you are not good enough? Is there a rise in anxiety or discomfort in your body? If you notice that you are feeling envious, try muting or unfollowing content that makes you uncomfortable, and find new accounts that inspire you. Then observe how that makes you feel over the next week. If you notice a positive shift, consider taking time to cull and curate your feed every few months. If you don’t notice a difference, it might be time to take breaks from social media,” she says.

Seek out different body shapes

“Diversify your social media feed,” says Bailey. “Make sure you are following black bodies, brown bodies, disabled bodies, trans bodies – the full spectrum of ways that bodies can look. When we view adverts and social media, a lot of the time we see one particular type of body” [that is not the same as ours]. It is important to be in a space where your body is celebrated.”

Try talking to a therapist

In England, this should be accessible through a GP or via NHS talking therapies – albeit with a long wait – says Midgley. “The strongest evidence base for treatment of diagnosed conditions associated with body image is through CBT, whether that is for body dysmorphic disorder, eating disorders, or other symptoms that generate body-image-based issues. What this means is talking to a therapist to understand the thoughts, emotions and behaviours that are maintaining a particular issue, then testing beliefs and fears though behavioural experiments and behavioural change strategies to bring about positive changes in real-world settings.”

Look at how beauty ideals change over time

“Talk to older people and ask them what trends were popular when they were younger,” says Diedrichs. “You’ll realise that aspirations were very different even 10 years ago, and will therefore likely change in the future. Having those conversations makes you realise how transient such ideals are, and that feeling pressure to match them is a rigged game and a never-ending and unfulfilling cycle.”

Make peace with your body

Bailey suggests taking time to regularly scan your body mindfully, focusing “not on what your body looks like, but how you feel in your body. Notice which areas you tend to judge, be it your stomach, thighs, arms or whatever. Apologise for that judgment and thank that part of your body instead for the other things that it does for you. Creating a new narrative around those parts of the body is really helpful.” She also suggests drawing parts of the body you need to make peace with. “This will allow you to see that part of your body in a different light. And to actually appreciate it and spend time looking at it with kindness and compassion rather than with scrutiny.”

Let your body surprise you

Kevin Braddock is a therapist and fitness instructor who runs The Soma Space, in Oswestry, Shropshire. “Our premise is ‘movement for mental health’, using exercise as a way to assist people,” he explains. Visitors to the studio “surprise themselves, especially with Boxercise and weightlifting, which may appear to be frightening things to do. I think this is where body confidence can come from: if you are led into that process gently, you might discover that you can lift 50kg, or do continuous punching for a minute, which is not easy. On the whole, gym culture still sells this idea of six-packs and weight loss, which can be so shaming. But physical movement is in itself very positive: it has mood benefits through releasing endorphins, and it makes people feel strong and more in possession of their body.”

Look in the mirror and find things you like about yourself

When we are looking in the mirror, we are often checking whether our appearance looks “right”, says Diedrichs. There is “a natural tendency to focus on the parts of our bodies that we don’t like or that we think need correcting. So the mirror becomes a space that we associate with negative judgments about the way we look. Research has shown that it is beneficial to take a moment to stand in front of the mirror, where you can see your whole body, in as little clothing as you feel comfortable with. Then either say out loud or in your head five things that you like about the physical qualities of your body and five things you like about you as a person that have nothing to do with the way that you look, like emotional, social and intellectual qualities. Repeat this several times a week over a month. At first it might feel awkward, but over time it will start to reframe the way you view your body, into a positive or more neutral way.”

Or avoid mirrors entirely

“We have no mirrors at The Soma Space,” says Braddock. Otherwise “you’re always comparing yourself to a mirror image. If we’re constantly looking in the mirror, then we’re not really looking internally at ourselves.”

Accept that bodies adapt as we age

“When we get older,” says Diedrichs, “we often change in ways that move us away from what society tells us is the ideal way to look.” But “it is important to practise appreciation for our body as it is carrying us through life and is a vessel for our adventures and experiences. It might feel uncomfortable or unwell at times, we’ll have aches and pains, but its many functions are complex, wonderful and worthy of gratitude.”

Don’t make a change to your body without serious thought

Bailey asks clients considering cosmetic surgery: “How happy are you going to be once this procedure is finished?” It isn’t a decision to be taken lightly, she says, despite the fact it is now so commonplace. “It is really important to unpack what the reasons are behind it, what satisfaction it is going to bring, and will there be another thing that they will focus on next?”

Move in a way that brings you joy

“Whether it’s dancing, walking or swimming, do things that make you feel energised and proud of the body that you’re in, rather than focusing on the need to change it,” says Bailey. When you are taking part in such activities, make sure you are surrounded by people with similar bodies to you, she adds. Bailey loves dance but found most classes attracted a particular type of body shape, so she found a plus-size dance class. “The feeling I had from going to these classes was so different, because I felt my body was celebrated,” she says.

Approach dieting cautiously

We need to “think about what toxic narratives we might have around dieting and unpack them before we even step into it”, Bailey advises. “Be clear about what is the actual goal, but also be compassionate with that goal. What can make dieting really difficult is when we’re very inflexible, or harsh on ourselves when things don’t go to plan. There needs to be a sense of flexibility; there needs to be reflection. And we also need to be able to forgive ourselves for mistakes, or when we’re not losing as much weight as we want to.”

Face your fears around wearing a swimsuit

“What is something that you’ve stopped yourself from doing in summer because you’re worried about the way you look?” asks Diedrichs. “When we avoid it, the more difficult and anxiety-provoking it becomes. Set yourself a challenge to do the thing you worry about, and see what happens. Is it as bad as you imagined? Does anybody even notice? Often we fear judgment, but what happens is that most people are too busy focusing on themselves. Instead of worrying, try to focus on the sensations of your body: how does it feel to have the sun on your skin; to be paddling in the water? How does it feel to be enjoying quality time with your friends or family? Really ground yourself in those sensations and the experience as a whole, rather than worrying about the way that you look.”

Be aware when exercise or food are taking over

“People with conditions such as anxiety and depression can be very hard on themselves,” says Braddock. “I used to compete in triathlons and got obsessed and spreadsheety about the whole thing. After a while, I thought: ‘Hang on a minute, this is meant to be fun.’ If you feel knackered and tired, and like you are failing all the time, that I would say would be the benchmark for knowing you are overdoing it.”

Midgley adds: “If somebody is taking themselves to the gym when they are no longer enjoying working out, or going when they are injured, and it becomes a need and not a want, then alarm bells should be going off. The same goes with food, if it is taking over and dominating thoughts, and someone is obsessing over calories, or has to plan everything they eat to the point it impacts their ability to socialise. Calorie-counting apps have been one of the big challenges I’ve seen in the treatment of eating disorders over the last 20 years as they drive obsessiveness and compulsions around eating, shape and weight.”

Access all the help available

Midgley suggests: “Go to your GP and find out the help that is available there. A charity called Been There offers people support in relation to body image, or the charity Beat has advice on eating disorders. The Dove Self-Esteem Project is a good resource too.”

Bailey says: “The I Weigh podcast by Jameela Jamil is compassionate and straight-talking when it comes to healing and body confidence. I’d also recommend trying out group therapy options or body confidence workshops as a cheaper alternative to therapy.”

Dopamine dressing can give you a boost

For a quick body confidence boost, wear clothes that give you a lift, says Bailey. “Being experimental with your wardrobe can be fun, whether you’re showing skin or not. Dopamine dressing is about wearing colours and textures that instantly make you feel good. Tapping into this can be a great way to boost your moodand more...”

~Sarah Phillips~

Sixteen islands will be reclaimed from the lagoon under this project and MFMC has contracted the reclamation and revetment construction of these islands to the Maldivian company, Atoll Works Private Limited today.

