Some 31 cartons of seized cigarettes went missing from the Vilimalé police station, police confirmed. Six cartons from a batch of 32 seized from an expatriate on May 23 were found to be missing before they were to be handed over to Customs on November 12. A subsequent investigation revealed that 25 additional cartons seized from two expatriates on December 23 last year had also gone missing. The Professional Standards Command is investigating the matter alongside a separate criminal probe, police said in a statement, calling the loss an "unacceptable" ethical violation, and vowing to identify those responsible and take necessary action.
President Muizzu called on the film industry to remain within Islamic bounds following public outrage over a man who attended a film premier wearing a floral-patterned shalwar kameez outfit on Thursday nights. Images from the film Lily's red-carpet premiere at the Olympus theatre in Malé were widely shared on social media and some of the criticism was directed towards the government. Muizzu said on X that all Maldivians must respect societal norms and set an example for younger generations. The Creative Network Studio, the production team behind Lily, responded by saying that it does not support nor endorse any attire that goes against cultural values. The event's dress code was “Maldivian Royal with a Modern Touch,” and anyone dressed otherwise was not an invitee of the production team, the studio said.
Deputy Education Minister Mohamed Sujau was suspended with pay on Wednesday after some of his family members met former president Yameen. Sujau's brother Ahmed Sobah, president of Haa Alif Ihavandhoo Council, and his brother-in-law Mohamed Areeb, the council's vice president, had met Yameen on the sidelines of the Thilauthuru Awards in Dhidhdhoo on October 26, where Yameen was chief guest, Adhadhu reported. Education Minister Dr Ismail Shafeeu confirmed the President's Office order for the suspension but gave no reason. Another family member, Shahma Moosa, a political director of Ihavandhoo Health Centre, was also suspended. Shafeeu said political appointees face action for violating their code of conduct.
A three-year-old girl Maldivian girl was featured in an Instagram video from UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador David Beckam’s account to mark the World Children’s Day.
The criminal court remanded Mohamed Faseeh, 51, a peer mentor at the National Drug Agency, for 15 days, following his arrest on allegations of supplying drugs and engaging in inappropriate relationships with addicts undergoing rehabilitation.
An audit report released on Thursday recommended the appeal of a civil court ruling for the state to pay Sun Front over MVR 20.8 million (US$ 1.3 million) in compensation. But court records showed the appeal had been filed in July. The local retailer had paid for land in Malé's southwest harbour in 2010, but the government never handed over the land or returned the money. According to the audit, the civil court used estimates instead of actual financial data to calculate damages. The state should only pay MVR 10.7 million, it concluded. Sun Front had agreed in court to accept this lower amount after the state challenged the original MVR 20 million claim.
President Muizzu will hold the first of a series of ward meetings with Malé residents on Sunday, the president's spokeswoman announced. The first meeting is due to take place in Vilimalé's Muhyiddeen School at 8:30pm followed by the other wards of Malé and Hulhumalé.
Former MP Ali Azim launched his campaign for the opposition MDP's ticket to run for mayor of Malé in next year's local council elections. He will face off against the incumbent Mayor Adam Azim, who is seeking re-election.
