Police arrested five men from Addu, alleging them to be leaders of a major drug trafficking network operating since 2017. According to police, a drug trafficking and money laundering probe launched in March revealed more than MVR 19 million (US$ 1.2 million) had passed through the bank accounts of four of the network’s leaders. The Criminal Court remanded three of the suspects for 30 days and the other two for five days.
The Education Ministry issued controversial new uniform guidelines for public schools, restricting shirt colours to white, sky blue, tea green or light red, with bottom garments limited to black or navy blue. The rules also require hijab-wearing students above Grade 3 to wear trousers beneath their skirts. The ministry said the changes aim to establish a consistent standard across public schools, ensure uniforms are comfortable for students, and make them easier and more affordable to source from the market.
The Elections Commission announced the next local council elections will be held on 4 April 2026. Voters will elect council members and Women’s Development Committee representatives for 226 constituencies. The EC also said it is now accepting applications for more than 7,000 polling officials, along with additional staff to support the administration of the elections.
Opposition MP Mohamed Ibrahim (Kudu) urged President Muizzu to ease the housing loan conditions offered to Malé residents under the Hiyaavahi scheme, arguing that the Bank of Maldives’ requirements for the loan scheme is effectively the same as its standard loan rules. He said many Malè residents had raised concerns that applicants are disqualified if repayments exceed 40 percent of their income and that the requirement to use 80 percent of any loan-funded property for residential purposes limits their ability to earn rental income.
A Flydubai Boeing 737 was grounded in Velana International Airport after a mobile fuel bowser collided with an aircraft wing on Thursday. The aircraft will remain grounded until repairs are completed and certified according to regulatory standards.
Former Prosecutor General Hussain Shameem pushed back against claims by lawyers representing Bassam Adeel Jaleel, the disgraced former Football Association of Maldives (FAM) president, who argued that local authorities lacked the jurisdiction to investigate alleged money laundering involving FIFA funds and that doing so could risk a FIFA suspension. Shameem maintained that money provided by FIFA to FAM ultimately belongs to the Maldivian public, and that Maldivian law clearly permits the investigation of money laundering committed within its jurisdiction and by Maldivian nationals.
The former youth minister under the MDP administration, Ahmed Mahloof, was appointed as Ambassador to Japan. His nomination was approved by parliament with bi-partisan support on Wednesday.
President Muizzu met with residents of Maafannu ward in Malè on Thursday night as part of his ongoing town hall meetings in the capital area.
Police began towing illegally parked motorbikes and four wheelers in Malè.