The Local Government Authority suspended the Thinadhoo mayor and deputy mayor without pay for three months and one month, respectively, following an inquiry into 19 complaints, including alleged dereliction of duty, misuse of resources and ethical misconduct. They were also accused of unilaterally approving pay rises and disregarding LGA and atoll council instructions. Formal warnings were issued against four other council members and the president of the Women’s Development Committee, who were ordered to return excess allowances. The MDP condemned the suspensions as politically motivated and accused the ruling party of defaming opposition-majority councils ahead of next year's elections.
A warrant officer who was lost at sea after an MNDF landing craft capsized in the Kaashidhoo channel was found dead during a search and rescue operation. Ali Hamid, a veteran with 27 years of service, was buried with honours. Of the six people (three soldiers and three foreigners) onboard when the accident occurred en route from Malé to Lhaviyani atoll around 10:30am, four were rescued at sea. But one of the foreigners who was lost with Hamid remained missing.
The Supreme Court began hearings in a case to unseat ruling party lawmaker Mohamed Sinan over the failure to repay MVR 2.5 million (US$ 162,100) owed to the Maldives Islamic Bank. As the constitution states that an MP “becomes immediately disqualified if he has decreed debt which is not being paid as provided in the judgment," the petitioner argued that the PNC MP for Hithadhoo North should be disqualified over non-compliance with a Hithadhoo magistrate court order from October 2024. Sinan reportedly settled the outstanding dues of MVR 1.3 million on February 13 after the case was filed at the Supreme Court. The magistrate court judgment had been delivered in absentia and Sinan only found out much later, his lawyer told the court at Wednesday's hearing.
The Maldives Journalists Association called on the information ministry to allow three newly-elected members of the Maldives Media Council to take up their posts. Leevan Ali Naseer from the opposition-aligned Adhadhu won Saturday's by-election along with Dhauru journalist Mohamed Muzzayin Nazim and Hawwa Wajdha as a member of the public. Citing a complaint from a losing candidate, the ministry was yet to formally appoint them to the print and online media regulator, eight of whose 15 members are elected by media outlets.
Speaking at a press briefing about activities planned to celebrate the MDP's 20th anniversary on Thursday – including a flag-hoisting ceremony, a futsal tournament, and a Youth Wing podcast launching event – Chairman Fayyaz Ismail said he intends to seek the party's presidential ticket for the 2028 election as previously announced, despite interest expressed by former presidents Nasheed and Solih.
The government intends to complete the integrated national public ferry network by the end of 2025, Transport Minister Mohamed Ameen announced, as the RTL speedboat ferry service was introduced in Raa atoll.
President Muizzu declared July 28 as a public holiday, extending the Independence Day holidays to a four-day weekend to celebrate 60 years of independence.
The Bank of Maldives introduced ENV POS (point of sale) terminals to enable contributions to fund environmental initiatives.
The Islamic ministry set uniform times between prayer calls and the congregational prayer with 15 minutes for the dawn prayer, 12 minutes for the afternoon prayers, eight minutes for the evening prayer and 10 minutes for the night prayer.
