Both of the country's cooking gas suppliers are continuing to ration cylinders after facing stock shortages earlier this month. Villa Hakatha also cut sales to 7kg per cylinder, down from the standard 10kg, after Maldives Gas began doing the same last week. STO managing director Shimad Ibrahim blamed regional supply disruptions affecting countries across Asia. A new shipment would arrive this week and full 10kg cylinders would be available by the time Ramadan begins, he assured. STO had previously said the issue would be fully resolved last week.
Police Commissioner Ismail Naveen decided to resign and seek retirement, less than a year after taking charge of the institution. He has submitted a letter to the president, according to media reports. He reportedly told fellow officers that he made the decision after careful consideration and believed now was the right time to step down.
The ruling People’s National Congress secured 28 local council seats and 41 Women’s Development Committee seats unopposed. There was only one candidate when the application deadline passed. The uncontested wins include council presidencies for Haa Alif Utheemu and Baarah, Alif Alif Himandhoo, Alif Dhaal Kunburudhoo, Alif Dhaal Mandhoo and Alif Dhaal Dhidhoo. The PNC also secured all three council seats in Laamu Mundoo without a contest. The opposition Maldivian Democratic Party secured one uncontested council presidency in Alif Alif Bodufolhudhoo and five WDC seats. The Adhaalath Party won one council seat and one WDC seat, while independent candidates secured three council seats and two WDC seats.
A petition on parliament's new e-petition system calling to preserve Villimalé as a green, pedestrian-friendly suburb of Malé gathered 227 signatures. It calls for limits on the growing number of e-bikes, an end to cutting trees, and restrictions on vehicle entry after the completion of the Malé–Thilafushi bridge.
A 45,000 square-foot plot of land in Hulhumalé was "sold" to China's Wanlin Holding Pvt Ltd, Adhadhu reported, citing board members of the Housing Development Corporation.
'Champa' Hussain Afeef was elected as the new chairman of the Maldives Association of Tourism Industry at its annual general meeting held at the Kurumba resort.
The Maldives Inland Revenue Authority collected MVR 4.45 billion (US$ 289 million) in January, including US$ 180 million in US dollars. GST accounted for 40 percent with 35 percent of total revenue coming from income taxes.
Hassan Mafaaz, 26, and Visham Mohamed, 35, were arrested on Friday on suspicion of involvement in the smuggling of 36 kilograms of hashish oil in a cargo shipment last week. The Criminal Court remanded both men in custody for 15 days.
The President’s Office announced that working hours for government offices for Ramadan and the first seven days of Shawwal would be from 9am to 1pm.
The annual Maldives Sports Awards recognised achievements in sports and athletics in 2024. President Muizzu presented Lifetime Achievement Awards to football legend Moosa Manik and Mohamed Nadeem. He also conferred the Sportswoman of the Year and Sportsman of the Year awards on outstanding athletes in both the Olympic and non-Olympic categories. The president's teenage son, Umair Mohamed Muizzu, who was nominated by the Tables Tennis Association, won a bronze award for best young male athlete, marking the first time a president's child won a sports award.
