News in brief: Fuwad Thowfeek approved for Elections Commission

Parliament on Wednesday unanimously approved the nomination of Fuwad Thowfeek to the Elections Commission with 70 votes in favour.

Two other nominees forwarded by the president – current member Amjad Musthafa and lawyer Haneefa Khalid – after 10 individuals applied for the post were not to put a vote after Fuwad was approved. Amjad’s five-year term is due to expire on November 24.

Fuwad was controversially dismissed as EC president by the Supreme Court in March 2014. In April this year, he ran unsuccessfully for the Machchangoalhi South parliament seat.

Physiotherapist suspended over sexual assault

The government-run Indira Gandhi Memorial Hospital has suspended a physiotherapist over an alleged attempt to rape a patient.

The case is under investigation by police, IGMH said. Police were also alerted after a group of people assaulted the accused employee inside the hospital, it added. The group previously threatened and beat up the employee and recorded a video of a coerced confession, according to the hospital.

Regardless of the truth of the allegations, the employee was suspended immediately after they emerged, the hospital said.

Bank of Maldives opens Business Centre

The Bank of Maldives opened its first ‘Business Centre’ in the outer ring road of the capital Malé on Tuesday night.

“We have a business loan portfolio comprising over 1,300 small businesses across various sectors. The new Business Centre will serve as a dedicated outlet to provide these businesses easy access to expert advice for all their financial needs,” said MBL CEO Tim Sawyer at the opening ceremony.

According to the national bank, “Dedicated Relationship Managers at the Business Centre will provide support for SMEs on a range of business banking and advisory services including applications for loans and credit facilities and merchant services including POS and Payment Gateway.”

The new centre was officially opened by Economic Development Minister Fayyaz Ismail.

Today on Twitter 

A full scale emergency exercise is underway at IfuruAirport. #Maldivian #NationalAirline pic.twitter.com/vZc9JuKY3A

— Maldivian (@MaldivianAero) November 13, 2019

Minister @faya_i attended the opening ceremony of the National Dialogue on Fostering Sustainable Youth Entrepreneurship hosted by the UNDP. @UNDPMaldives pic.twitter.com/EEvSLdkQQH

— Economy & Trade (@MoEDmv) November 13, 2019

"To strengthen our local agriculture & fisheries with more inclusion & sustainability, we must capture the interest of youth… Youth-led entrepreneurship & innovation are vital to ensure the success of these sectors and development of our country." @ZahaWaheed @MoFMRAmv pic.twitter.com/lKmoKxro0N

— UNDP Maldives (@UNDPMaldives) November 13, 2019

At the #NairobiSummit today, @YouthCouncilMV Chair @hssnfarhanmohmd commits to ensure inclusive access to sexual reproductive health info. & services in the #Maldives through the Youth Health Cafe'.

Join in and follow the #ICPD25 summit at https://t.co/GuPHrk67LT!#reprorights https://t.co/oMZv7ntwVG pic.twitter.com/ZrbLTwnX51

— UNFPA Maldives (@UNFPAMaldives) November 13, 2019

Minister Dr. Aishath Ali & delegation taking part in the policy debate of the 40th UNESCO General Conference being held in Paris. #unescoGC@aisthly @fathnaseer pic.twitter.com/hKo0eEgo6n

— Ministry of Education (@MoEdumv) November 13, 2019

Here is the Sh. Feydhoo community receiving their new glass bottles, bringing them a step closer to eliminate single-use plastic on the island.

Proudly supported by #AharengeBank Community Fund. pic.twitter.com/7hIcntyWgW

— Bank of Maldives (@bankofmaldives) November 13, 2019

Proud to partner with the Government of Maldives to install streetlights on #Kolhufushi island in Meemu Atoll. @MoFAmv @MEAIndia @presidencymv @psmnewsmv https://t.co/YLxVvIZzX4

— India in Maldives (@EoIMaldives) November 13, 2019

Minister of Tourism, @ali20waheed and FAM President, @bassam_jaleeI gifts National Team Supplement & Jersey to His Excellency President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih. pic.twitter.com/k4pxeYpWnD

— Football Association of Maldives (@MaldivesFA) November 13, 2019

Minister of Tourism, @ali20waheed, gifts National Team Brochure & Jersey to Hon. President @MohamedNasheed, MP Speaker of the People's Majlis. pic.twitter.com/0nFgtQScLb

— Football Association of Maldives (@MaldivesFA) November 13, 2019

…mitigation and adaptation projects and allows for a large degree of country ownership in identifying, proposing and implementing such projects. The present project “GCF Readiness & Preparatory Support for Establishing and Strengthening NDA and Developing Strategic Framework…

— Ministry of Environment (@MoEnvmv) November 13, 2019

The project also aims at elaborating the Maldives first GCF Country Programme which is expected to include the Maldives initial project pipeline to be financed by the GCF over the next 3-5 years.