The Corporation stated that 14 private islands and two luxury resorts will be developed under this agreement. An additional 40 hectares is also set to be reclaimed from Gaafaru within this project.

This wide-scale project that will reclaim a total of 106.91 hectares of land marks the first instance where such a large number of islands are reclaimed in a single lagoon in Kaafu atoll at once.

The reclamation and revetment affixation is estimated to cost an expenditure of USD 36 million with 3 million cubic meters of sand deemed to be required for the reclamation. Employing a rate of USD 7.8 per cubic meter, MFMC revealed that a total amount of USD 29,232,774 (MVR  450,769,375) will predictably be expended on the reclamation.

The company stated that this number is a significantly lower amount in comparison to other reclamation projects currently ensuing across the country.

The system determined to remunerate the contractor is through the contractor-financing approach wherein the contractor will proceed reclamation without an advance payment and collect income through long-term lease of the islands following its completion.

The State had assigned the Gaafaru lagoon to MFMC in order to develop the region within an Integrated Tourism Development concept. While the conceptual master plan for the lagoon's development has now concluded, this is the first ever project initiated by the Maldivian government that will develop private islands under an Integrated Tourism Development concept and contract them for long-term lease.

Atoll Works Private Limited is a company owned by Big Fish Maldives Private Limited who specialises in the processing and  distribution of Maldivian tuna, exporting to markets in the EU, USA, and Southeast Asia.

The newly found company Atoll Works was registered just on February 11, 2024, whose Board Members include Ahmed Latheef (MD of Big Fish and son of late Mohamed Latheef [Gogo Latheef]), Shafin Ahmed (CEO of Big Fish), Ali Khaleel (Operations Manager of Big Fish).

The land reclamation for Makunudhoo Airport, worth over MVR 246 Million was handed over to Big Fish on June 22, 2023. The outsourced projectis being carried out by K.S.R, an Indian contractor.

The conflict between India and Maldives began in January this year goes beyond three political activists, who are now state officials, making disrespectful remarks against PM Modi.

Maldives foreign minister Moosa Zameer, during his first official visit to India, clarified on Thursday that the Mohamed Muizzu government did not support the derogatory comments made by some of the Maldivian ministers against Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He added that the remarks did not represent the government's stance and that “proper action” was taken to prevent such incidents in the future.

“I think if you have seen as you said, we have said that it's not the stand of the government or we believe that it shouldn't have been done. We are taking proper action to make sure that this doesn’t get repeated. There has been a misunderstanding, in social media. The governments of Maldives and India understand what has happened and we have passed that stage now.” Minister Zameer said to ANI.

Shortly after when three Deputy Ministers made disrespectful remarks against PM Modi, the Ministers Mariyam Shiuna, Mahzoom Majid, and Malsha Shareef were suspended indefinitely. Wonder why Indian News find the fact that the three continue to receive their salaries beguiling and Minister Zameer's statements predominated by artifice?

Mutual interest, reciprocal sensitivity basis of ties: Jaishankar tells Maldives

Zameer is the first Maldivian state official to visit New Delhi after President Mohamed Muizzu took steps to move the Indian Ocean archipelago closer to China and reduce its dependence on India in areas ranging from food security to defence cooperation.

His visit also coincided with a deadline set by Muizzu for withdrawing of more than 80 Indian military personnel who were stationed in the Maldives to operate two helicopters and an aircraft mainly used for medical evacuations and humanitarian operations. India has already pulled out 51 personnel in two batches in March and April, yet replacing them with personnel without uniform, as "civilian experts".

“As close and proximate neighbours, the development of our ties is obviously based on mutual interests and reciprocal sensitivity,” Jaishankar pointedly said in his opening remarks at the meeting with Zameer. Indian External affairs minister S Jaishankar was not seemingly seen smiling though!

“As far as India is concerned, these are articulated in terms of our Neighbourhood First policy and SAGAR [Security and Growth for All in the Region] vision,” he said, adding he hoped the meeting would enable the two sides to “strengthen the convergence of our perspectives in various domains”.

“We have also extended financial support on favourable terms in the past,” Jaishankar said, in a tacit reference to debt traps created by Chinese projects undertaken through the Belt and Road Initiative.

“India has been a first responder on numerous occasions for the Maldives... ", noting that the world is passing through a volatile and uncertain period, Jaishankar said: “In such times, as we saw during Covid, during natural disasters and economic difficulties, close partnerships with neighbours are of great value.”

The foreign ministry of Maldives said both sides discussed ways to “forge opportunities for future collaboration in government priority areas”. They also acknowledged the “notable progress of projects facilitated through Indian grant assistance and line of credit initiatives” and the dialogue underscored a “partnership built on mutual trusts, shared interests and values”.

Minister Zameer said The dialogue underscored a “partnership built on mutual trusts, shared interests and values”.

He also said "last eight months... we are going through election cycles, so there has been much said... so I think we will move beyond that phase pretty soon". 

Researchers said the landmark study, which is about to get under way, was “the biggest, most exciting trial in prostate cancer screening and diagnosis” for more than two decades.

The mass trial will mix and match different methods of spotting the disease early, including high speed scans and gene tests, in order to establish which combination is most successful.

Scientists said the findings could pave the way for national screening strategies while providing a “treasure trove” of information to help fast-track treatment.

Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men. Men (in the UK) who are diagnosed with prostate cancer, 23% dies from the disease, annually.

However, there is no screening programme, amid concern that existing tests are too unreliable, and would result in too many men undergoing needless treatment with harmful side effects.

The £42 million project, involving Imperial College London, University College London, Queen Mary University of London and the Institute of Cancer Research, will recruit more than 300,000 men aged 45 and over to test new methods.

New approaches may be ‘twice as effective’

Researchers said the new approaches had the potential to be twice as effective as screening methods that had previously been tested, with estimates they could reduce prostate cancer deaths by up to 40 per cent.

Scientists said the Transform trial, funded by Prostate Cancer UK, was a “game changer” because it would allow them to test so many combinations of factors, including genetic markers.

The first phase will involve about 12,500 men, who will be randomised to receive different combinations of Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) blood tests, high-speed MRI scans (known as a Prostagram) and different types of genetic testing.

The trial’s second stage, involving up to 300,000 men, will test the most promising options from stage one of the trial, with patients tracked for at least a decade.

‘By far the biggest, most exciting trial’

Professor Hashim Ahmed, chair of urology at Imperial College London said: “This is by far the biggest, most exciting trial in prostate cancer screening and diagnosis in over 20 years.

“By evaluating fast MRI scans, PSA testing and genetics, we’ll finally be able to prove which is the best of the bunch when it comes to diagnosis. We will also see if they perform better in combination.

“By creating flexibility in the way we’ve designed the trial, we can incorporate promising new tests as they’re developed, future-proofing the study and making sure we design the best possible potential screening programme.”

Professor Ros Eeles, professor of oncogenetics at The Institute of Cancer Research, London and honorary consultant at The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, said the results could allow medics to identify the men most at risk of aggressive cancer, in need of regular checks.

She said: “We have already identified over 400 genetic variants that are inherited and are associated with a risk of prostate cancer in diverse populations.

“Transform is a game changer because it will allow us to rigorously test genetic markers on a large scale in men from diverse ancestries. This could give us the information we need to use genetic risk scores to identify men at risk of aggressive cancer who will need regular tests, while sparing men at low-risk unnecessary biopsies and treatments.”

Earlier methods ‘very blunt’

Professor Mark Emberton, dean of UCL Faculty of Medical Sciences, said previous attempts at early detection of prostate cancer had used “very blunt” tools.

He said the combination of new advances, incorporating MRI, would allow scientists to establish which combination of tests worked best at identifying men with cancers that would impact on their quantity and quality of life if left untreated.

