Former President Nasheed's brother, lawyer Nazim Sattar, was stabbed shortly after midnight on Saturday. Police said they were notified at 12:09am of a 49-year-old man brought to ADK Hospital in Malé with stab injuries. Multiple media outlets identified the victim as Nazim Sattar, whose condition was reportedly not serious.
Emperor Explorer, a 42-metre live-aboard vessel anchored off the coast of Hulhumalé caught fire on Saturday evening. Police said it was notified of the fire shortly before 5pm. Two crew members affected by smoke were treated at Hulhumalé hospital. The 35-bed yacht is leased to a dive operator by Sun Holidays Pvt Ltd, a company owned by MP Ibrahim Falah, leader of the ruling PNC's supermajority in parliament.
An on-chain analysis raised serious concerns about the $CWU cryptocurrency token, which had been promoted in the names of former heads of state and senior officials including former President Nasheed and former foreign minister Abdulla Shahid, alongside former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo, former Mauritian President Ameenah Gurib-Fakim, former Maltese Prime Minister Joseph Muscat, and former Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe. According to the analysis, 73 percent of the token's one billion supply was distributed across 195 wallets that had been funded within six lamports (one billionth of a SOL) of each other and had created their token accounts within a one-second window on April 9, indicating they were almost certainly controlled by a single entity. The analyst published the scripts to reproduce the findings on GitHub. Shahid denied any involvement in the project, saying his only engagement with Commonwealth Union had been an interview on international affairs and that he had told the organisation not to use his name or image. Nasheed, who retweeted CWU posts, has not publicly addressed the project.
A police, Immigration and homeland security ministry joint task force launched the third phase of Operation Kurangi, targeting migrant workers who refused to submit biometric data over the past two years. Immigration said multiple teams carried out 639 raids across Greater Malé, screening 1,344 migrant workers and detaining 254 individuals found without valid visas. Notices were issued to 44 Maldivians suspected of illegally employing migrant workers. Those who fail to comply with will face legal action, Immigration warned. The detained migrant workers are to be deported. The homeland security ministry said 98 percent of valid work visa holders had submitted their biometric.
The Committee to Protect Journalists and six other press freedom and human rights organisations wrote to President Muizzu, urging him to stop using the criminal justice system against Adhadhu. The letter also expressed concern over an order by the Broadcasting Commission directing Channel 13 to stop airing live coverage of opposition protests. The groups issued several recommendations, including the immediate return of all seized materials, protection of confidential sources, lifting of travel bans imposed on journalists, handling of media disputes through civil remedies rather than criminal proceedings, and ensuring that any government action against the press are in line with the constitution and international human rights standards.
The Met office warned of strong winds linked to a low-level circulation that developed southeast of the Maldives. A low-pressure trough also remains over the northeastern part of the country, creating favourable conditions for the onset of the southwest monsoon. According to the Met, squally showers are highly likely over the next five days, particularly across the southern and central atolls. Seafarers were advised to stay updated on weather conditions and to take the necessary precautions.
The Health Protection Agency said the risk of the Hantavirus spreading to the Maldives remains low. No infected individuals or anyone who had been in contact with an infected person have been identified in the country so far. The HPA said it has been monitoring the disease through the World Health Organisation following an outbreak aboard the MV Hondius, a Dutch cruise liner operating in the South American region.
Upon returning to Malé from the 10th Indian Ocean Dialogue in New Delhi, former President Nasheed told reporters that he had spoken with Mauritius’ foreign minister during the event and that the country was open to dialogue to restoring diplomatic ties. Nasheed also said he had discussed the foreign currency shortage with senior Indian government officials, adding that neighbouring countries would be reluctant to assist if they believed the funds provided were being wasted. His remarks prompted a reprimand from the foreign ministry, which said public comments on foreign policy, regional security and international partnerships – “especially by those who have held high public office” – carry “significant implications”. The ministry urged “utmost care and judgement when speaking on matters affecting the country’s national interests and external relations.”
Police warned the public against renting out bank accounts or taking part in “money mule” schemes, citing a rise in social media ads on platforms such as TikTok and Telegram offering daily payments for access to personal bank accounts. Such activities are criminal offences under anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing laws, as well as banking regulations, as they conceal the true beneficiary of transactions, police said. Those who hand over control of their accounts could be treated as accomplices in laundering criminal proceeds and face legal consequences if illicit transactions are conducted through their accounts. Police also warned that participating in such schemes breaches banking laws and account agreements, potentially resulting in restrictions from the banking system. Banks will continue reporting suspicious transactions to the central bank’s Financial Intelligence Unit, police added, warning that legal action will be taken against those involved.
