The Maldives Journalists Association submitted a petition signed by 151 journalists from 41 outlets calling on the parliament and the president to reject the "media control bill." The petition reflects a consensus of the Maldivian journalism community, which it estimated to be between 170 and 200 workers, the MJA said.
Asset declarations of 88 MPs were published on the parliament website, covering their income and wealth for the year since the 20th Majlis convened in May 2024. The financial disclosures of four ruling party lawmakers - Ahmed Xamyr (Central Mahchangolhi), Mohamed Musthafa Ibrahim (West Maafannu), Mohamed Shamin Habeeb (Kurendhoo) and Ismail Nizar (North Feydhoo) - as well as MNP’s Mohamed Nazim (North Maafannu) were absent. It is unclear whether they had failed to submit ahead of last Thursday's deadline. MP Ismail Nizar called for the media regulation bill to be fast-tracked following critical coverage of his missing asset declaration.
Fruit prices soared 10.20 percent in August compared to the same period last year. The annual inflation rate of essential commodities in Malé stood at 1.92 percent last month as the spike in the price of fruit was offset by a 6.32 percent decline in the price of vegetables. The price of coffee and coffee substitutes was up 8.22 percent from August 2024.
The housing ministry began clearing and marking boundaries to hand over plots of land awarded from Gulhifalhu under the previous administration’s Binveriya scheme.
The Malé City Council’s weekly meeting was cancelled for the second consecutive week after it failed to reach a quorum. The council is due to summon and question its legal section head Ali Naseer over the awarding of two contracts to redevelop the fish market.
An anonymous X user posted a detailed cost breakdown of MPs using the airport's VIP lounge. State-funded expenses for all MPs amounted to MVR 1.5 million (US$ 97,276), according to data obtained through a right to information request. Deputy Speaker Ahmed Nazim incurred MVR 116,099 from 133 VIP visits. A separate RTI filing revealed expenditure of MVR 18.9 million on health insurance for former lawmakers.
The founding story of local NGO Tiny Hearts of Maldives was featured among 10 global petitions launched by the World Heart Federation calling on governments to expand care and screening for high blood pressure. Cardiovascular disease is responsible for 37 percent of all deaths in the Maldives.
The national carrier Maldivian operated an inaugural seaplane flight to Baa Kamadhoo ahead of launching regular flights next week.
The Ihavandhoo island council unveiled a concept drawing and 3D rendering of a new jetty and monument designed in the shape of a fishing boat, seeking public opinion about the plans.
Assistant Police Commissioners Mohamed Jamsheed and Ahmed Mohamed were reinstated after the High Court overturned their dismissals by the police disciplinary board three years ago.
The SME Development Finance Corporation announced the appointment of Bank of Maldives CEO Mohamed Shareef as its new chairman. Badhurudheen Hassan, BML's former director of retail and SME banking, was appointed as SDFC's new managing director. According to the bank's audit report for 2023, 41 percent of loans worth MVR 1.5 billion granted to 1,428 parties over five years were classified as non-performing.