Currently, men over the age of 50, or 45 for black men, can request a prostate-specific antigen test.

Raised levels indicate an increased risk, and can lead to further tests, but are notoriously unreliable.

Around one in seven men with normal PSA levels will have prostate cancer that gets missed, while raised levels can result in action being taken to treat slow-growing cancer that would never have caused harm.

Dr Matthew Hobbs, director of research at Prostate Cancer UK, commissioned the screening trial, said: “Prostate cancer is the most common cancer without a screening programme and it’s about time we changed that.

“We know that earlier diagnosis saves lives, but previous trials haven’t been able to prove that enough men would be saved using PSA tests alone, while they did show that these old screening methods caused significant unnecessary harm to men. We must now prove that there are better ways to find aggressive prostate cancer that will save even more lives while causing less harm.

“That’s why I’m so delighted and proud to announce Transform. This is the research that will get us there.”

He said: “This could save thousands of men’s lives every year in the UK alone. But it won’t just be the UK – this trial could change practice globally – so we’re into tens of thousands of men saved each year.”

Researchers have worked with the UK National Screening Committee – which decides which programmes should be rolled out – the National Institute for Health and Care Research on the design of the trial, in the hope that findings can “revolutionise” prostate cancer diagnosis, the charity said.

Professor Rhian Gabe, professor of Biostatistics and Clinical Trials at Queen Mary University of London, said: “The UK has led the way in developing cancer screening programmes through rigorous, robust research. However, despite it being the second most common cause of cancer death in UK men, there still isn’t a screening programme for prostate cancer.

“Transform is an exciting opportunity to evaluate promising and innovative screening strategies for the early detection of prostate cancer on a national scale, with the ultimate aim of preventing deaths from prostate cancer.”

This was confirmed by RACL's Chairman Ahmed Nasif while speaking on a SanguTV program; he highlighted majority of these airports were developed utilizing the minimum requirements for such an establishment.

He stated that the runways in some of these airports measured only between 800 to 900 meters, and would be economically detrimental if the runways and subsequently the airport cannot be expanded in 20 to 30 years time.

He noted the current government's aviation policy includes stretching the airports to accommodate Dash-8 class carriers as a minimum requirement.

Nasif further stressed that the development of an airport alone is not beneficial unless the area consists of economically profitable businesses and ventures. While pointing out to domestic airports with seldom flights, the RACL Chairman stressed on the importance of government policies on developing these areas to ensure economic viability.

"We need to think into the broader future, since this is an investment for the public. If we consider investing, then there should be commercial viability in it," Nasif added.

He highlighted the need to develop tourist properties nearby the airports with seldom flights, adding if the tourism development is expanded as such, these areas will become economically beneficial in two years time; pointing out to the consequences of developing the airports, if the affiliated policies are not implemented thoroughly, he said; though, expressed faith the government was utilizing state funds responsibly.

The current administration's decision on developing more domestic airports has since drawn criticism.

However, Nasif opined that an airport should exist allowing for transportation between the atolls under 20 to 30 minutes. He also stressed the creation of job opportunities and the development of tourism activities due to the airports.

President Dr. Muizzu had earlier announced the decision to establish airports in Sh. Dhiguveli, Sh. Milandhoo, and HA. Dhidhdhdhoo.

Besides this, an international airport in GA. Vilingili is in the pipeline, for which the state has already signed the MoU with the contractor.

Although parliament sittings are scheduled to start at 09:00 hrs every morning, today's live feed started much later. Once the live began, Speaker Mohamed Aslam stated that some MPs remained outside the parliament hall.

Hence, the Speaker announced that the meeting would commence at 10:00 hrs today and announced an intermission.

Once the live feed began again, Aslam said that there still were not enough members to meet the minimum required quorum, but that they would try to meet the quorum for one more hour before cancelling the day's sitting.

However, even at 11:00 hrs, the quorum had not been met. Aslam stated that only ten members of parliament were in attendance at the time.

"I have tried repeatedly. The quorum bell has been rung after eleven, and now five minutes have passed. So I intend to bring this sitting to an end," Aslam said.

While today's sitting has been cancelled, the current 19th People's Majlis will be holding its final sitting on coming Monday.

With all of this in mind, I set out to make an effort to forgive in a healthy way and quit walking around with the weight of all those grudges.

1. Understand It’s a Process

There isn’t some magical way to come to forgiveness overnight. Letting go of the grudges you have will come gradually, so be patient with yourself. And ask that others also be patient with you.

Often times you’re the only person that knows you’re still carrying these feelings around, but if someone is actively seeking your forgiveness, don’t feel pressured to say you’ve gotten there when you’re still stewing.

This is often how grudges form. We don’t allow ourselves enough time and we expect too much of ourselves and others.

When my husband and I argued awhile back, it took him some time to deal with it and forgive me. Thankfully I’d recognized what was going on and didn’t push him, like I had in the past; we all need space and time to process and move on.

2. Acknowledge Your Hurt

For me, this is the most difficult part. Dwelling in my feelings of sadness, betrayal and anger is not something I enjoy. Frankly, I’m a bit scared of doing it. Emotions often cloud my logic, making it impossible to have a rational conversation. But knowing how you feel can help you in your quest toward letting go.

My sister and I were estranged for some time, and for a while I would just make jokes about it, not really delving into the fact that I was hurt and needed comfort. Once I sat down, had a good cry and wrote about it, things started moving on their own. She texted me, and I responded. If I hadn’t dealt with the hurt and sadness I felt, I wouldn’t have known how to act when she contacted me. It would have been a missed opportunity, but because I knew how I felt, I could respond with a sense of confidence, which ultimately helped me to move forward.

Honoring how we feel is an important first step in learning to forgive and let go. By allowing ourselves to feel our emotions, each one is allowed to pass through us instead of getting stuck somewhere because we’re afraid or unable to bear expressing it.

3. Try Not to Take It Personally

This might sound callous or downright mean, but letting go of a grudge comes a lot easier when you realize that what happened—what was said or done—has much more to do with the person saying or doing those things than you.

I remind myself of that when I get upset about that disagreement I had with my friend. You know the one that’s more than a year old? It helps calm me down immensely when I tell myself, This has nothing to do with me; she’s got her own issues to work out too. That’s what is going on.

Remembering that we’ve all got our own problems, and that most of the time people aren’t maliciously out to hurt us, can help take the sharp edges off our anger and make it easier to let go.

4. Say the Words Out Loud

You might feel a little silly doing this, but it can be really therapeutic to hear yourself say “I forgive my friend for… ” and say what you’re forgiving and explain why. Say it to yourself out loud, so your brain can hear you.

I did this with my friend because all of our correspondence was through email. I really felt like it all played out in my head. Once I heard the words spoken, my brain seemed a lot more at peace about it. I didn’t feel that same fire flare up in me every time I thought about the situation.

Forgiveness requires action on our part, so saying the words is important to completing the process. You’ll find that letting go comes easier when you’re acting the part.

5. Shift Thoughts to the Positive

A lot of the reason we hold grudges is because we focus on the negative events that occurred. Even after we’ve said we’ve gotten over it, we still fixate on that one phrase she said or that time he left without saying goodbye. What helps in this situation is to find the silver lining.

For me, I used to think about how my sister judged my spiritual choices, but now I know I can’t really do anything about that. Since I’ve chosen to move past it, when those thoughts come up, I just remind myself about how now I can see my nieces and nephews grow up.

Sometimes the only thing that’s positive about moving past a situation is that you’re in a better place, physically, spiritually or mentally. So be it. Focus on that.

