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U.S.-hosted Summit of Americas opens with absence of several key regional leaders

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Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, arguably the most important Latin American leader on the summit’s guest list, finally announced Monday morning that he would stay at home.

“There cannot be a Summit of the Americas if all countries of the Americas cannot attend,” Lopez Obrador said at his daily press conference in Mexico City. “This is to continue the old interventionist policies, lacking respect for nations and their people.”

The inaugural ceremony of the U.S.-hosted Summit of the Americas kicked off here on Wednesday, with a notable absence of several key regional leaders.

The official opening ceremony for the summit, running from Wednesday through Friday, was hosted by U.S. President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden.

The president will lead the summit, which is being hosted by the United States for the first time since the inaugural event in 1994, with leaders from North, South and Central America, as well as the Caribbean. The group is expected to discuss global issues including ways to boost economic growth, address climate change and the COVID-19 pandemic.

However, the summit was overshadowed by the absence of multiple Latin American leaders, including those of Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador, who boycotted the meeting and those of Cuba, Venezuela and Nicaragua, who were excluded by Washington. Meanwhile, Uruguay’s president said he had contracted COVID-19, and Bolivia also declined to attend.

Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, arguably the most important Latin American leader on the summit’s guest list, finally announced Monday morning that he would stay at home.

“There cannot be a Summit of the Americas if all countries of the Americas cannot attend,” Lopez Obrador said at his daily press conference in Mexico City. “This is to continue the old interventionist policies, lacking respect for nations and their people.”

Biden administration officials sought to downplay the absence of Lopez Obrador. White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre insisted the Mexican delegation, even without its president, would make “significant contributions” to the summit and its goals. However, experts regard it as a disaster and embarrassment for U.S. diplomacy.

CNN reported Wednesday that the absence of the leaders are notable “since the United States has worked to cultivate those leaders as partners on immigration, an issue that looms as a political liability for Biden.”

“8 nations did not send a leader-level official to the most important event we have held on the region in decades. Speaks volumes about how badly we’ve managed relations with our neighbors…” Brett Bruen, who served in the Obama Administration as director of global engagement, tweeted Wednesday.

Also on Wednesday, hundreds of people from across the Americas gathered in Los Angeles downtown to host three days of art, music, speakers, debates, workshops, panel discussions, performances in order to outshine the ninth Summit of the Americas.

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Land Act Bill amended and proposed to parliament

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Parliamentarian Moosa Siraj has introduced a bill proposing amendments to the Maldivian Land Act, incorporating modern modifications. The bill initiated discussions among parliament members after its proposal by Siraj.

The proposed bill outlines regulations for determining land types, allocation for different purposes, and distribution to ministries and individuals. It stipulates that national and public land policies will be formulated by the president with the advice and recommendations of parliament members.

Key provisions of the bill include the appointment of a Registrar of Land by the Ministry of Housing, Land, and Urban Development, establishment of a Land and Survey Authority, and appointment of a Surveyor General.

Regarding land distribution, the bill allocates land for ministries, freeholding, and leasing, specifying permissible uses such as residential, economic, industrial, social, environmental, and governmental activities. It addresses various aspects including land rights, plot allocation, leasing, mortgage, sale, transfer by inheritance, ownership, and rights transfer.

Highlighting the outdated nature of the current Land Act from 2002, Moosa Siraj emphasised the need for modern amendments to address contemporary challenges. He stressed the inclusion of provisions for land surveys and valuation policies to mitigate issues related to fluctuating land values.

Siraj urged fellow parliament members to support the bill, citing its importance. However, members of the opposition have expressed reservations, advocating against its passage.

Source(s): PsmNews

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Government prepares to offer Hiyaavahi Finance Scheme

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The Ministry of Housing, Land, and Urban Development has signed an agreement with the Housing Development Finance Corporation (HDFC) to offer low-interest loans for housing construction, in line with President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu’s commitment. Minister Ali Haidar Ahmed and the new Managing Director of HDFC, Ahmed Zeenad, signed the agreement of the venture.

This initiative, named the “Hiyaavehi Finance Scheme,” aims to provide financial support for the construction of individual homes. Minister Ali Haidar provided an overview of the scheme, highlighting President Dr. Muizzu’s pledge to offer low-interest loans. He outlined two categories for loan distribution, with one targeting individuals in Male’ City and other areas designated by President for development as urban centres and another for residents of other islands or regions.

Minister Haidar explained that individuals owning land in Male’ City and urban centers can receive loans of up to USD 195 thousand, with a repayment period of 25 years. Meanwhile, those in other areas are eligible for loans of USD 65 thousand under the same repayment terms.

He emphasised the enhancements made to the loan schemes compared to the previous administration, noting an increase in the maximum loan amount from USD 45 thousand to USD 65 thousand, a reduction in the interest rate from 6% to 5%, and an extension of the repayment period from 20 to 25 years.

The Minister announced that priority would be given to individuals with land plots in urban centers and areas outside Male’ City for loan disbursement. Loan applications will soon be open for residents of urban centers, accessible through the Ministry of Housing’s portal. After a screening process conducted by HDFC, eligible applicants will receive the loans.

President Dr. Muizzu’s initiative to provide loans to landowners aims to alleviate financial barriers to home construction, offering support to individuals in need.

Source(s): PsmNews

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Persecution of opposition leaders marks return to cycle of tyranny: Solih

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The move to summon opposition leaders to the police on unfounded charges marks a return to a bitter cycle of tyranny, says former Maldivian president Ibrahim Mohamed Solih.

Solih, a special advisor at the main opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), made the remark in a post on X on Wednesday night. His comment comes after the police summoned MDP’s chairperson Fayyaz Ismail for questioning in a corruption investigation.

Earlier on Wednesday, Fayyaz shared the summons he received from the police asking him to present himself for questioning regarding an ongoing investigation into a corruption case.

According to the summons, Fayyaz is suspected of financial gain from transactions involving embezzlement of Road Development Corporation (RDC)’s funds.

Fayyaz denied the case against him, and described it as “the beginning of a cycle of baseless political allegations.”

Retweeting his post, Solih expressed concern over the situation.

“The start of summoning opposition leaders to the police headquarters without any basis revives the bitter cycle of tyranny and infringement of the constitution we experienced before,” he wrote. “You can serve the people without being tyrannical.”

The former president had previously accused President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu of harboring a spirit of political retaliation.

The police previously said it was investigating a case involving the transfer of RDC’s funds to the bank accounts of the companies owned by top government officials as well as their personal accounts.

Source(s): sun.mv

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