Fuvahmulah City's water supply was cut off around 1pm after contamination rendered it unsafe. "A high dose of chlorine is being injected to clean the water network," Fenaka announced, advising residents to keep water purifiers switched off. It could take two days to restore the water supply, the state utility's local branch told the city council at an emergency meeting last night. The MNDF will distribute cases of bottled water, the council said, as residents scrambled to stock up on supplies. Fuvahmulah is the third most populous island in the country with about 11,000 people.
The Bank of Maldives doubled the foreign transaction limit on debit cards linked to Maldivian Rufiyaa accounts. The monthly limit for POS transactions overseas was raised to US$ 1,000. Cardholders could also spend up to US$ 3,000 for travel and medical purposes. Foreign ATM withdrawals remained capped at US$ 125 a month. Students and Maldivians residing abroad can register for higher limits. The national bank also reduced the merchant discount rate on all BML debit cards used on BML POS terminals to one percent, down from the standard 2.5 percent.
Parliament passed a new trademark law proposed by the government, allowing for the registration of both foreign and local intellectual property to grant exclusive rights, prevent unauthorised use and criminalise counterfeits.
A 19-year-old man was killed in a motorcycle accident in Hulhumalé. He passed away while undergoing treatment. Police identified the deceased as Ismail Rayan bin Nazim from Kaafu Dhiffushi. Two others were injured when two motorbikes crashed in Hulhumalé Phase 2. A speeding motorcycle had been driving the wrong way on the one-way Nikagas Magu, police said.
President Muizzu ratified amendments brought to the Special Economic Zone Act to facilitate the designation of SEZs as sustainable townships with a minimum investment of US$ 500 million. Such townships must include either "an integrated tourism development or a large-scale real estate development," both of which must also "incorporate various luxury tourism services, while large-scale real estate projects are additionally required to include luxury residential facilities." The economic development minister called it a "transformative milestone" that would pave the way for "new income streams, job creation, and long-term national prosperity."
At an inauguration ceremony officiated by President Muizzu, the Maldives Immigration introduced a new website, mobile app, and e-visa platform, which enables applications to be "submitted seamlessly through a unified digital platform." Other features include the MI ID Checker facial recognition for identifying foreign nationals.
Amendments made to the judges law made it mandatory for magistrates to complete a law degree within five years.
President Muizzu inspected progress as land reclamation resumed in Hulhumalé Phase 3 after a year. The project undertaken by Sri Lanka's Capital Marine and Civil Construction Company Private Limited involves reclaiming a total of 63 hectares with a 22,000 CBM dredger from the Dutch company Boskalis.
After whistleblowers accused him of sexual assault and abuse of authority, Assistant Commissioner Ahmed Shifan accused police officers of falsely altering his records at the Professional Standards Command database. In a letter to the police, Shifan denied the accusations detailed in a report submitted to parliament's security services committee.
A total of 355.9kg of drugs seized from a Sri Lankan fishing boat intercepted by the Coast Guard on Friday included 279.3kg of methamphetamine and 58.6kg of heroin, police revealed. Five Sri Lankan nationals were arrested and a joint investigation with Sri Lankan authorities is underway.
A dozen drug networks have been identified in an operation conducted in Fuvahmulah since January 2024, the South Police Commander revealed at an online press briefing. Of 75 cases investigated with 58 arrests, 65 cases have been forwarded for prosecution. About 5,000 cases have been reported to southern police stations this year.
Appearing at parliament's budget review committee, Finance Minister Moosa Zameer defended the lack of details regarding infrastructure work under the public sector investment program, including estimated costs, location and the amount of funds allocated for specific projects. The law does not require the inclusion of these details in the budget, Zameer told opposition MPs.
The new headquarters of the Maldives Correctional Service was inaugurated in Hulhumalé, accommodating 15 departments and divisions, and supporting 175 staff.
The China Machinery Engineering Corporation donated stormwater drainage pumps to be deployed in the Greater Malé Region.