Think about how much more energy you have now that you don’t deal with that nightmare boss every day or how you’ve found more time to meditate or exercise now that you quit spending time with that manipulative friend. When you train yourself to see the positive side of a certain event or situation, you focus less on the past. Slowly the hurt and pain fade because you don’t stir up those negative emotions every time the memory appears.

6. Remember When Someone Forgave You

We know we’re not perfect beings. We can be hurt, but we can hurt others as well. Acknowledging this will take the possible self-righteous edge off our anger and bring us back down to reality.

When I realized how many times my friend had forgiven me for making stupid mistakes or saying careless things, I was almost ashamed it took me so long to forgive her for one disagreement. In fact, when I struggle to let go, I often look to her as an example of compassion and forgiveness.

Remembering the kindness we’ve been extended can help soften our hearts toward others and help us release our grudges. Forgiving and letting go isn’t something you do for another person—it’s something you do for yourself. It offers you freedom, so embrace it in a healthy way.

~ Rebecca Watson ~

Doctors have long known that when people lose their temper they are at far greater risk of heart problems until they calm down.

But until now, it was unclear what was causing the effect.

To find out, researchers asked 280 adults to recall a personal memory that made them either angry, anxious or depressed. A control group was asked to count to 100 to induce an emotionally neutral state.

The team found that when participants became angry after remembering past experiences, the function of cells lining the blood vessels was negatively impaired for 40 minutes, an effect which is likely to restrict blood flow.

In contrast, anxiety and sadness did not trigger the same change in the functioning of the blood vessel lining.

“Impaired vascular function is linked to an increased risk of heart attack and stroke,” said Dr Daichi Shimbo, professor of medicine at the Columbia University Irving Medical Center in New York City.

“We saw that evoking an angered state led to blood vessel dysfunction, though we don’t yet understand what may cause these changes. “Investigation into the underlying links between anger and blood vessel dysfunction may help identify effective intervention targets for people at increased risk of cardiovascular events.”

Blood vessels are not just tubes but have an inner lining which controls how relaxed or constricted the vessels are. Anger causes a release of the stress hormones adrenaline and cortisol and raises blood pressure, but the mechanism behind the effect has been unclear.

READ: 6 Ways to Let Go of Anger

The worst natural calamity to ever hit the state of Rio Grande do Sul has claimed at least 95 lives, with 372 people reported injured and 131 still missing, according to the civil defence force that handles disaster relief.

“The tolls continue to rise and unfortunately we anticipate that they are still very inaccurate because the emergency is continuing to develop,” said Governor Eduardo Leite.

Nearly 400 municipalities have been hit, including state capital Porto Alegre, with more than 160,000 people forced to leave their homes after record-breaking rainfall transformed the streets into rivers.

Porto Alegre is home to some 1.4 million people and the larger metropolitan area has more than double that number.

The state’s Guaiba River, which runs through Porto Alegre, remained at historic high levels on Tuesday, and officials said five dams were at risk of rupturing.

For tens of thousands of people stranded by impassable roads, collapsed bridges and flooded homes in Rio Grande do Sul, “the most urgent demand is (drinking) water,” said Sabrina Ribas, a civil defence official.

Helicopters buzzed overhead, delivering water and food to communities most in need, while work continued on restoring road access.

In Alvorada, a municipality east of Porto Alegre, people queued with buckets and plastic bottles, collecting drinking water from the few working taps. Most shops have run out of bottled water. Only two of Porto Alegre’s six water treatment plants were functioning, the mayor’s office said, with hospitals and shelters being supplied by tankers.

The Brazilian Navy said it would send its “Atlantic” vessel - Latin America’s largest - to Rio Grande do Sul on Wednesday with two mobile water treatment stations.

President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva said emergency funds would be freed up to tackle the crisis, vowing there would be “no lack of resources to meet the needs of Rio Grande do Sul.”

Some 15,000 soldiers, firefighters, police and volunteers were hard at work in planes, boats and even jet skis to rescue those trapped or transport aid.

Brazil’s neighbours, Uruguay and Argentina, have sent rescue equipment and trained personnel.

According to weather agency MetSul, the flooding has “changed the map of the metropolitan region” of Porto Alegre.

Once registered for the service, businesses can make bulk payments in MVR and USD automatically to multiple BML accounts. Speaking about the new service, the Bank’s Corporate Banking Director, Ahmed Aseef said, “We are pleased to move away from the manual process to an automated service for businesses that process multiple transfers. With this change, Internet Banking allows bulk payments of multiple types, flags duplicate records and checks payment status of individual payments to offer a much more seamless process.”

“Digitalization is a key pillar in our strategy and with diligent focus on making banking better, we remain committed to delivering fast, relevant, and easy experiences for our customers. We have been the Bank to bring in many firsts to the country and we will continue to work with innovation partners to introduce cutting edge technology solutions to our customers.”

Businesses registered to Internet Banking can submit a request with supporting documents to register for this free service.

As of now, the Maldivian government holds 50.80 percent of the shares. 33.73 percent of the remaining shares is held by the public, 4.07 percent by MTCC, 7.33 percent by the Government Employee Pension Fund, and 4.07 percent by Citizen's Account Program.

The representatives were appointed to 6 countries and 3 organisations.

• Mohamed Hussain Shareef as Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates (UAE). 
  Shareef previously served in a ministerial capacity and later as the Ambassador to Japan during the administration of former President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Qayyoom.
  
  
• Iruthisham Adam as High Commissioner to the United Kingdom. 
  She is a former Youth Minister and Health Minister. As a diplomat, she has served in key posts in London, New York, Germany, Italy, Turkey, Switzerland and in the United Nations.
  
  
• Dr Fazeel Najeeb as Ambassador to China. 
  He is the former Governor of the central bank, Maldives Monetary Authority (MMA), and also contested in the most recent Parliamentary Elections for the South Fuvahmulah seat.
  
  
• Dr Ali Naseer Mohamed as Permanent Representative to the United Nations (PMNY). 
  Dr Mohamed has served in the same role previously as well. His service in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs began when he joined the Ministry in May of 1985, and has worked in many capacities such as Ambassador to the United States and High Commissioner to Canada. He also served as Secretary, Multilateral at the Ministry until he left the Service in September 2022 and was later appointed as Ambassador at Large in November 2023.
  
  
• Geela Ali as Ambassador to the Kingdom of Belgium and to the European Union. 
  She is a seasoned diplomat and has also served as the Permanent Secretary at Ministry of Health.
  
  
• Dr Mariyam Shabeena Ahmed as High Commissioner to Malaysia. 
  Prior to this, she worked as a Senior Scientific Officer at Maldives Food and Drug Authority.
  
  
• Masood Imad as High Commissioner to Sri Lanka. 
  He served as Press Secretary during former President Dr Mohamed Waheed's administration.
  
  
• Dr Salma Rasheed as Permanent Representative to the United Nations Office in Geneva. 
  She is sister to Asma Rasheed, MP elect for Central Maafannu constituency. She is also the aunt of Mohamed Hussain Shareef, who is appointed as Head of Mission to the UAE.
• Mohamed Luveiz as High Commissioner to Singapore. 
  Luveiz’s past experiences include his time as Minister of State for Economic Relations and as member at the Economic and Youth Council during the government of former President Yameen. He also worked on the council of Maldives National University (MNU).

Speaking during an interview given to the Indian newspaper, Press Trust of India (PTI) amid the Arabian Travel Market (ATM) fair currently ongoing in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE), Minister Faisal stated that Maldives promotes safety and peace first and foremost in the tourism industry and that therefore, Indian tourists are also ensured safety in the country.

He asserted that while India is a country with an extensive population, it is also a very valuable market to Maldivian tourism.

India – the country that produced the most number of tourist arrivals to Maldives last year is presently ranked sixth in the list. While 44,000 tourists arrived Maldives for their vacation from India this year, this figure is 5.5 percent of the total tourist arrivals.

