Six-year-old Ibrahim Azaan Suhail, who had spastic quadriplegic cerebral palsy, died at IGMH after an eight-month delay in obtaining a PEG feeding tube, his only means of nutrition. His mother said she ordered two tubes through STO under the Aasandha insurance scheme last year but they never arrived despite repeated calls and visits. By the time IGMH procurement finally obtained the tube last Sunday, Azaan had been admitted with breathing difficulties and was too critical for it to be inserted. The tube costs around US$ 100. The Human Rights Commission and the Children's Ombudsperson both launched investigations. HRCM said it would examine whether the state upheld its constitutional obligations on the right to life and healthcare. The Ombudsperson urged the public and media not to share the child's photos or personal details for political purposes. Public anger turned on NSPA CEO Heena Waleed, who simultaneously serves as presidential spokeswoman. Critics questioned whether a part-time head can effectively run an agency responsible for healthcare access. The government has not formally responded.
Police arrested a former TVM producer on charges of grooming and sexually abusing a minor, and possession of child sexual abuse material. The suspect, 37-year-old Musal Mueen of Gaaf Dhaal Fiyoree, was arrested on March 26 and remanded for 15 days. Mueen, who produced children’s programs for TVM, was dismissed from the station after the case surfaced four months ago.
The Prosecutor General's office released two men charged with leading a major drug trafficking and money laundering network in Fuvahmulah, just days before the April 4 local council elections and referendum, Adhadhu reported. Hassan Aazim, 29, and Ahmed Niushad, 34, faced charges of running an organised crime network that laundered MVR 27.7 million (US$1.8 million) between 2019 and 2024, with prosecutors previously seeking forfeiture of five cars, two pickups, a vessel and MVR 1.1 million in bank funds. The PG Office has not explained the reason for the release, and the move has drawn public criticism, particularly as six suspects from a similar drug network in Addu City were also recently released ahead of the same election.
Islamic Minister Dr Shaheem urged the public and scholars to protect the Maldives' religious unity amid an ongoing Sunni-Shia debate, warning against spreading sectarian beliefs in ways that could mislead the public. He called on citizens to remain vigilant against efforts to divide the Muslim community along ideological lines, and advised that only qualified scholars should speak on matters of sectarian doctrine.
Police denied media reports that newly appointed Professional Standards Command head Assistant Commissioner Hussein Rasheed had faced disciplinary action a decade ago, stating that records show no complaints, investigations, or disciplinary measures have ever been taken against him. Police insisted that his appointment followed all established procedures.
The housing ministry began handing over plots in Hulhumalé's Phase 3 under the Binvereya scheme, with 15 plots distributed following boundary demarcation. Agreements have so far been signed with 337 of the eligible recipients, with handovers continuing as more agreements are finalised. A total of 698 plots ranging from 1,650 to 4,000 square feet will be allocated in the area.
The Bank of Maldives broke ground on 300 affordable housing units in Vilimalé, comprising three 17-storey towers with 900 sq ft three-bedroom apartments. Construction, awarded to RCC, is expected to be completed by mid-2028. The Vilimalé project follows the launch of 1,224 units in Hulhumalé last week, bringing BML's total affordable housing pipeline to 3,260 units across Hulhumalé 1, Hulhumalé 2, and Vilimalé under a lease-to-own model.
The Supreme Court rebuffed suggestions that the upcoming referendum on holding simultaneous presidential and parliamentary elections conceals a shortening of parliament's term. Justice Hussein Shaheed challenged MDP lawyers to clarify what was being concealed, given the bill is publicly available on parliament's website. MDP lawyers argued voters should not need to read the bill to understand its implications, and that the ballot question must explicitly state that the current parliament's term will be cut short by approximately six months. The chief justice said the next hearing will only be held if further clarification is needed, otherwise the court will proceed directly to a ruling. The state argued that the constitution does not specify how referendum questions must be worded, and that discretion rests with the president under the referendum law. MDP lawyers countered that since the bill shortens the current parliament's term by six months, the ballot question must explicitly reflect this so voters can make an informed decision.
Former President Yameen urged voters not to support any PNC candidates in the April 4 council elections, saying the ruling party has been given its chance and has brought the country to its current state. Speaking at a PNF rally themed around Chagos, Yameen said Muizzu's push to hold presidential and parliamentary elections together was not in his manifesto and is a ploy to protect his presidency because he knows he cannot defend it. He dismissed the government's austerity talk as a "blatant lie," noting it ignored World Bank advice to cut spending over the past two years.
The Privatisation and Corporatisation Board deflected an RTI request from Adhadhu for SOE directors' financial statements by referring it to the finance ministry, despite the RTI Act requiring disclosure of information already in its possession. Under the SOE Directors' Code of Conduct, all directors must submit financial statements to the PCB and publish them on company websites by January 31 each year, but many have missed the deadline. The request, filed by Adhadhu, sought details on which companies complied, which directors filed or failed to file, and copies of submitted statements, none of which have been provided.
Bank of Maldives posted a net profit of US$ 162.14 million in 2025, up 9.87 percent year-on-year, CEO Mohamed Shareef announced. The bank's USD foreign exchange sales to individuals and businesses rose 70 percent to US$ 36.64 million, while TT dollar issuance jumped from five percent to 50 percent. BML also issued a record US$ 648.51 million in new loans to individuals and SMEs, the highest single-year lending volume in the bank's history.
Police searched the area under the Sinamalé bridge on the Malé side after video published by Dhuvas showed people living beneath the structure with makeshift bedding and surrounded by rubbish. Police said they found evidence the space was being used for habitation and are working with relevant agencies to address the situation, including providing social support to those who may need it.
Nearly MVR 31.9 million of the transport ministry's 2021 recorded revenue cannot be verified as accurate, an audit report flagged, citing systemic failures across multiple revenue collection portals. Auditors found that the ministry relied on BML gateway reports rather than its own ePortal to reconcile revenue, while receipt numbers and dates were found to change when regenerated, making it impossible to confirm which financial year transactions belonged to. The audit recommends upgrading revenue portals to generate daily and monthly reports, and reconciling portal totals against bank deposits before finalising financial statements.
The Badminton Association approved a US$ 674,448 annual budget at its first AGM since regaining legal status after a two-year suspension, with plans covering domestic tournaments across atolls, new court construction, and international competition. The national team will compete in six BWF international tournaments this year, beginning with the South Asian Regional Junior Championship in Pakistan in April, and including the 20th Asian Games.
Belarusian tour operators are in discussions to launch direct Belavia Airlines flights from Minsk to the Maldives from August, operating seasonally through October or November. Belarusian arrivals have been growing steadily, from around 4,000 in 2022 to 5,900 in 2023. The route would add the Maldives to Belavia's long-haul network alongside China, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, and Thailand.
