Live ammunition training suspended after stray bullet injured tourist

The Maldives National Defence Force has suspended live fire training at Kaafu atoll Girifushi island after a stray bullet wounded a tourist on a safari. 

A bullet fired during a live fire training exercise ricocheted and grazed the 41-year old German national’s neck but he was left otherwise unharmed. “Preliminary findings reveal that the boat was travelling beyond the standard range for small arms fire, within accepted safe distance and not directly in the line of fire and the bullet was a freak accidental ricochet,” the MNDF said. 

The tourist was first treated at a nearby island but was later transferred to the private Tree Top hospital in Hulhumalé. 

Two men caught smuggling drugs

Customs officers at the Velana International Airport stopped two men aged 23 and 24 who arrived from Bangalore, India with 2.1kg of hashish oil on Saturday.

The confiscated drugs and the suspects were handed over to the police. The street value of the drugs was estimated at US$37,000, customs said. 

Public health fund launched after seven years

Health Minister Abdulla Ameen launched the public health fund on Wednesday, seven years after it was mandated in the Public Health Act of 2012. 

The fund was launched at a national conference held at the Paradise Island Resort. It will be used to raise awareness and prevent the spread of contagious diseases. According to the public health law, fines, revenue from public health service fees, income from training programmes, a portion of revenue from tobacco tariffs and funds allocated for public health in the annual budget approved by parliament should be deposited to the fund.

“I call on those who profit off our country’s beauty and natural resources to donate to the public health fund,” Health Minister Ameen said in his remarks at the launching ceremony. 

Today on Twitter

President @ibusolih observes progress of developmental efforts underway at Velana International Airport pic.twitter.com/RVdKndWcao

— The President's Office (@presidencymv) November 7, 2019

World Bank Executive Directors meet Hon. President Mohamed Nasheed, MP, Speaker of the People’s Majlis.

More details: https://t.co/yqG4wSjx63 pic.twitter.com/OqTOlR98Mb

— People's Majlis (@mvpeoplesmajlis) November 7, 2019

President meets World Bank delegation, discusses developmental agenda https://t.co/eIlNPRldqz

— The President's Office (@presidencymv) November 7, 2019

All are invited to the Public consultation of Male' region picnic island pic.twitter.com/sbhEmH3nRx

— Ministry of National Planning and Infrastructure (@MoNPImv) November 7, 2019

HDC signs agreement with @STELCOMALDIVES, for Representation and Provision of Technical Assistance on the Design and Construction of Electricity System and Open Access Network of #Hulhumalé Phase II. pic.twitter.com/B5wnU38BRK

— HDC (@hdcmaldives) November 7, 2019

Welcoming the newest addition to Flyme’s aircraft fleet. Congratulations @VillaAir_Flyme 😁
✈️ ATR 72-600#flyme #velanainternationalairpot pic.twitter.com/1710ee9HkZ

— VelanaAirport (@VelanaAirport) November 7, 2019

Monthly Digest of main events between India and Maldives in Oct 2019. Another month with important engagements and activities. pic.twitter.com/tcUdAv69h7

— India in Maldives (@EoIMaldives) November 7, 2019

Opening tomorrow
I Ahmed Amir in association with @NCA_MDV presents Impermanence,  8.11.2019. I @warlockgraphics @mofaisal12 #ImpermanenceExhibition pic.twitter.com/viDYlO7lqm

— Impermanence_exhibition (@Impermanenceex1) November 7, 2019

Minister of Health Abdulla Ameen launches @MFDA_mv Information System “Dhirithi”. @ameenex @MFDA_mv https://t.co/ty9s7Y57es pic.twitter.com/VW4HvVgCto

— Ministry of Health (@MoHmv) November 7, 2019

We're honoured to be the Hosting Partner for #stemfest, where we’ll be exhibiting some of our recent initiatives including #MyHulhumalè portal. Don't miss this incredible opportunity! Join us this weekend and check-out what they have in store for you. @womenintechmv #Hulhumalé https://t.co/plbuWB1mTd

— HDC (@hdcmaldives) November 7, 2019

A distinct honour to signing the Instrument of Acceptance, formalizing Maldives membership in the Indian Ocean Rim Association, #IORA . As a nation that lies at the heart of the Indian Ocean we pledge to strengthen regional cooperation and collaboration in this great region. pic.twitter.com/5AdmDZSvZB

— Abdulla Shahid 🎈 (@abdulla_shahid) November 7, 2019

1000 glass bottles just made their way into all households of Sh. Feydhoo! We were delighted to assist Feydhoo Environment Development Association (FEDA) steer their community towards reducing single-use plastic bottles. Proudly supported by #AharengeBank Community Fund. pic.twitter.com/gV2HjmCKG9

— Bank of Maldives (@bankofmaldives) November 7, 2019

Capital Market Forum – Video Report
Click: https://t.co/i228pwwG77#CMForum2019

— CMDA Maldives (@CMDA_MV) November 7, 2019

Hon. Defence Minister @MariyaDidi is attending #NoMoneyForTerror, a Ministerial Conference on Counter Terrorism Financing (6 – 8 Nov) in Melbourne, Australia, building on the 1st Conference held in Paris, France last year. pic.twitter.com/CpifLt0NAu

— Ministry of Defence (@MoDmv) November 7, 2019

Departing to Abu Dhabi to participate at the meeting of the Council of Ministers of @IORA20. #Maldives played a key role in conceptualizing IORA at its inception in the 1990s and its a privilege to lead the delegation to the meeting which will formalise Maldives membership. pic.twitter.com/b6zNc1ZHW6

— Abdulla Shahid 🎈 (@abdulla_shahid) November 6, 2019

Re-constructing a Coral Stone Mosque: @HeritageMv @MoACHmv #CoralstoneMosques #Kalhuvakarumiskiy pic.twitter.com/0q4DxvEDOv

— Yumna Maumoon (@yumna_maumoon) November 6, 2019

Thank you Minister @aisthly for a productive meeting to improve teacher recruitment from India to Maldives & utilise @ITECnetwork capacity building slots for @MoEdumv

Focus is also on Indian grant projects – building classrooms for students in islands. @MEAIndia@MoFAmv https://t.co/uobOxbpmxN

— India in Maldives (@EoIMaldives) November 6, 2019

Minister Maleeh Jamal visited the Science City in Kolkata today, as part of the India International Science Festival, where he was introduced to the mega science projects currently being executed around the world with Indian participation.#IISF2019 pic.twitter.com/DhNNNScO3J

— Ministry of Communication, Science and Technology (@MoCSTmv) November 6, 2019