Presently, the largest number of tourists visiting Maldives come from China with 87,000 Chinese tourists choosing Maldives as their vacation destination. While the tourist arrival rate currently stands at eight hundred thousand, the government aims to generate 2 million tourist arrivals into the country this year.

Following Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Lakshadweep, an archipelago close to the Maldives in the Indian Ocean, on January 2 and 3, 2024 and sharing a few photos of the picturesque atolls on X, the disparaging and abusive remarks by some of Maldivian Ministers; (namely Malsha Shareef, Mariyam Shiuna and Abdulla Mahzoom Majid), took fire on social media; to which the Maldivian foreign ministry said that "the government was aware of derogatory remarks".

The said deputy ministers are on suspension since January 7, with full pay! 

The World Travel Awards (WTA) were held within the Arabian Travel Market (ATM).

At the event, Maldives won four awards in the Indian Oceans category:

• Leading Destination
• Leading Honeymoon Destination
• Leading Green Destination
• Leading Dive Destination

Established in 1993, WTA is the leading award ceremony in the industry.

Minister of Tourism Ibrahim Faisal, Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC) Board's Chairperson Aisha Nurain Janah, MMPRC CEO Fathimath Thaufeeq and Advisor to the President on Tourism Development Mohamed Khaleel attended the event and accepted the awards earned by the Maldives.

MMPRC states that the Middle Eastern market is key for Maldives' tourism. As of March this year, 13,974 tourists from the Middle East  visited the Maldives.

Noteworthy it is, to recognise the vital role of the previous administration and management of MMPRC in promoting the Maldives as world's leading tourism destination for which the ex-President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih extended his gratitude to the (then) staff for their invaluable contributions to the tourism sector.

The Maldives was named the ‘World’s Leading Destination’ for the third consecutive year at the World Travel Awards (WTA) 2022, while MMPRC claimed the title of ‘World’s Leading Tourism Board’—a first for the Maldives. The awards were unveiled on November 11, 2022, at the WTA Grand Final Gala Ceremony 2022 in Muscat, Oman.

The loans will be mortgage-free, enabling customers to access loans of up to MVR 1 million for home construction and renovation anywhere in the country.

BML will be charging an interest of nine percent for the Home Building loans, with a repayment period set at 15 years. Home Equity loans will have a repayment period of 20 years with a 10 percent interest rate.

The Home Equity loans are specifically aimed at its home loans and financing customers. These customers, who are required to have taken out loans above MVR 50,000, will be eligible for loan amounts determined by the payments made on their existing loans.

BML's Director of Retail and SME Banking, Moosa Nimal said that these loans were introduced to help customers build their homes with ease. He added that while no mortgage is required for these loans, customers would also be able to build and renovate their homes at the best market rates as well.

Key Features

• Borrow from MVR 50,000 up to MVR 1 million to build or renovate homes
• Minimum 25% equity contribution
• Interest rate 9% p.a.
• Apply jointly with others. At least one borrower should have a legal connection to the property
• Repay over 15 years and enjoy a flexible grace period of up to 12 months
• No additional security required

Eligibility

To apply for this loan, you should:

• Be a Maldivian aged between 18 to 60 years
• Generate adequate income to fulfill the loan repayments (income from the proposed project's rent will not be factored in)
• Income must be routed to BML account for past 12 months
• Income from all sources such as salary, business income, rental income will be considered
• Repayment of all existing credit facilities should be satisfactory for the past 12 months

Applicable Fees

• Application Fee: MVR 1,000 (Non-refundable)
• Processing Fee: 1.5% of loan amount

The operation, inaugrated yesterday, at K. Himmafushi, led by the Ministry of Homeland Security and Technology, Maldives Immigration, and the Maldives Police Service, aims to identify undocumented immigrants, reintegrate them into the system, and regularise their status.

There will be no foreigners with unconfirmed information by the end of their image and fingerprint collection and subsequent legalization process, said Minister of Homeland Security and Technology Ali Ihusan.

Speaking with press after commencing the ‘Kuran’gi’, Minister Ihusaan said the goal is to only have foreigners with verified information in the country by the end of the campaign.

Minister Ihusan confirmed thorough background and preparatory works of the operation, prior to official commencement, were made in the last five months. The operation also serves the purpose of identifying root cause of illegal migrants' influx to the Maldives, and present a permanent fix to the issue.

The operation, which is expected to span three years, will initially focus on identifying undocumented immigrants and reintegrating them into the system. This phase is planned to be completed within a year.

Ihusaan underscored the issue of migrant workers being employed by an individual or company other than their sponsor. “Numerous individuals [immigrants] are engaging in this practice persistently. The societal implications of these actions are substantial. The risk posed to the state is also significant,” he said.

A similar campaign was also run by former President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih’s administration in 2019. With the aim of tackling the overwhelming number of undocumented migrants in the country, more than 40,000 migrants were registered in that project.

Reflecting on this previous experience, Minister Ihsan said that foreigners living in local islands faced many issues getting themselves registered, as the registration process was taking place in the capital, Malé.

To resolve this, arrangements have been made for photographing and fingerprint collection to be made from local island councils. If the islands are classified as resorts or industrial islands, members of the campaign’s taskforce will travel to the islands.

However, Ihusaan emphasised that the operation’s primary focus is not to arrest and deport immigrants but to identify them and their activities. He also stated that the authorities would facilitate undocumented immigrants seeking new sponsors and regularising within the system.

The minister also acknowledged the demand for unskilled labour in the Maldives, which he expects to increase with the launch of the government’s infrastructure development projects. He added that the authorities would create a list of immigrants working on each island and provide that list to the respective local councils.

From here on in, updating the information of foreigners living in the islands are made easy even for island councils, as the database will be shared with them as well, said the Minister.

The MDP-led administration had also suspended the issuance of work permits for unskilled labour from Bangladesh, as part of a comprehensive strategy to combat illegal immigration. However, this policy decision has been reversed by the current administration.

The previous government also initiated a programme to secure legal status for undocumented workers. The legislative cap on the number of migrant workers from a single country, who are permitted to enter and work in the country at any given time, stands at 100,000.

There has been concerns by the opposition and general public accusing the current government for classifying or restricting, or rather destroying the said previous register of undocumented immigrant workers.

Abdulla Didi, who was dismissed from his position as a Judge by the decision of Judicial Service Commission (JSC) following evidence connecting him to a large bribery case, was appointed to the position of legal counsel at a State Ministerial standard.

While he has been appointed to this position, the bribery case against him remains unclosed at the Prosecutor General's office even at present.

A media official of the office shared that a case against Abdulla Didi connected to the Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC) bribery case remains lodged and deliberations are ongoing on whether charges will be enforced.

Investigation into the cases filed against Abdulla Didi at the JSC was begun shortly after the former President, Abdulla Yameen's tenure concluded. Abdulla Didi had also served as Chief Judge at High Court. He was hired at the Supreme Court after two vacancies opened up on the judges' bench following the controversial February 1 verdict by the court mandating the release of imprisoned political leaders during the final year of Yameen's administration.

JSC had submitted an appeal to the parliament to dismiss Abdulla Didi with serious allegation against him. With 72 (out of 87) votes in favor of his dismissal, Didi was dismissed from his position at the JSC, marking this the first instance of a Supreme Court judge laid off by the power of parliament.

He departed to Malaysia soon after police investigations were commenced into his case and remained there until recently. He has returned to the country following the administration change.

The weightiest accusation against Abdulla Didi is that of accepting bribery distributed by the individuals implicated in the case of USD 90 million theft from MMPRC in exchange for altering the verdict. He had denied these allegations, insisting that he had never once committed any criminal activity.

