Junk rating, cool classrooms and Telegram scams

Fitch affirmed its CC credit rating for the Maldives at "junk" status, reflecting an assessment that a "default event of some sort remains probable". The ability to refinance "impending large external debt-servicing obligations" remains uncertain despite foreign currency reserves growing from a record low in September. The government acknowledged the "need for a credible fiscal consolidation strategy" but insisted that "rationalising public spending" and transitioning to renewable energy could help achieve debt sustainability.

The education ministry contracted Fenaka to install air conditioners in all public schools. The “Cool School” initiative was estimated to cost MVR 55 million (US$ 3.5 million).

The police Anti-Scam Centre urged the public to implement security measures after several Telegram accounts were hacked and losses from 35 scams reported during the Eid holidays amounted to MVR 270,000.

Police began towing vehicles parked on Malé’s main thoroughfare Majeedhee Magu.

UAE budget airline Air Arabia announced the doubling of daily flights to the Maldives in October, reflecting growing demand from Middle Eastern tourists. 

Criticism of the government over the failure to secure 96 percent of projected grant aid was “unfair” as foreign policy remains largely unchanged, ex-president Waheed told SSTV.

President Muizzu expressed profound sadness over the tragic crash of an Air India flight.

Police sought charges over a robbery at knifepoint in a Malé shop last month. The 36-year-old man had previously been arrested 52 times in connection with various offences.

A 35-year-old Bangladeshi man who was arrested after attempting to claim an air cargo shipment with 18kg of drugs was released with police citing lack of evidence linking him to the smuggling operation.

The phone and laptop of Mohamed ‘Yaya’ Nabeel, a TikTok creator known for crossdressing, were seized with a court order on May 27, police revealed to the media.

The civil court rejected a case filed by the Housing Development Corporation to recover MVR 49 million from Sea Life after the state-owned company was forced to reimburse apartment buyers defrauded by the developer. The court’s decision followed HDC’s request to withdraw the case due to Sea Life’s failure to respond. The annulment left open the option for HDC to resubmit the case.

The police Cyber Crime Centre took part in an Interpol operation that dismantled "over 20,000 malicious IP addresses and domains associated with information-stealing malware" designed to extract sensitive data. The Maldives police "gathered, analysed, and shared intelligence related to malicious cyber infrastructure impacting the country."

Parliament opened applications for a member of public to serve on the Judicial Service Commission. The five-year term of the current member, Aminath Ummu Kulsoom, is due to expire in August.