News

Biden meets with Ukrainian President Zelensky to discuss security challenges and bilateral ties

Published

3 years ago

03/09/2021

In his first meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, U.S. President Joe Biden discussed security challenges and bilateral ties.

Biden stated at the start of their discussion in the Oval Office, “the United States remains strongly committed to Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity in the face of Russian aggression, as well as our support for Ukraine’s Euro-Atlantic aspirations.”

Biden pledged an additional $60 million in security aid to Ukraine, as well as the establishment of a new strategic defense framework and an energy and climate conversation.

In his remarks, Zelensky stated that he planned to discuss the security situation in Crimea and the Donbas region of eastern Ukraine, the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline project, and “Ukraine’s possibilities of joining NATO.”

Crimea was annexed by Russia in March 2014, following a popular referendum that Ukraine and the West refused to recognize.

The ongoing fighting in eastern Ukraine, which began in April 2014, has taken about 14,000 lives and injured up to 40,000 people. Kiev accused Moscow of instigating the crisis. Russia, on the other hand, has refuted the allegations, claiming that they are without merit.

According to a joint statement issued by the United States and Ukraine, the $60 million security package comprised of Javelin anti-armor systems as well as “other defensive deadly and non-lethal capabilities.”

The statement also addressed the United States’ support for Ukraine’s reform and anti-corruption strategy, economic cooperation, and pandemic response.

The meeting between the two presidents was supposed to take place on Monday, but it was postponed because the Biden administration was focused on the pullout from Afghanistan.

On Tuesday, Zelensky met separately with Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin.

The visit came at a time when Kiev was growing increasingly concerned about its relations with Washington.

In an interview with The Washington Post and other media outlets prior to the visit, Zelensky highlighted his unhappiness with Western friends’ reluctance to approve Ukraine’s NATO membership.

Zelensky has criticized the United States for lowering its resistance to the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline, which will bring Russian gas to Germany. Ukraine regards the initiative as a security risk.

In spite of the long-standing opposition, the Biden administration achieved an agreement with Germany that permitted the pipeline project to be completed. Berlin pledged to assist Ukraine in strengthening its energy industry and to take action against Russia if it weaponizes energy.

Source: Xinhua News Agency

News

Judgment in Yameen’s appeal slated for tomorrow

Published

11 hours ago

17/04/2024

High Court has scheduled the judgment in the appeal filed by former president Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayyoom of his money laundering and bribery conviction in connection to the sale of V. Aarah for tourism development for Thursday.

The judgment will be delivered in the afternoon – however, no time has been specified on the High Court’s website.

Yameen, who served as Maldivian leader from 2013-2018, was sentenced to 11 years in prison for money laundering and bribery charges in connection to the sale of V. Aarah on December 26, 2022.

He was transferred from Maafushi Prison to his home in Male’ City on October 1, the day after President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu, backed by Yameen, won the presidential election runoff. The then-president-elect had appealed for Yameen’s release to home from then-president Ibrahim Mohamed Solih.

Short of a week into President Muizzu’s administration, Yameen left PPM, and initiated efforts to form a new party – the People’s National Front (PNF).

Maldives Correctional Service later eased the terms of his home confinement, to allow him to leave the house for exercise and other such purposes.

Yameen has repeatedly violated the terms of his home confinement by attending political events despite which no action has been taken against him by Corrections.

National Integrity Commission is presently investigating Corrections failure to take action against Yameen.

Freeing Yameen has been one of President Muizzu’s main electoral pledges. He has strongly criticized President Muizzu and his administration for his continued home confinement.

President Muizzu has recently remarked that he remains true to his pledge. Affirming he does not influence the judiciary, the President said Yameen’s independence remains in the hands of the judiciary.

Source(s): sun.mv

News

FDC’s head says additional MVR 454.5m needed to complete flats

Published

11 hours ago

17/04/2024

Hamdhan Shakeel, the managing director of Fahi Dhiriulhun Corporation (FDC), said on Wednesday that the state corporation needs an additional injection of MVR 454.5 million to complete work on the 4,000 social housing units being developed in Hulhumale’ Phase II.

In a post on X on Wednesday morning, Hamdhan said the scope of the project decided by former president Ibrahim Mohamed Solih’s administration does not include key services and facilities.

According to Hamdhan, this includes the connection of the towers to the power grid, security systems, GPON network to enable internet and other media connection for the towers and tenants, waste disposal systems, and landscaping works.

“An additional injection of MVR 454.5 million is required for the completion of this additional works left out by the previous government,” he said.

Hamdhan said the FDC is working with the incumbent administration to secure financing for the additional works.

He also highlighted on the difference in the speed of the project under the two administrations.

According to Hamdhan, a total of 216 slabs were casted over a period 22 months under the previous administration, while a total 192 slabs were casted during the past four months.

“Through optimization of the construction schedule and facilitation of resources and other services, we have increased the average rate of construction from 10 slabs per month to 48 slabs on average per month,” he said.

The 4,000 housing units are the first flats built under the ‘Gedhoruveriya’ housing scheme launched by Solih’s administration.

The units come in two types; two-bedroom apartments and three-bedroom apartments.

Source(s): sun.mv

News

MPS begins Operation Blue Tide 2024 for election security

Published

11 hours ago

17/04/2024

The Maldives Police Service (MPS) has announced the commencement of “Operation Blue Tide 2024” to safeguard security ahead of the upcoming parliamentary election.

The operation is a pivotal component of the commitment of MPS to ensuring security throughout the parliamentary election. MPS assured that police presence will be maintained across all Maldivian islands until the conclusion of the election, with a strategic system in place to allocate additional personnel where necessary. Police units have been dispersed across all regions.

As part of Operation Blue Tide, MPS disclosed that a team embarked for the southern atolls on March 16, while another set out for the northern atolls on March 17. Chief Superintendent of Police Abdulla Shareef has been designated as the operation’s commander, with Superintendent of Police Ahmed Muslim appointed as deputy commander.

Source(s): PsmNews