Heena Waleed would continue to serve as the CEO of the National Social Protection Agency (NSPA) while undertaking the Chief Spokesperson's position's responsibilities at the President's Office and would not be offered additional remuneration.

She previously served as a political director at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and worked in the media industry for more than a fewer years. Heena Waleed also previously held a few high-ranking positions in the state media, including Head of News at Public Service Media (PSM).

She attained higher studies in mass communication, journalism, and advertisement.

Sources say that there are over two thousand qualified professionals with higher education and experience in political and media industry in the country!

Rossoblu striker Gianluca Lapadula had used his arm to control the ball directly in the buildup.

It may not have been a deliberate action by the 34-year-old former AC Milan striker. But it was still a blatant control of the ball with the arm.

That is what the Inter players thought immediately after the goal – they appealed to the referee for handball to be given.

But the officials decided against doing so.

In truth, though, refereeing controversy hardly dominated the match. Inter coach Simone Inzaghi had little intention of focusing on the incident after the match.

Inter Suffer Refereeing Error Vs Cagliari – But Can Only Blame Themselves For Complacent Attitude

Perhaps Inter were unfortunate that they didn’t get the decision on Cagliari’s second goal.

But in reality, Tuttosport, the Nerazzurri should not have ever allowed themselves to be in a position where refereeing could go against them in that manner.

Inter had scored early on, through striker Marcus Thuram.

However, the Nerazzurri never quite built on that early momentum.

Cagliari stayed in the match, particularly after a tactical switch and substitution by coach Claudio Ranieri not too long after Inter’s goal.

The Rossoblu deservedly got an equalizer in the second half, with Inter having been seemingly trying to slow the match down and see out the result right from the start of the half.

Then, Inter got a second goal to go ahead. This was a Hakan Calhanoglu penalty.

Once again, however, the Nerazzurri looked a bit too casual. It was Cagliari rather than they who had the ruthless edge.

Iran sent the salvo of missiles in response to a drone strike at the beginning of April in Syria that killed 12 Iranians, including two top generals. 

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said via state media: 'The aerospace unit of the Revolutionary Guards has attacked targets in Israel with dozens of drones and missiles in reaction to the Zionist regime's crimes, including the attack on the consulate section of Iran's embassy in Damascus and martyring our commanders and military advisers in Syria.'

Missiles have begun to enter Israeli airspace, with video shared with MailOnline showing them being intercepted by the Iron Dome system above Jerusalem, forcing citizens to run to shelters across the city. Sources on the ground said that alarms have still not been raised in Tel Aviv, Israel's most populous city. 

Iran claims to have dealt 'heavy blows' to an airbase in Negev, though the IDF said only minor damage was caused. The IDF added that the vast majority of the missiles and drones have been shot down.

Iranian media reported that while Tehran's barrage of ballistic missiles has concluded, the drones and cruise missiles are yet to enter Israeli airspace. Iran has vowed to take further 'defensive measures' if Israel chooses to respond to the salvo. 

Yemen-based Houthis have also claimed to have shot 'dozens' of rockets towards an IDF base in the north-east of Israel. it is not currently known if the Houthi attacks are linked to Iran's salvo. 

The UK, among Israel's closest allies, and other nations have reportedly begun to support Israel by sending fighter jets to shoot down the drones and missiles. US officials added that their military also intercepted drones and missiles heading to Israel. 

• Britain has sent jets to support Israel as it is attacked by Iran
• The US is sending a naval task force with over 2,500 marines
• But many of Iran's Middle East allies, including Qatar and Kuwait,  are rallying around it

The IDF's spokesperson, Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari, said that the Iranian attack was 'a severe and dangerous escalation' in tensions, adding: 'Our defensive and offensive capabilities are at the highest level of readiness ahead of this large-scale attack from Iran.'

The IDF said: 'The air defense array is on high alert at the same time as the Air Force planes and Navy ships that are on a mission to protect the country's skies. The IDF is monitoring all targets.

Iran's mission to the UN wrote on X: 'Conducted on the strength of Article 51 of the UN Charter pertaining to legitimate defense, Iran's military action was in response to the Zionist regime's aggression against our diplomatic premises in Damascus. 

'The matter can be deemed concluded. However, should the Israeli regime make another mistake, Iran's response will be considerably more severe. It is a conflict between Iran and the rogue Israeli regime, from which the U.S. MUST STAY AWAY!'

Iran's foreign ministry, meanwhile, said in statement to local media: 'Iran, if necessary, will not hesitate to take further defensive measures to safeguard its legitimate interests against any military aggressions and unlawful use of force while reaffirming its commitment to the principles of the United Nations Charter and international law.'

Israel is expected to launch a counterattack against Iran. Former IDF captain Caroline Glick told MailOnline: '[Iran's] overthrow is the key to the restoration of regional stability. Just last week, when a regime authority called for a moment of silence in memory of the Iranian terror masters Israel killed in Damascus two weeks ago, the crowd instead began calling for the overthrow of the regime.' 

US President Joe Biden, third from right, meets with members of the National Security team regarding the unfolding missile attacks on Israel from Iran

Tonight, Iran launched a terrifying assault against Israel by sending some 100 drones following the bombing of one of its embassies in Syria earlier this week in what has been described as a 'dangerous escalation' of conflict in the region.

And as the mayhem began, British and American warplanes reportedly shot down Iranian drones over the Iraq-Syria border area, Israel's top-rated Channel 12 TV reported early on Sunday without citing sources.

A spokesperson for the Ministry of Defence told MailOnline: 'In response to increased Iranian threats and the growing risk of escalation in the Middle East, the UK Government has been working with partners across the region to encourage de-escalation and prevent further attacks.

'We have moved several additional Royal Air Force jets and air refuelling tankers to the region. In addition, these UK jets will intercept any airborne attacks within range of our existing missions, as required.

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak condemned the attack on Saturday

"We will continue to cooperate closely with our regional partners in the interest of de-escalation."

It comes as Rishi Sunak tonight condemned 'in the strongest terms' Iran's 'reckless attack' against Israel - and said Tehran was now intent on 'sowing chaos in its own backyard'.

In a statement on Saturday night, Mr Sunak said: 'I condemn in the strongest terms the Iranian regime's reckless attack against Israel. These strikes risk inflaming tensions and destabilising the region.

'Iran has once again demonstrated that it is intent on sowing chaos in its own backyard.

'Alongside our allies, we are urgently working to stabilise the situation and prevent further escalation. No-one wants to see more bloodshed.

'The UK will continue to stand up for Israel's security and that of all our regional partners, including Jordan and Iraq.'

The PM's comment comes as after Iran  launched more than 100 drones and missiles to attack Israel - which are set to hit within hours.

British Foreign Secretary David Cameron said: 'Iran's reckless attacks on Israel will only further inflame tensions in the Middle East. The UK calls on the Iranian regime to stop this serious escalation, which is in no one’s interest.'

Dozens of drones were seen flying from Iran over neighbouring Iraq's Sulaymaniya province, according to three security sources. Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said via state media that it had 'launched extensive drone strikes against targets in occupied territories.'

The IRGC added via state media: 'The aerospace unit of the Revolutionary Guards has attacked targets in Israel with dozens of drones and missiles in reaction to the Zionist regime's crimes, including the attack on the consulate section of Iran's embassy in Damascus and martyring our commanders and military advisers in Syria.'

It added that it was ordered to launch the drones and missiles by Iran's Supreme National Security Council, and was under the guidance of the General Staff of the Armed forces, which coordinated military activity.  

Israel said tonight that its airspace was shutting down at 12.30am local time. Iraq also announced it was shutting down its airspace and suspending all air traffic on Saturday from 11:30pm local time to 5:30am tomorrow. 

