On his official visit to China to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation Summit, President Muizzu met Chinese President Xi Jinping. Bilateral talks focused on “key areas of cooperation, including economic development, trade and investment, security collaboration, and fostering people-to-people connections.”
Appearing before a parliamentary committee reviewing a controversial media regulation bill, both the Broadcasting Commission and Media Council strongly opposed the legislation proposed to merge the regulators into a new seven-member watchdog. Broadcom members raised questions about the lack of research and consultation in drafting the bill’. Their repeated written requests to be consulted had been ignored, members told MPs. The Media Council's members reiterated their call to reject the bill. Both regulators highlighted the insufficient budget to effectively monitor content and fulfil its oversight mandate, stressing that creating a new commission without staff or resources would not serve the bill's stated purpose.
ޭEnvironmentalists expressed concern over the plans to reclaim 13 hectares in Baa Dhonfanu, an island next to the protected Hanifaru Bay in the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. An agreement to reclaim land in Dhonfanu was signed during President Muizzu’s visit to Baa atoll last month, citing land scarcity for the small island with fewer than 400 people.
The Bank of Maldives purchased a 28,507 square feet plot of land from Hulhumalé for MVR 154 million (US$ 9.9 million). The bank is expected to relocate its headquarters to the plot on the west side of Central Park in phase one.
Three Sri Lankan men were deported over the illegal sale of alcohol in Malé. A police raid on their Henveiru residence found 19 bottles and 12 cans.
The judiciary's employment regulations were amended to permit female court staff to wear the full-face niqab, following approval from the Judicial Service Commission last week. The rules previously prohibited clothing that conceals identity. Under the revised rules, women wearing the niqab are required to show their face to another female staff member if identity verification is needed.
The Palestine national football team will hold a training camp in the Maldives this November, during which they will play friendly matches against the Maldives Under-17 national team, The Football Association of Maldives said, seeking government support for the camp.
Brigadier General Ahmed Nasheed retired with honours after 37 years of service.
