MALDIVES PRESIDENT RESIGN AMID UNREST
Maldives President Mohamed Nasheed has resigned after weeks of demonstrations and a mutiny by some police officers. Vice-President Waheed Hassan was sworn in as president after Mr Nasheed quit.Mr Nasheed is being held against his will by security forces at the presidential palace in the capital, his brother told the BBC.Tensions escalated after the Maldives army arrested a senior judge last month, prompting bitter street protests in the Indian Ocean island chain.
"Security forces say they can't release him, he wants to come home," Mr Nasheed's brother, Ibrahim Nasheed, told the BBC, adding the security forces said there were concerns for his safety if he was released.Earlier, announcing his resignation on state television, Mr Nasheed said it would be "better for the country in the current situation" if he stood down.
A source close to the the country's first democratically elected president described Tuesday's developments as a "coup by the former regime". However, the army and the vice-president deny the claims.
Source: BBC...Read more...
RESTAURANT OWNER GOT INTO DEEP TROUBLE OVER CHRISTMAS DECORATION
MALE, Maldives - A special Christmas promotion aimed at foreigners at a Maldivian restaurant got the restaurant owners into deep trouble.Islam is the official religion in Maldives and constitutionally, there is only place for Sunni Muslims; practice of other religions is prohibited. Display of other religious symbols attracts police action. In this case, the restaurant was decorated for Christmas with items related to the celebration.
- This led to protests from religious groups such as the Adhaalath Party and the Islamic Foundation of the Maldives, which led to the arrest of one restaurant employee, the independent Maldivian newspaper Minivan News reported.
- “Some people gathered and protested against the decorations, because it was like celebrating Christmas,” police spokesman Ahmed Shiyam told AFP. Mr. Shiyam added one restaurant employee was taken in for questioning on Tuesday and later released. The offending streamers were quickly removed.
- The restaurant, Jade Bistro, located in front of the busy main street of Male, Boduthakurufaanu Magu, just fronting jetty Number 8, is popular for its selection of food from abroad and free wi-fi and, hence, like everything in Maldives, a trifle expensive. Jade is open throughout even during the afternoon prayers, says a review at a travel website, IgoUgo.
- Management at the Jade Bistro cafe have apologised to Maldivians that may have been offended by a “festive” lunch promotion offered over the Christmas period.
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