A law will be amended to ban people with Israeli passports from entering the archipelago, as a reaction to war in the Gaza Strip; it is not yet clear when the ban will come into effect

Amendments to the Tobacco Control Act, which prohibit the import, sale, free distribution and use of vaping devices and electronic cigarettes in the Maldives, came into force on 15 December; already nine persons have been sanctioned

The country recorded 1,9 million tourist arrivals to date this year, an increase over the previous two years; the largest number of tourist arrivals came from China, 13,4% of the total

At a press conference on the government's efforts to control tobacco in the Maldives, Minister Nazim mentioned that cessation clinics are in operation and revealed the establishment of helpline 1676

The Kulhudhuffushi City Knowledge Centre, opened by the municipality, was established together with a public library and a wellness centre; the new space for the community will be hub to foster learning, growth and mutual engagement