The third session of the public forum of ministers, ‘Ahaa’, which translates to ‘Ask’, is slated for Monday night.

The President’s Office said the next session of “Ahaa’ forum, organized by the office in collaboration with state media, PSM, will be held at 8:30pm on Monday night.

This session will feature Transport Minister Mohamed Ameen, Home Minister Ali Ihusan, Fisheries Minister Ahmed Shiyam, Higher Education Minister Dr. Mariyam Mariya and Youth Ministry Ibrahim Waheed.

Members of the public can send the questions they wish to ask these ministers to 300 with the keyword ‘AH’.

The current administration launched and held the first session of ‘Ahaa’ forum on January 25th which featured Minister of Economic Development and Trade, Mohamed Saeed; Minister of Islamic Affairs, Dr. Mohamed Shaheem Ali Saeed; Minister of Social and Family Development, Dr. Aishath Shiham; Minister of Sports, Fitness and Recreation, Abdulla Rafiu; and Minister of Construction and Infrastructure, Dr. Abdulla Muththalib.

The second session of the forum, held on February 23rd, featured President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu.

A direct portal was launched during the session to allow the public to send their questions and concerns to the President.

Source(s): sun.mv

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said China supports internal reconciliation among different factions of Palestine through dialogue, in a written interview with Al Jazeera Media Network published on Thursday.

The interview covers questions ranging from the Gaza crisis and the Russia-Ukraine conflict to the Taiwan question and China-U.S. relations.

As for the ongoing Gaza conflict, Wang said China will continue to strengthen solidarity and cooperation with Middle East countries and the whole international community to support the just cause of the Palestinian people in restoring their legitimate national rights.

China also supports Palestine’s full membership in the United Nations at an early date and supports establishing the independent State of Palestine and realizing “the Palestinians governing Palestine,” Wang said.

“We call for a more broad-based, more authoritative and more effective international peace conference to set a timetable and a road map for the two-state solution, to promote comprehensive, just and lasting settlement of the Palestinian question, and to ultimately realize peaceful coexistence between Israel and Palestine as well as harmony between the Arab and Jewish peoples,” he said.

Wang also said China is deeply concerned about the rising tensions in the Red Sea. “For quite some time, rising tensions in the Red Sea have affected important interests of regional countries, especially the littoral states. They have also heightened the overall security risk of the region and weighed on the global economic recovery.”

“We stand ready to coordinate more closely with regional countries and work together with the international community to continue with our constructive role in restoring peace and stability in the Red Sea at an early date,” Wang added.

In response to the escort mission by the Chinese Navy in the Gulf of Aden and the waters off Somalia, Wang said the mission is not related to the Red Sea situation but authorized by the UN Security Council.

Speaking of the Ukraine crisis, Wang said China’s position on the Ukraine crisis is consistent, unequivocal and transparent, while elaborating on China’s efforts to promote a ceasefire and end the fighting.

“We will work with all parties constructively to promote political settlement of the crisis, and contribute more to regional tranquility and security and enduring world peace,” said the Chinese foreign minister.

In the interview, Wang once again said Taiwan has been an inseparable part of China since ancient times, and the Taiwan question is entirely China’s internal affair.

“We will strive for peaceful reunification with the utmost effort and greatest sincerity. In the meantime, our bottom line is also clear: we will absolutely not allow anyone to separate Taiwan from China in any way,” Wang said.

Answering questions about how China sees the U.S. election and the prospects of China-U.S. relations, Wang said the U.S. election is an internal affair of the United States, and China never interferes in the internal affairs of other countries.

“The China-U.S. relationship cannot go back to its past. But it should, and can fully, have a bright future. China is ready to work with the United States to carry out more win-win cooperation, do more that benefits the whole world, and truly fulfill their respective responsibilities to the international community,” Wang said.

Source(s): CGTN

The Election Commission of the Maldives (ECM) has clarified that the Anti-Defection Act does not apply to independent parliamentarians, addressing inquiries regarding the enforcement of the Act against newly elected members who wish to join a political party.

Speaking on a programme aired on PSM news, ECM member Hassan Zakariyya disclosed that the commission has initiated legal research with the formation of a dedicated legal team. This move comes amid escalating debates surrounding the eligibility of newly elected parliamentarians to join political parties.

Zakariyya highlighted Article 3 of the Anti-Defection Act, which delineates the circumstances under which someone may be expelled or voluntarily leaves a party. Notably, these instances include events that occur either upon election as a parliamentarian or during their tenure.

Furthermore, Zakariyya referenced Article 79 of the Constitution, which stipulates that Parliament’s term spans five years from its inaugural session. Independently contested and elected members fall outside this jurisdiction, providing clarity on their status regarding party affiliation.

Meanwhile, seven out of the 11 candidates who contested the parliamentary elections independently have joined the ruling party, People’s National Congress (PNC). The party has formally notified the ECM of this change.

Source(s): PsmNews