A German tourist was killed in a diving accident after striking the propeller of a boat near Rangali Manta Point in South Ari Atoll. Police said an investigation is underway. Images circulating on social media appear to show a body bag being brought onto the deck of a dive boat.
India approved the highest-ever export quotas for essential commodities to the Maldives under a bilateral arrangement dating back to 1981, the Indian High Commission in Malé announced. The quotas cover eggs, potatoes, onions, rice, wheat flour, sugar, lentils, stone aggregate, and river sand, with a 77 percent increase in the rice quota. The commodities will be exempt from any Indian export restrictions during the 2026-27 fiscal year. The announcement comes as the Maldives seeks to secure food and construction supply lines amid the Middle East war disruptions.
HDC hired more than 400 people and promoted over 1,000 staff in a single week, Adhadhu reported. Sources said many promotions were directed by the President's Office through MPs and political allies, bypassing HDC's own HR policies and including staff who had faced disciplinary action. HDC's monthly wage bill has nearly doubled from MVR 27 million (US$ 1.7 million) under the previous government to MVR 45 million. The hiring spree extends across state-owned enterprises, with MTCC, Customs, RDC, MACL, and government ministries also adding staff. President Muizzu denied the hiring was election-related, saying the jobs were needed for ongoing projects.
The housing ministry opened applications for land plots under the administration’s ‘Housing for All’ scheme, which offers 1,250 land plots in Rasmalé to native and long-term residents of Malé. The ministry also opened applications for housing units under the special category for people with disabilities, following revised criteria and eligibility rules published in March. Applications for both land plots and housing units under the special category will remain open until April 30.
The higher education ministry opened applications for student loans under revised rules published by the ministry. The scheme was launched by Minister Dr Ali Haidar Ahmed, who said this year’s programme includes changes aimed at making the scheme more transparent and easier for students to access. According to the ministry, the loan scheme will provide financing for programmes ranging from diploma to PhD level, as well as professional licence programmes and medical specialisation fellowships. Applications will remain open year-round unlike in previous years and will be reviewed on a rolling basis.
The housing and infrastructure ministry laid the foundation for 2,000 housing units in Kulhudhuffushi, to be developed by the Housing Development Corporation. The ministry also signed an agreement with Altec Maldives to develop water and sanitation services on 11 islands under a contractor-financing model. The project includes "completing unfinished works" for water projects in Raa Rasmaadhoo, Faafu Feeali and Thaa Buruni, as well as water and sanitation projects in Raa Angolhitheemu, Raa Vaadhoo, Laamu Hithadhoo and Gaafu Alif Dhevvadhoo. Under the agreement, the company will also replace existing sewage systems in Laamu Isdhoo, Laamu Kalaidhoo and Laamu Dhanbidhoo with a new gravity-based sewage system, and upgrade the water supply system in Fuvahmulah.
Bank of Maldives opened 90 new ATM centres, including 70 US dollar ATMs, and six new branches in Haa Dhaal Hanimaadhoo, Kulhudhuffushi City, Alif Alif Thoddoo, Thaa Vilufushi, Laamu Hithadhoo and Seenu Hulhudhoo. Speaking at a special ceremony held to mark the openings, BML CEO Mohamed Shareef denied claims that the bank was facing liquidity problems or issues with international telegraphic transfer transactions. Responding to concerns raised by companies and businesses over difficulties with TT transactions in questions from Adhadhu, BML spokesperson Mohamed Saeed also warned that the bank would "sue anyone spreading false information".
Cargo clearance at Malé commercial harbour now takes an average of 17 days, up from about a week previously, with businesses warning of mounting financial losses and stock shortages, Adhadhu reported. Some shipments, including food supplies for resorts, remain stuck in Colombo because there is no space at the port, which has a capacity of just 2,750 containers. MPL blamed a pre-Ramadan surge in imports but said the only permanent solution is relocating the port to Thilafushi. The congestion persists despite MPL switching to 24-hour operations in January, a change from the system in place since 1986. The 40-year-old port now handles more than 6,500 containers a month, up from around 1,000 when it opened.
Residents of FDC flats in Hulhumalé called for rent reductions and a one-year grace period, saying they deserve the same relief given to Hiya flat tenants days before the election. The current government raised FDC rents from the previous administration's rates, from MVR 6,000 to MVR 7,000 for two-bedroom and MVR 8,000 to MVR 10,000 for three-bedroom units including maintenance. Protesters also called for FDC Managing Director Hamdan Shakeel's resignation. According to Adhadhu, HDC officials initially opposed the Hiya rent waiver due to the financial damage to the company, but were overruled by a direct presidential decision driven by electoral calculations. Sources told the outlet that PNC faced difficulty winning some Hulhumalé constituencies and needed to secure the referendum vote.
