UK Reform Party leader Nigel Farage claimed the British government requested Maldives block his humanitarian mission to deliver food and medical supplies to four Chagossians on Île du Coin, located 300 miles south of Maldives, though he has since abandoned the trip while the supply vessel proceeds without him. The Chagossians, who sailed from Sri Lanka and landed on the uninhabited island last week, are attempting to establish a permanent settlement in their former homeland to block the UK's handover of the archipelago to Mauritius. British authorities served them eviction papers, though a UK court has temporarily blocked the deportation order. Former UK defence secretary Ben Wallace dismissed Farage's mission as a "MAGA stunt," noting that no MP can visit the archipelago without pre-clearance and that Farage's party has not even appointed a defence spokesperson. The Maldives rejects the UK-Mauritius deal and claims sovereignty over Chagos. The trip came days after Trump reversed his position on the UK-Mauritius deal for a second time, warning UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer not to "give away" the US-UK military base on Diego Garcia and linking it to potential US military action against Iran over its nuclear programme, having endorsed the same deal as "the best available" just two weeks earlier.
Police Drug Enforcement and Counter Narcotics Intelligence seized over three kilograms of suspected narcotics and arrested two individuals: Hanif, 36, a Bangladeshi national, and Azuhadh Naseem, 28, from Gaaf Alif Maamendhoo—who were remanded for five and 15 days respectively following a special operation on Saturday.
A homeless man from Laamu Kurendhoo was remanded for five days after being arrested for eating in public during daylight hours in Ramadan. He was reportedly stopped by police for allegedly stealing an AC outdoor unit from Maldives Digital Services. It was the third such daytime eating case this Ramadan with suspects receiving remand periods ranging from five to 15 days.
Police said they will begin towing illegally parked, unregistered, and non-'A' zone vehicles from Malé streets starting Monday after Sunday's 11:30pm deadline expires, with vehicle owners bearing full responsibility for any damages and retrieval costs, and police disclaiming liability for damages during towing or storage.
Malé City Council issued a tender to procure eco-friendly electric buggies to relaunch buggy services in Vilimalé, seeking four eleven-seaters, three eight-seaters, and two cargo buggies from LVTONG brand, with bids due March 5, after the service was discontinued following its initial launch in April 2023.
The Food and Drug Authority warned food businesses against reusing single-use plastic (PET) bottles originally intended for beverages to package food items, citing health risks from plastic contamination.
Noonu Atoll Council President Mohamed Basheer owes the council MVR 118,220 (US$ 7,667), including MVR 89,820 in unpaid state house rent and MVR 28,400 for launch trips including campaign travel, while the council faces broader financial management issues including incomplete debt records, irregular hiring practices, and failure to collect owed payments totalling over MVR 2.2 million, a 2023 audit report revealed.
Environmental activist Humaidha Abdul Ghafoor filed another constitutional case at the High Court seeking to overturn the government's October 2024 decision to permit shark fishing, after a previous challenge was rejected on grounds that the fishing plan was not a law or regulation subject to constitutional review.
Over 70,000 patients sought mental health treatment across Maldives in the past three years, with a 2022 GAPS study showing 1 in 5 Maldivians exhibit depression symptoms.
The President's Office extended the application deadline to March 3, 2026 for membership on three advisory committees covering tourism, construction, and fisheries sectors.
