Britain said on Friday that sovereignty over Chagos is a matter solely between the UK and Mauritius, rebuffing the Maldives' objections. "Various courts, rulings and institutions have made clear that the question of sovereignty of the Chagos Archipelago is between the UK and Mauritius," the Foreign Office told Turkiye's Anadolu Agency. It came after Muizzu told parliament on Thursday that the government had formally objected to the UK on two occasions. The Foreign Office stressed that the Diego Garcia treaty has "robust security provisions" protecting the military base "for generations to come."
Due to stock shortages, Maldives Gas controlled sales and reduced the refilling amount for cylinders. According to sources, 10kg cylinders now receive only 7kg of gas, while larger cylinders are being sold at 50 percent reduced capacity, Adhadhu reported. The measures started last Thursday after STO faced import difficulties. The privately-owned Villa Hakatha started supplying gas to Maldives Gas late last month.
Maldives Ports Limited launched a logistics subsidiary called Maldives National Logistics, inaugurated by Finance Minister Moosa Zameer at the Maldives Marine Expo. MPL said the company, established in December 2025, will operate the government's ANCHOR logistics network and provide domestic transshipment, commercial warehousing at Thilafushi, stevedoring, bonded warehouse and sea-to-air cargo services. MPL said the company would strengthen cold chain capacity and deliver goods to regional ports on a scheduled timetable "without the help of an additional party." Private logistics firms have raised concerns about competing with a state-owned company. Asia Forwarding, one of the sector's established operators, warned it could undermine competitiveness. The opposition MDP's president called the decision "completely contrary to free market principles," saying the government's role is to support small and medium businesses, not compete with them.
MPL and the economic development ministry signed an agreement to establish a bonded zone at Hithadhoo commercial port in Addu, allowing duty-free storage of food and essential goods.
The Media and Broadcasting Commission is investigating Channel 13 over a January 7 satirical segment where a host, pretending to call President Donald Trump, suggested the US should have taken President Muizzu instead of Venezuela's, Adhadhu reported. The commission claims the broadcast violated journalistic conduct standards on national security and has requested the TV station's response by February 9.
The Road Development Corporation signed an agreement with Chinese machinery company XCMG to acquire 230 heavy machines, including asphalt equipment for road development projects. The deal, facilitated through Infrastructure Development Solutions, includes establishing repair and spare parts centres. The initiative aims to resolve equipment acquisition challenges and accelerate national infrastructure development, RDC said.
The Judicial Service Commission appointed two new High Court judges and a new Criminal Court judge, who were sworn in at the Supreme Court on Saturday. Abdul Rauf Ibrahim returns to the High Court bench he left in May 2022 after resigning while the JSC under the previous government was moving to dismiss him over his acceptance of a state-allocated flat during President Yameen's administration. He subsequently ran for parliament on the ruling PNC's ticket. Ismail Shafeeu was promoted from the Criminal Court, where he served since 2021, while Ahmed Niyaz was appointed to the Criminal Court from the Laamu Kalaidhoo Magistrate Court. Rauf had been serving as senior legal counsel at MPL.
President Muizzu announced a dedicated health insurance scheme for athletes covering treatment for sports-related injuries, which took effect Thursday for 385 players and officials from 18 national sports associations. The coverage applies to injuries sustained during domestic tournaments, international competitions, and overseas training programs.
The government will refinance the US$ 500 million sukuk maturing in April at a low interest rate, Finance Minister Moosa Zameer assured in an appearance on state media, maintaining that the Sovereign Development Fund holds over US$ 275 million and gross foreign reserves exceed US$ 1.1 billion. The administration plans to borrow around US$ 150 million at favourable rates as part of the refinancing strategy, avoiding direct drawdown of reserves.
The Maldives ambassador to Saudi Arabia delivered a letter from President Muizzu to Crown Prince Mohamed bin Salman. Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Waleed Elkhereiji received the letter on Thursday.
