Fayyaz Ismail resigned as MDP chairman. He announced the decision to step aside in a post on X, thanking members and calling the opportunity to lead the party "one of the greatest honours of my life." Fayyaz's resignation letter reportedly called his position "an obstacle" to decision-making with full respect and authority to the party's president, Abdulla Shahid, and advisor, former president Solih. Fayyaz cited ongoing internal disagreements among party leaders since the 2022 congress and expressed concern over complications created by his intention to seek the MDP ticket for the 2028 presidential election. The party remains divided following the dispute between former presidents Solih and Nasheed, he noted, blaming the rift on the MDP losing both the presidential and parliamentary elections.
High Court Judge Mohamed Faisal resigned after he was placed under investigation by the Judicial Service Commission over alleged misconduct. He was among five High Court judges currently facing ethics probes, including Mohamed Niyaz, who has filed for retirement, along with Fathimath Farheeza, Hussain Mazeed, and Deebanaz Fahmy. Former Supreme Court justice Husnu Suood accused President Muizzu of seeking to remove the judges in a "systematic effort to tighten full control over the justice system."
In the first of a series of ward meetings with Malé residents, President Muizzu announced that 300 three-bedroom housing units to be developed in Villimalé will be reserved exclusively for residents, with construction beginning this year. He also outlined plans to modernise roads, upgrade utility networks, build a multi-sports complex, and install a USD ATM. Motorised vehicles will not be introduced even after the bridge is completed, he pledged. He also directed the removal of two ageing trees upon request.
The Taxi Drivers Association urged the government to immediately halt plans for a state-run taxi line, warning it will damage state finances and impoverish families. In a letter to Transport Minister Mohamed Ameen, the association said the plans lack transparency and consultation with drivers and passengers, estimating costs of up to MVR 200 million (US$ 13 million) in salaries and maintenance costs in the first year alone, and noting the failure of similar ventures in India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Kenya, Mexico, and some European countries.
Police are investigating an officer for allegedly threatening a child during a football match on a central Maldives island Friday evening. The incident followed a clash between children. Another police officer who has family ties to one child later filed a complaint alleging threats of physical harm against another child. Police are conducting both a criminal inquiry into the alleged assault and intimidation, and an administrative inquiry by the Professional Standards Command.
The Met office forecast heavy rain across most of the country for the next three days, with rainfall expected to continue into Wednesday and Thursday. Seas will be moderately rough with winds of 10-20 mph and gusts up to 40 mph. Several storm systems are active around the Maldives, with cyclonic activity observed near the Bay of Bengal, Arabian Sea, and Maldives region.
The government's new Flexible Working Time rule allows employees to work outside standard 8am to 2pm office hours, with that time counted toward their official duty hours, a senior pay commission officer told Mihaaru on Thursday. The Pay Commission amendment addresses agencies requiring after-hours work, permitting flexible scheduling while maintaining the eight-hour daily limit. Employees must record duty times and compensate for personal absences within the monthly pay cycle.
Police are investigating a case reported on Saturday in which children under state care on an island in central Maldives allegedly forced a 10-year-old to smoke cigarettes. The investigation involves minors at one of the government's Aman Hiyaa centres, which house over 150 children across five islands after relocations from Villimalé and Hulhumalé facilities.
The Environmental Regulatory Authority is investigating damage to Hulhumalé Phase 1's eastern reef. Individuals allegedly used pickaxes and metal tools to create a canal on Wednesday evening. ERA Chief Executive Hassaan Mohamed confirmed the investigation. The perpetrators lacked a permit and will face questioning and potential heavy fines, with authorities set to assess the extent of coral damage before determining further action.
A power outage struck the Meemu Mulaku Regional Hospital while a patient was under anesthesia for a cesarean section. Electricity was restored after about 15 minutes, Adhadhu reported. The hospital's backup generator, reportedly malfunctioning for about two years, failed to activate during the outage caused by under-voltage across the island. Hospital management claims the generator issue has been resolved, though residents remain concerned about the facility's reliability.
A man who wore a floral-patterned shalwar kameez to the Lily film premiere addressed the controversy surrounding his outfit. It was part of an official collaboration with Fathima's Wardrobe and aligned with the event's "Maldivian Royal with a Modern Touch" theme, Ali Naahid said, denying cross-dressing or promoting any agenda. The design drew from historical Maldivian attire influenced by South Asian menswear during the Sultanate era, he explained. Naahid expressed disappointment over the designer and production team distancing themselves despite approving the outfit, and criticised the public outrage over clothing while serious issues receive minimal attention, referring to the alleged sexual abuse of his niece, which he has posted about since May.
The Maldives and Saudi Arabia signed a five-year judicial cooperation agreement during the International Judicial Conference in Saudi Arabia, which covers strengthening judicial systems, developing professional capabilities of judges, exchanging expertise and best practices, and organising joint training programs and conferences.
