political crisis in Maldives

Maldives president lifts state of emergency after 45 days

Maldives President Abdulla Yameen lifts a 45-day-long state of emergency which outlawed protests during a surge in political turmoil, saying he wants things to return to normal.

Maldives government defies court order to free opposition leaders

Maldives President Abdulla Yameen's administration says legal conflicts made it difficult to comply with a Supreme Court order to free jailed opposition leaders, deepening a political crisis in the Indian Ocean island nation.