Maldivians travelling overseas for medical treatment will be able to exchange up to US$ 1,000 at the official exchange rate with effect on August 1. President Muizzu's announcement came as the black market rate reached record highs. Earlier in the day, opposition lawmakers sought unsuccessfully to meet the central bank governor over the worsening dollar shortage.
Addu City Mayor Ali Nizar slammed the government's failure to resolve persistent power cuts across the interconnected islands for the past two years. Electricity was cut from the council office twice during working hours and frequent outages were damaging private and business property, he tweeted, noting how a recent five-hour power cut in the capital had been treated as a crisis. According to Fenaka, Monday's power cuts were caused by a faulty generator.
The Supreme Court announced the retirement of Chief Justice Muthasim Adnan. Along with a MVR 159,375 (US$ 10,335) lump sum and monthly pension and allowances, his retirement package reportedly amounts to MVR 493,600. Justice Abdulla Hameed was temporarily put in charge of the court.
The Fahi Dhiriulhun Corporation began signing agreements with recipients of 4,000 social housing flats built in Hulhumalé under the previous administration's Gedhoruveriya scheme. Tenants who pay rent – MVR 8,000 for two-bedroom apartments and MVR 10,500 for three-bedroom apartments (inclusive of a maintenance fee) – before the 10th of the month will be eligible for a full subsidy, the state-owned company clarified in response to "misleading" information. The subsidy will decline for late payments with zero coverage for rent paid after the 26th of the month.
Mahaz Ali Zahir, who was dismissed from the Supreme Court bench in May, accused Attorney General Ahmed Usham of exerting influence over judges to an unprecedented extent. No other AG has done more since 2008, Mahaz said, sharing a screenshot of a WhatsApp conversation with a lawyer who allegedly relayed a message from Usham.
Some MVR 1 billion will be allocated in next year's budget for housing projects in the atolls, President Muizzu pledged at a function in Manadhoo, his last stop of the day during an ongoing tour of Noonu atoll. His first stop was Maafaru to attend a groundbreaking ceremony for a new police station, which was followed by groundbreaking ceremonies for a mosque and fitness centre in Hen'badhoo, and the inauguration of a bus service and groundbreaking for a nature park visitor centre in Ken'dhikulhudhoo. The homeland security minister inaugurated passport issuance services in Manadhoo.
A 48-year-old man was arrested from an undisclosed island over the alleged sexual abuse of a 12-year-old girl. The perpetrator was in a position of trust (family member, teacher or guardian) with the victim, according to the police.
The ports authority defended hiked lease fees for bonded warehouses in Hulhumalé due to take effect on August 15, citing the cost of providing security, maintenance and waste disposal services. Contrary to media reports, the revised charges will not affect the prices of goods in the domestic market as the bonded warehouse areas 1, 2 and 3 are used to store alcohol and pork bound for resorts, MPL said.
