Author: hyvemedia

The Governments of the Maldives and Japan have signed an Exchange of Notes formalizing Japan’s provision of two harbour crafts to the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) Coast Guard, enhancing the country’s maritime security and operational capacity. The signing ceremony was held in Malé, with His Excellency Dr. Abdulla Khaleel, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Maldives, and Her Excellency Ishigami Rumiko, Ambassador of Japan to the Maldives, signing on behalf of their respective governments. The agreement is part of Japan’s Economic and Social Development Programme, with Japan committing assistance worth 400 million Japanese Yen (approximately USD 2.8 million). This…

The Maldives Monetary Authority (MMA) has officially launched the Maldives Islamic Social Finance Initiative (MISFI), a pioneering strategy aimed at integrating Islamic social finance into the national Islamic banking system. The initiative was formally unveiled by His Excellency President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu at a high-level event attended by key leaders from the financial sector and senior government officials. MISFI marks a significant milestone in the Maldives’ pursuit of inclusive finance, social justice, and sustainable development through Shariah-compliant mechanisms. Drawing inspiration from globally recognized models like Bank Islam Malaysia’s Sadaqa House, MISFI introduces a suite of Islamic social finance instruments—including Sadaqah,…

South Korea’s Democratic Party presidential candidate, Lee Jae-myung, has made cryptocurrency a cornerstone of his campaign platform, promising to legalize spot cryptocurrency exchange-traded funds (ETFs) and implement stronger investor protections if elected. With the June 3 election fast approaching, Lee is focusing on winning support from younger voters—many of whom are turning to digital assets in the face of high real estate prices and volatile stock markets. In a May 6 social media post, Lee emphasized the importance of helping young people “build assets and plan for the future,” outlining his plan to make crypto investment both safer and more…

In a sweeping update to its ecosystem, Microsoft has announced a host of new AI-driven features for Windows 11 and Copilot+ computers, alongside the debut of the Surface Pro 12 and Surface Laptop 13, Windows Central reports. At the heart of the update is an AI agent integrated directly into Windows 11. Designed to simplify user interaction with system settings, this intelligent assistant responds to natural language prompts. For instance, a user could say, “The mouse pointer is too small,” and the agent will not only locate the relevant setting but can also adjust it automatically upon request. The…

UNITED NATIONS – Secretary-General António Guterres has voiced deep concern over escalating military activity along the Line of Control and the international border between India and Pakistan, calling on both nations to exercise maximum restraint and avoid further provocation. In a statement released by his spokesperson on Tuesday, Guterres emphasized that “the world cannot afford a military confrontation between India and Pakistan,” amid rising tensions that he described as the highest in years. The appeal follows reports of intensified Indian military operations across contested areas in Jammu and Kashmir. Guterres reiterated that a military solution is not viable and reaffirmed…

On 28 April 2025, the World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Office for South-East Asia (SEARO), in collaboration with WHO Headquarters, convened a virtual planning meeting with focal points from WHO country offices that receive support through the Pandemic Influenza Preparedness (PIP) Partnership Contribution (PC) fund. The meeting aimed to align planning for the 2026–2027 biennium with key global priorities under the High-Level Implementation Plan III (HLIP III) for pandemic influenza preparedness. The session brought together representatives from ten PIP PC recipient countries in the region—Bangladesh, Bhutan, DPR Korea, India, Indonesia, Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Timor-Leste—as well as…

Ooredoo Maldives and the Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC) have officially signed a landmark partnership agreement to promote the Maldives as a leading global travel destination through Ooredoo’s international network. The agreement was signed by Khalid Al-Khamadi, CEO and Managing Director of Ooredoo Maldives, and Shiuree Ibrahim, CEO and Managing Director of MMPRC, at a ceremony held at Ooredoo Headquarters in Hulhumale’. The collaboration represents a significant move to expand the global footprint of the ‘Visit Maldives’ brand by leveraging Ooredoo Group’s vast international presence. Ooredoo, which operates in ten countries including the Maldives, has a customer base…

President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has extended formal congratulations to Joachim-Friedrich Martin Josef Merz on his election as Chancellor of Germany, reaffirming the Maldives’ commitment to its long-standing relationship with Berlin and expressing hope for expanded cooperation in the years ahead. In his message, President Muizzu underscored the historic friendship and close diplomatic ties between the two nations. “The Maldives values our close and friendly relations and looks forward to deepening bilateral cooperation and advancing shared global priorities during your tenure,” he stated, pointing to a future of enhanced collaboration under Merz’s leadership. Chancellor Merz, head of Germany’s conservative bloc, secured…

President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has announced his administration’s strategic vision to establish the Maldives as a key regional financial centre with a focus on Islamic Finance, powered by digital economic transformation. The announcement came during the official launch of the Maldives Islamic Social Finance Initiative held on Wednesday morning. Speaking at the event, President Muizzu said the initiative represents a vital step aligned with the upcoming National Financial Inclusion Strategy and underscores the administration’s commitment to sustainable national development. He highlighted that the Maldives’ national identity is deeply rooted in values such as compassion, justice, and social equity — core…

Los Angeles, CA — Hollywood has responded with skepticism and concern following former U.S. President Donald Trump’s unexpected announcement of a 100% tariff on all foreign-produced films, a policy many in the entertainment industry describe as ill-conceived and potentially disastrous. Trump made the announcement Sunday on his social platform, Truth Social, writing: “I am authorizing the Department of Commerce, and the United States Trade Representative, to immediately begin the process of instituting a 100% Tariff on any and all Movies coming into our Country that are produced in Foreign Lands… WE WANT MOVIES MADE IN AMERICA, AGAIN!” The statement sent…