Author: Minivan News

Brand of butter commonly used in Maldives declared non-halal by Malaysia

The Islamic Development Department of Malaysia has declared the ‘Pure Creamery Butter-Golden Churn’ as non-halal (forbidden under Islamic sharia). The brand, widely used in the Maldives, was found to contain pig DNA.

According to media reports, the department’s director general explained that the product was the same brand that had been previously banned but had been brought into the country by different importers.

Meanwhile, local daily Haveeru reports Ibrahim Arif from the Olympia Shop as insisting that the New Zealand company that manufactures the butter had guaranteed it was pig-free.

“The company has denied the reports as baseless. As the company has guaranteed [that the product is free from pig DNA], we have recently placed an order worth US$100,000,” he said.

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Six injured in accident at sea

Six people sustained varying degrees of injury in an accident at sea between Male’ and Dhoonidhoo at about 9:00pm last night.

According to police, a speedboat from Reethi Rah Resort transporting staff to Male’ collided with a dhoni (traditional boat) carrying cargo from the airport to Thilafushi.

All six injured were traveling on the speedboat, while one person whose injuries were serious was taken to ADK hospital for treatment.

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Bill doubling city councillors rejected after presidential veto

An amendment to the Decentralisation Act proposed by opposition Dhivehi Rayyithunge Party (DRP) MP Hassan Latheef and subsequently vetoed by President Mohamed Nasheed was invalidated at parliament yesterday.

The amendment would have doubled the number of city councillors in Male’ City and Addu City.

A motion proposed by DRP MP Dr Abdulla Mausoom to override the veto and pass the bill again did not receive the required 39 votes.

Article 91(b) of the constitution states that “any bill returned to the People’s Majlis for reconsideration shall be assented to by the President and published in the government gazette if the bill, after reconsideration, is passed without any amendments, by a majority of the total membership of the People’s Majlis.”

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Luxury Indian cruise liner to set sail for Maldives in October

Indian shipping company AMET has announced that the cruise liner MV AMET Majesty will sail from Kochi to the Maldives starting October for a weekly four-night cruise intended to open the country to middle class Indian visitors.

“Only foreign cruise liners used to visit the ports that always remained the prerogative of the rich. With the rightly priced packages, AMET cruise brings cruise tourism options within the reach of the urban middle class,’’ AMET’s CEO Bharathi said.

The luxury cruise, equipped with dance floor, disco, casinos, show lounges, bars, swimming pool, barbeque and conference room is expected to be especially popular for weddings, the company said.

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Indian High Commission celebrates Independence Day

The Indian High Commission yesterday celebrated India’s 65th anniversary of Independence, with an event attended by a large number of people from the Indian community.

High Commissioner Dnyaneshwar M Mulay hoisted the national flag during a morning function, and read the Inidan President’s address to the nation.

Speaking after the address, Mulay recognised the contribution of the Indian community and the India Club in social welfare and cultural activities in the Maldives, and said he hoped that the recent establishment of the India Cultural Centre in Maldives would further increase the range of such activities.

Maldivian President Mohamed Naseed, Vice President Mohamed Waheed Hassan, members of Cabinet, members of the diplomatic corps and other prominent members of the Maldivian community attended an India’hosted Ifthar reception in the evening at the Nasandhura Palace Hotel.

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Three assault cases a day on average reported to police

As of August this year, 775 assault cases have been reported to police, Assistant Commissioner of Police Ali Rasheed said last night at a ceremony to revive the spirit of Ramadan.

MNBC One reports that Rasheed noted that the number of reported incidents amounted to three assault cases a day, adding that the cases included three fatalities this year.

Rasheed said that “obstruction to police investigation of assault cases” from parents and some segments of society was an obstacle to police efforts to combat crime.

Speaking at last night’s religious programme, Rasheed observed that 1,519 cases of assault were reported last year, the majority of which involved youth offenders.

Meanwhile two men were taken into custody around 2:45am early this morning on suspicion of planning an assault.

According to police, the pair were forcibly arrested in a small alley near Scoop Restaurant by the Maafanu Police Station who were alerted by a member of the public.

A one-foot long Bennet knife was confiscated from one of the suspects.

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Nine year old boy dies after apparent suicide attempt

A nine year-old boy who was hospitalised following an apparent suicide attempt on Thinadhoo in Gaaf Dhaal Atoll on July 29 has died of his injuries.

Haveeru reported a family member as stating that doctors at Indhira Gandi Memorial Hospital (IGHM) had given up hope for the child’s recovery last week, and that the boy’s condition deteriorated after he was removed from intensive care yesterday.

Police said at the time that the boy was found hanging from a coconut palm and was rescued by his 14 year-old brother.

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Agreement signed with India for US$40 million line of credit

An agreement has been signed with the Indian Export-Import Bank (EXIM Bank) for a US$40 million line of credit for 500 housing units to be built with assistance from the Indian government.

According to the Maldives High Commission in New Delhi, India, the agreement was signed Friday with the High Commission’s Councillor Aishath Azima signing on behalf of the Maldives and Chairman T. C . A Ranganadhan on behalf of the bank.

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47 road accidents in first week of Ramadan

A total of 47 road accidents were reported across the country in the first week of Ramadan, according to police, compared to 38 accidents in the corresponding period last year.

Apart from the capital Male’ where the highest number of accidents are reported particularly during Ramadan, a number of accidents have occurred in the southern atolls of Laamu, Fuahmulah and Addu.

While no serious injuries have been reported, an accident in Hulhumale’ last week resulted in a fatality.

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