Iranian media reported that a second wave of drones has been launched, though details of where they currently are aren't yet known. It is not known if a second wave of cruise missile has been launched. 

The IDF's spokesperson, Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari, said it would take several hours for the drones to arrive in Israel, adding that sirens would be sounded in threatened areas. 

He said that the Iranian attack was a 'a severe and dangerous escalation' in tensions, adding: 'Our defensive and offensive capabilities are at the highest level of readiness ahead of this large-scale attack from Iran.'

The IDF said: 'The air defense array is on high alert at the same time as the Air Force planes and Navy ships that are on a mission to protect the country's skies. The IDF is monitoring all targets.

'We ask the public to adhere to and follow the instructions of the Home Front Command and the official IDF announcements regarding the matter.'

Details about the drones have not been officially confirmed, but a retired IDF general told Israeli media that the Iranian drones had the capacity to carry up to 44lbs (20kg) of explosives each.

Surrounding countries appear to have begun preparations for an escalation in hostilities. 

Jordan, Israel's eastern neighbour, temporarily closed its airspace to all incoming, departing and internal flights. The nation's air defence system is also ready to intercept and shoot down any drones or aircraft that violate its airspace, security sources said. 

The Jordanian army is also on a state of high alert, and radar systems are monitoring drone activity. 

Syria is also on high alert, setting up its ground-to-air defence systems around the capital Damascus and major bases in the event of an Israeli strike, army sources said. 

Sources told Reuters they expected Israel would retaliate against army bases and installations where pro-Iranian militia were based after Iran's elite Revolutionary Guards said they launched dozens of drones and missiles against specific targets in Israel.

Lebanon, which lies to Israel's north, is also closing its airspace at 1am local time. 

The rest of the world has begun to react to Iran's strikes. 

Iran has launched at least 100 drones and missiles to attack Israel that are set to hit within hours, after Israel announced it was closing all schools amid fears of an upcoming attack from the rogue state. 

Dozens of drones were seen flying from Iran over neighbouring Iraq's Sulaymaniya province, according to three security sources. Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said via state media that it had 'launched extensive drone strikes against targets in occupied territories.'

The IRGC added via state media: 'The aerospace unit of the Revolutionary Guards has attacked targets in Israel with dozens of drones and missiles in reaction to the Zionist regime’s crimes, including the attack on the consulate section of Iran’s embassy in Damascus and martyring our commanders and military advisers in Syria.'

It added that it was ordered to launch the drones and missiles by Iran's Supreme National Security Council, and was under the guidance of the General Staff of the Armed forces, which coordinated military activity.  

Israel said tonight that its airspace was shutting down at 12:30am local time. Iraq also announced it was shutting down its airspace and suspending all air traffic on Saturday from 11:30pm local time to 5:30am tomorrow. 

Iranian media reported that a second wave of drones has been launched, though details of where they currently are aren't yet known. It is not known if a second wave of cruise missile has been launched. 

The IDF's spokesperson, Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari, said it would take several hours for the drones to arrive in Israel, adding that sirens would be sounded in threatened areas. 

He said that the Iranian attack was a 'a severe and dangerous escalation' in tensions, adding: 'Our defensive and offensive capabilities are at the highest level of readiness ahead of this large-scale attack from Iran.'

The IDF said: 'The air defense array is on high alert at the same time as the Air Force planes and Navy ships that are on a mission to protect the country’s skies. The IDF is monitoring all targets.

'We ask the public to adhere to and follow the instructions of the Home Front Command and the official IDF announcements regarding the matter.'

Details about the drones have not been officially confirmed, but a retired IDF general told Israeli media that the Iranian drones had the capacity to carry up to 44lbs (20kg) of explosives each.

Surrounding countries appear to have begun preparations for an escalation in hostilities. 

Jordan, Israel's eastern neighbour, temporarily closed its airspace to all incoming, departing and internal flights. The nation's air defence system is also ready to intercept and shoot down any drones or aircraft that violate its airspace, security sources said. 

The Jordanian army is also on a state of high alert, and radar systems are monitoring drone activity. 

Syria is also on high alert, setting up its ground-to-air defence systems around the capital Damascus and major bases in the event of an Israeli strike, army sources said. 

Sources told Reuters they expected Israel would retaliate against army bases and installations where pro-Iranian militia were based after Iran's elite Revolutionary Guards said they launched dozens of drones and missiles against specific targets in Israel.

It was reported today that Iran has more than 100 cruise missiles ready to be launched as part of an 'imminent' strike against Israel in retaliation for an airstrike against Iran's embassy in Damascus, Syria.

Announcing increased security measures in Israel during a televised briefing, chief military spokesperson Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari said dozens of combat planes were airborne as part of the state of readiness. 

Starting from 11pm tonight, the strict measures, which include the ban of all 'educational activities' across the country, the restriction of working in offices without 'standard protected spaces' and limits on the number of people at gatherings', will be implemented. 

Educational activities have been banned across the country, while restrictions on working have been put in place on areas directly next to the Gaza Strip, and other areas in the Gaza Envelope. 

Israelis living on the areas next to the Gaza Strip have been banned from meeting outside in groups of more than 30, and are allowed to meet up to 300 people inside buildings. Beaches in the Gaza Envelope have also been closed to the public. 

Hagari said in the televised address that the directive will be reassessed at 6am local time, and urged Israelis to remain vigilant and to head to bomb shelters if they hear warnings.

Tensions between Iran and Israel have been massively escalating after the IDF killed 12 people, including two top military figures, in an airstrike against Iran's embassy in Syria's capital, Damascus, on April 1. 

More to follow.

Iran has reportedly readied more than 100 cruise missiles as part of an 'imminent' strike on Israel after the US moved more forces into the Middle East over fears an attack could spark a full-scale war. 

Military officials briefed on the matter told both ABC News and CNN that the US has observed Iran readying at least 100 cruise missiles, indicating they could be ready to attack.

ABC also reported that a large number of drones that could be used in an attack on Israel have also been readied by the nation. 

Pentagon officials said the US would beef up its presence in the region and the USS Dwight Eisenhower would be sent into the Red Sea in a warning to Tehran. 

Iran has publicly threatened to hit back at Israel over an attack in Syria last week, which Tehran say was an Israeli airstrike on a Iranian diplomatic building in Damascus. 

Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei vowed retribution in the wake of the Damascus attack, for which Tel-Aviv has yet to take responsibility.

The USS Dwight Eisenhower would be able to intercept missiles and drones fired by Iran.

President Biden said on Friday that he expected Iran to attack Israel 'sooner than later' and that his message to Tehran was 'don't'. 

'We are devoted to the defense of Israel. We will support Israel and help defend Israel and Iran will not succeed,' Biden said. 

Asked how imminent an attack on Israel may be, Biden said he didn't want to get into classified information but 'my expectation is sooner than later.' 

Former President Trump called Biden 'pretty pathetic' and claimed that had he been in office Iran wouldn't be attacking Israel. 

Trump said: 'For the president of our country to actually put out a warning that he thinks that we're going to be attacked or they're going to be attacked. That's pretty pathetic.'

'They wouldn't be attacking Israel if I were president, that I can tell you,' he continued. 'And they never did.' 

Israel was widely blamed for an April 1 attack that destroyed Iran's consulate building in Damascus and killed seven Revolutionary Guards, including the two generals.

The strike levelled a five-storey building adjacent to the Iranian embassy in Damascus. 

General Mohammad Reza Zahedi was one of those who died in the attack, having held a succession of commands in the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps' foreign operations arm, the Quds Force.

Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, warned Wednesday that Israel 'must be punished and will be punished', days after one of his advisers said Israeli embassies are 'no longer safe'.

Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz swiftly replied on social media site X that 'if Iran attacks from its territory, Israel will respond and attack Iran'.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed to respond with force to any assault by Iran, leaving tensions in the Middle East on a knife-edge. 

Defense officials on Friday said they are moving 'additional assets to the area', hours after the U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem locked down it's staff. 

The USS Dwight Eisenhower would be able to intercept missiles and drones fired by Iran.

The White House on Friday wouldn't go as far as to say that an attack was 'imminent,' instead calling the threat 'viable.' 

"We still deem the potential threat by Iran here to be real, to be viable, certainly credible and we're watching it as closely as we can,"  White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby told reporters Friday. 

Kirby added that the U.S. was in 'constant communication with our Israeli counterparts about making sure that they can defend themselves against those kind of attacks.' 

He added that 'force posture changes' had been made to ensure the US is 'properly prepared' for any Iranian assault, but declined to go into detail.

The NSC spokesperson gave no details on the potential timing of such an attack, amid warnings it could happen within the next 48 hours.

'I really don't want to get into armchair quarterbacking this thing in a public way in terms of the conversations we're having or what we're seeing in the intelligence picture,' Kirby said.  

On Thursday, the U.S. embassy in Jerusalem did not explicitly mention Iran but issued a warning to government workers. 

'Out of an abundance of caution, U.S. government employees and their family members are restricted from personal travel outside the greater Tel Aviv, … Jerusalem, and Be'er Sheva areas until further notice,' the security alert read. 

Iran enjoys a heavy advantage in terms of sheer manpower, boasting a collective active and reserve military of roughly 1.2 million troops as well as thousands upon thousands of artillery systems.

Israel meanwhile has around 750,000 active and military personnel at its disposal - but hundreds of thousands of these are already engaged in operations in and around Gaza, while others maintain a presence in the north to ward off border attacks from Hezbollah in Lebanon. 

Though Israel is outnumbered, it is by no means outgunned - the IDF boasts more than 3,000 tanks in its ranks, roughly double the number thought to be in service in Iran. 

The Washington Post reported Thursday that senior Pentagon officials were frustrated that the U.S. did not get a heads up from Israel before conducting an airstrike on the Iranian site.

Three unnamed U.S. officials told the paper said Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and other senior defense officials believed Israel should have informed the Pentagon ahead of the attack because of the strike's implications for U.S. servicemembers in the region. 

Had the U.S. gotten a heads up, the Pentagon would have been able to heighten defense capabilities in order to withstand Iranian retaliation, the sources said. 

If Israel and Iran to engage in an all-out war, the consequences could be devastating.

Professor Gerald Steinberg, an expert in conflict management and founder of Jerusalem-based NGO Monitor, said a potential war between Iran and Israel would be both futile and devastating.

'They are on the verge of a confrontation similar to the October 1962 Cuban missile crisis between Washington and Moscow. Both countries can do massive damage to the other, but neither can "win",' he said.

In lands where innocence should thrive,
But echoes of sorrow pierce the sky,
Children's laughter silenced by fear,
Their dreams crushed, their cries unclear.

Toys lay abandoned, joy long fled,
In a world where innocence bled,
Women's tears soak the earth below,
Their silent screams lost in woe.

What cruel fate labels this a "war"?
When innocence is what it tore,
Tiny hearts crushed by the weight,
Of a conflict born of hate.

We watch in anguish, helpless and small,
As innocence crumbles, victims fall,
In the shadows of despair they roam,
Their shattered dreams left to atone.

Yet still we stand, burdened by grief,
Hoping for solace, seeking relief,
But the darkness lingers, heavy and cold,
As tragedy's tale continues to unfold.

In this bleak landscape, hope is rare,
As we witness innocence stripped bare,
May our tears mingle with theirs,
As we mourn the loss, the unfair.

For every child, every soul,
Caught in the grip of this cruel toll,
Deserves a chance to see the light,
But darkness reigns, a never-ending night.

~ by Y.A ~

According to data released by HPA, 45.7 percent of children aged 13 to 15 years use various tobacco products. Among them, 45 percent of children are male, while 43.2 percent are female.

The Global Youth Tobacco Survey conducted in 2019, revealed that 23.1 percent of boys and 10.7 percent of girls aged 13 to 15 years used electronic cigarettes. The survey also revealed that electronic cigarettes were used by 17.1 percent of all children in the same age group. Additionally, 3.1 percent of children reported using shisha, and among them, 14.9 percent started began using shisha at the age of 10.

According to the survey, 25.7 percent of the Maldivian population uses tobacco products, which accounts for approximately 1 in every 4 people. The majority of tobacco users are men, with a percentage of 35.6 percent, while females users are make up 7.6 percent.

Tobacco usage by age group

● 15 – 29 years: 20.1 percent

● 30 – 44 years: 29 percent

● 45 – 65 years: 23.4 percent

With the increase in the use of tobacco in Maldives, there is growing concern about the impact on secondhand smokers. According to the data, 27.1 percent of secondhand smokers reported being affected because someone in their household is a smoker. Additionally, 10.4 percent of secondhand smokers stated that they were impacted by smoking in their workplace.

Statistics provided by the Maldives Customs Service reveals that tobacco products worth USD 25,646,223 (MVR 393,652,853) were imported into the Maldives between January 2022 and the end of April 2023. Cigarettes and bidis made up the majority of these imports while electronic cigarettes ranked as the second most imported product.

These figures highlight the significant amount of tobacco products being brought into the Maldives and underline the need for continued efforts in tobacco control and prevention.

~The Edition~

Several issues can be directly linked to existing system of quota-based expatriate employment. Basic economics of this system leads to sub-human treatment of expatriate workers. For example, businesses are required to provide housing for the expatriates in their employment which is usually take form as space in an ill ventilated, unhygienic and unsanitary room. This is an understandable outcome as every business will opt for cost effectiveness to remain competitive in the market and to make a profit.

^{Sleeping quarters for expatriate workers, a typical situation}

Secondly, the rapid changes in government policy and criteria for issuing quota create unfair advantage for some businesses and interferes with market competitiveness. Few years back a construction business could get a general quota but now quota is issued only to construction projects with one or more years of duration. Those businesses with general quota have the unfair advantage of having labour at their disposal, cheap or otherwise.

Evidently there is a severe shortage of manpower creating economic opportunity for migrant workers. The number of illegal expatriates in the country is a strong indicator that this is the case. Since this is an economic issue, current legislation and policy on employment should be reformulated with economics in the mix. Any new policy should be drawn up to include the following:

1. Establish a process to identify the manpower and skills needed for the economy at regular intervals (i.e. annual).
2. Create and maintain a manpower pool by issuing work visas to migrant workers and creating adequate and affordable housing facilities. Restrictions and conditions (such as sufficient deposit and time limit) on the incoming migrant workers.
3. Enforce terms of employment (including pay and allowances) equally on local and migrant employees.

^{Potential cheap housing for expatriate workers at Gulhifalhu Island}

A key change in a new legislation should be elimination of the existing quota-based system and establishment of a competitive labour market. A competitive labour market will ensure equal opportunity for all businesses and remove any unfair advantages. It will encourage new ideas and innovation while discouraging exploitation of employees (delaying salary payment and forced overtime). A competitive labour market will also discourage spontaneous and impulsive business startups which will avoid waste of economic resources and unwanted market saturation.

^{Chart showing composition of Maldives Workforce in 2019}

An important social benefit of a competitive labour market will be that the local workforce will not have to compete with expatriates on wages. Market forces will ensure that wages remain competitive at par with local standards.

The socio-economic issues arising from current system of expatriate employment have existed for at least two decades, sustained by corruption and self-greed of a few. Hopefully change will be sooner rather than later.