— Ministry of Environment (@MoEnvmv) November 13, 2019

Bringing to you a collection of personal stories which together tells the story of our youth:

Youth Vision – Aharenvesmee Ekaku

Representation of the here & now of our youth, a sign of confidence & a vision to move beyond.

Link to the book: https://t.co/r84bSyLaZX pic.twitter.com/DiVkYzaZiD

— UNDP Maldives (@UNDPMaldives) November 13, 2019

Thanks to @MoHEmv for helping to raise awareness of opportunities under @EUErasmusPlus

Our coaching session yesterday, with experts from Cambodia, focused on theory and practice. pic.twitter.com/B7MRFnObxe

— EU to the Maldives (@EU_Maldives) November 13, 2019

Interested in expressing your thoughts about tolerance and inclusivity? Join our poetry night with Rayyan, Maeesha and Naf'ath on 14th November, 8:30 pm. To join for FREE SMS/Call 9742972 or 9939202. #InternationalDayofTolerance pic.twitter.com/ctrlNS9FjF

— ACMaldives (@ACMaldives) November 13, 2019

What an amazing week its been with @PeterMacreadie here at @SixSensesLaamu. Come along to his seminar at @MNUedu tomorrow afternoon to find out more about what #BlueCarbon work he's been up to globally and here in the #Maldives pic.twitter.com/euHsbflMmw

— Maldives Underwater Initiative (@MUInitiative) November 13, 2019

Stakeholder Consultation Workshop for National Policy and Guideline on Physical Activity for Healthy Independent Living from 12-13 November,2019 in Male’ City. @WHOMaldives @HPA_MV @worldheartfed @presidencymv @MoHmv @WHOSEARO pic.twitter.com/Cvd84Cpb67

— Tiny Hearts of Maldives (@TinyHeartsMV) November 13, 2019

Departing to Morocco on an official bilateral visit. I am confident that the visit would help enhance further the most cordial relations between the #Maldives and #Morocco @MarocDiplomatie pic.twitter.com/KciVs4PQIc

— Abdulla Shahid (@abdulla_shahid) November 13, 2019

The meeting with the Aus Chief of Defence Force Lieutinent General Angus Campbell went well. I was able to follow up on the discussions I had with Minister Reynolds. Thank you Lieutinent General Angus Campbell 🙏
I look forward to even more closer ties between our two forces. pic.twitter.com/t8vcykgDDY

— Mariya Didi 🎈 (@MariyaDidi) November 12, 2019

“Journey to the sunny side“ has reached the Nordic region with a promising first event in Copenhagen, Denmark tonight. Further events of the #roadshow will be held in Oslo, Stockholm and Helsinki from 13th – 15th November 2019.#Maldives #VisitMaldives #SunnySideofLife pic.twitter.com/PSQt7GGXOs

— Visit Maldives (@visitmaldives) November 12, 2019

Check out the new gallery in town! Drop by the Art Gallery of Male', opposite Shell Beans.https://t.co/UIYPjZIoqs

— Fine Art Maldives (@FineArtMaldives) November 12, 2019

Thrilled to announce the Launch of The Supplement, the new National Team Brochure & the New National Team Song by the Minister of @MoTmv, @ali20waheed and FAM President @bassam_jaleeI

Here’s a quick Glimpse of the Launching Ceremony which was held today at Turf 1. pic.twitter.com/NfVYQMSKDn

— Football Association of Maldives (@MaldivesFA) November 12, 2019

More effective frontline policing combined with other policing resources contributed to a significant reduction in violent crimes this year, especially violent crimes perpetrated by crime groups. We will continue to improve our efforts to reduce crime and fear of crime. pic.twitter.com/qPBQmKE1O5

— Mohamed Hameed (@M_Hameedh) November 12, 2019

"The Maldives is open for investments. The Maldives is open for you to visit "Ambassador Azeema addressed at the opening of the Embassy’s co-sponsored “2019 Belt and Road International Forum” today @MoFAmv pic.twitter.com/6M2ejK1hhW

— MaldivesInChina (@MDVinChina) November 12, 2019