Fresh LPG shipments will reach both Villa Gas and STO, as the government moves to prevent cooking gas prices from rising further amid supply pressures linked to the Middle East conflict, Economic Minister Mohamed Saeed announced at a press briefing by the ministerial crisis committee. The assurance came after Villa Gas hiked prices by up to 75 percent, raising a 10kg cylinder from MVR 200 (US$ 13) to MVR 350 and a 20kg cylinder from MVR 450 to MVR 650. The government has narrowed down four to five options to manage gas prices and will announce a decision by Wednesday, he said. On cement, the minister confirmed four alternative suppliers have been secured to ensure STO can maintain supply if its regular markets face disruptions, after prices surpassed MVR 300 per 50kg bag. The government is also monitoring 164 categories of essential goods daily, he said, noting that no shortages have occurred more than a month into the conflict. Tourism Minister Thorig Ibrahim added that no discussions have taken place regarding changes to electricity prices.
MDP's acting chairman Abdul Ghafoor Moosa dismissed deputy chairman Ibrahim Waheed and legal director Ahmed Mauroof amid deepening factional strife. Former President Nasheed and his supporters boycotted MDP's election victory celebration rally after he was allegedly removed from the speaking lineup. Waheed accused the interim chair of "losing his mind."
Fenaka's Fuvahmulah branch announced scheduled rolling power outages from 6pm to midnight tonight after a generator failure reduced the island's electricity generation capacity. One of the seven generator sets serving the island's nearly 10,000 residents broke down, prompting hourly rotational cuts across different areas. Fenaka advised residents to switch off electronics during outages, noting that areas with lower load may be spared. A 1.2-megawatt generator was ordered during President Muizzu's visit to the island last November, though power shortages have persisted since January.
Fenaka's CFO Mohamed Jihad and CRO Abdullah Sanoon were dismissed, while Deputy MD Mohamed Arif resigned after being asked to do so by the government. The dismissals follow the sacking of Fenaka MD Mohamed Najah as the government moves to replace senior officials across state-owned enterprises. Deputy MD Adam Thaufeeq was appointed as acting head of state utility corporation.
Opposition MP Mohamed Ibrahim sought a parliamentary inquiry into an MVR 13 million (US$ 843,000) contract awarded to develop MTCC's 'Malé Taxi' app, alleging corruption and procurement violations. The contract was awarded through an invitation-only tender without competitive bidding, at a cost far exceeding market value, and the evaluation committee formed did not follow the company's own procurement policy, the lawmaker said. The app was launched at a high-profile ceremony just 72 hours before the local council elections.
Monterey Bay Aquarium's Seafood Watch programme rated Maldivian tuna as a "best choice" for sustainability, the first time the influential US consumer guide has issued a country-specific rating for tuna. The fisheries ministry said the rating could help open the North American market to Maldivian tuna exports. The Maldives' handline yellowfin tuna fishery also received Marine Stewardship Council certification last month, adding to the existing MSC certification for pole-and-line skipjack.
Land reclamation in Thaa Veymandoo wrapped up on April 4, with the TSHD Filippo Brunelleschi completing 27 hectares in just 23 days, President Muizzu and the MACL announced. A total volume of 882,693 cubic metres was dredged during the project, which began on March 12.
The police Anti-Scam Centre recovered 70 percent of stolen funds reported last week, retrieving MVR 227,828 of the MVR 322,270 lost across 42 cases. Online shopping fraud accounted for 30 of the cases. Separately, the centre marked its first anniversary, reporting 2,259 cases in its first year with 40 percent of total stolen funds recovered. The centre's head, Inspector Adam Naveed, said the biggest challenge remains victims' delay in reporting scams, as fraudsters typically drain receiving accounts within minutes.
The Criminal Court acquitted two men charged with the fatal stabbing of Mohamed Ahmed Didi in a Maafannu shop in February 2023, ruling the prosecution failed to establish a chain of evidence linking them to the attack. Judge Ibrahim Ihsan said video footage was inconclusive, a key CCTV timestamp showed the year 2000, and DNA found at the scene could not be tied to the incident because the shop was publicly accessible. The court also noted that unidentified DNA and fingerprints from seven other people were found at the scene, and that first responders and shop staff had not been ruled out through sample comparison.
Customs handed over two Indian nationals – Jennifer Paul, 34 and Ulfath Rasool, 23 – to police on April 1 after intercepting more than 2kg of drugs they allegedly smuggled through Velana International Airport. Both have been remanded in custody for 15 days pending investigation.
Bank of Maldives developed a sensory classroom called "IWonder" at Aminiya School, which has more than 170 students in its special educational needs classes. BML said it has now supported SEN classroom development at six schools and donated equipment to SEN classes in 40 schools nationwide.
Bank of Maldives awarded its sports scholarship to surfer Sayyid Salahuddin, who will train in China, the Philippines and Indonesia and compete in Australia. The fully funded scholarship, run in partnership with the Maldives Olympic Committee, has supported eight athletes since its inception.
