MDP activist Mariyam Zubair defamed the president's teenage son with her remarks at a protest, the civil court ruled in a lawsuit filed by First Lady Sajidha Mohamed, who also sued the main opposition party and its chairman over “false allegations” about the government banning vaping after 16-year-old Umair Mohamed Muizzu was caught smoking. While Sajidha was entitled to seek compensation from Mariyam Zubair, the judge said he lacked the legal authority to order the MDP to issue a public apology as requested by the first lady. A decision on whether the MDP and Fayyaz Ismail bore responsibility was deferred until the final judgment in the case.
TMA pilots called off a planned strike after the airline agreed to resume paying salaries in US dollars. The reversal of the decision to pay 20 percent of salaries in Rufiyaa over a dollar shortage came after MATATO warned the suspension of TMA's seaplane operations could leave thousands of tourists stranded and force resorts, airlines and travel agencies to "manage a crisis far beyond their control, including rebooking, compensation and reputational fallout." The opposition chairman meanwhile blamed the government for the worsening forex crisis.
The cabinet approved the sale of the government stake in the SME Development Finance Corporation to the Bank of Maldives, which proposed lending up to MVR 1.9 billion (US$ 123 million) over three years. Following the acquisition, SDFC will become a "shariah compliant, digital-first subsidiary, providing technology-driven financial services," according to BML.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will arrive on Friday for a two-day state visit to coincide with the 60th anniversary of independence. He will hold bilateral talks, exchange MoUs and inaugurate several projects, the President’s Office announced.
The Fahi Union, a group representing recipients of social housing flats, urged the government-owned Fahi Dhiriulhun to waive a MVR 25,000 down payment for 4,000 apartments to be leased for 25 years under a rent-to-own model. In a meeting with FDC officials, the union also expressed concern over steep late payment penalties and appealed for a reduction in the MVR 7,000 monthly rent for two-bedroom flats.