Police said a 32-year-old Maldivian man was arrested on Thursday on suspicion of involvement in a child sexual abuse case reported from a northern island on April 27.
Bank of Maldives is currently selling US$ 1.33 million per day for Rufiyaa-card transactions, BML spokesperson Mohamed Saeed told state media, defending recent reductions to dollar card limits as necessary given tightening dollar inflows. The bank's decisions affected a large portion of the population and were taken only after careful consideration of the economic situation, he said. The decline in tourists arrivals linked to the Middle East war had directly reduced the flow of dollars into the country, he noted. As the Maldives is "100 percent dependent on imports," Saeed said available dollars must be prioritised for essential goods such as fuel, food and pharmaceuticals over spending on foreign online platforms. He said limits would be eased once dollar earnings improved. The bank's recent reductions to Rufiyaa card dollar limits have prompted complaints from customers whose cards routinely fail during subscriptions and online payments.
The Criminal Court issued the first order under the amended Drugs Act to close a property used for the consumption of narcotics, police said. The court ordered the closure of Henveiru Gunzaru in Malé for 90 days from 5 May. Amendments to the Drugs Act that came into force in March give police the power to issue 24-hour closure notices for suspected "drug dens." Courts are authorised to extend closures for up to three months. Operating such a premises is punishable by up to five years in prison and a fine of up to MVR 100,000 (US$ 6,485) with property owners, tenants and persons in charge also liable if they knowingly permit the activity. Entering a closed property without authorisation during the closure period is also an offence, and police said the strongest legal action would be taken against anyone who enters or damages such properties.
The infrastructure ministry will relocate one of three planned social housing towers in Vilimalé to the STELCO site after deciding to avoid felling trees on the original plot. Two of the towers in the 300-unit project will be built next to the funavaa grove opposite Muhyiddin School, with the third now to be built near the STELCO site instead. The ministry said preserving large funa trees had been a consistent priority throughout the project. Bank of Maldives laid the foundation for the 300-unit project in February. The 17-storey towers are being built by Rasheed Carpentry and Construction on land granted rent-free, with completion targeted for mid-2028. The project is part of BML Affordable Home Leasing Company's plan – the BML subsidiary established under the Maldives Monetary Authority's Inclusive National Affordable Housing framework – to deliver 3,260 housing units across Vilimalé and the two phases of Hulhumalé.
President Muizzu announced changes to MNDF retirement and posting regulations at the 134th anniversary of the Maldives National Defence Force, saying the existing rule that forces soldiers out if they remain in a single rank for a fixed period would be amended to let those serving with dedication remain in service. Muizzu said the current retirement framework was unjust and would be revised so that benefits scale with years of service. Under the present rules, soldiers retiring after 30 years receive the same benefits as those who serve 35. He also said the government would expand area commands so soldiers could serve in postings closer to their families' home islands, and would increase the number of soldiers receiving basic housing through government schemes. He confirmed plans to enlarge the force, with this year's budget allocating funds for new recruitment. At the ceremony he conferred decorations including the Distinguished Service Medal, the Presidential Medal and the Long Service Medal, and inaugurated the MNDF Service Corps' new School of Engineering and Logistics in Baa Kihaadhoo. Muizzu also announced a major housing project for soldiers and police at Bandeyri Koshi, with construction targeted to begin within eight months and the existing residents to be temporarily relocated. He acknowledged that the 100 flats each allocated for soldiers and police under the current Family Housing programme were inadequate and said the figure would be increased.
Ten people were injured when a passenger ferry between Kudagiri and Malé lost engine power and struck the harbour wall, Adhadhu reported. The incident occurred around 10:45am on Friday as the ferry approached the jetty. One child suffered a head wound. The injured were brought back to Malé on an HDC launch. Sources told Adhadhu the Kudagiri-Malé ferries operated by the Housing Development Corporation have had recurring mechanical issues that have not been permanently resolved. HDC did not respond to Adhadhu's calls for comment.
Immigration said it will begin issuing non-electronic passports to applicants due to delays in procuring additional passport booklets required for printing electronic passports. Holders of the non-electronic passports will be able to renew them before their five-year expiry without paying a cancellation fee. Immigration assured the public that the non-electronic passport is also machine-readable and complies with standards set by the International Civil Aviation Organisation.
Former MP Mohamed Ramiz passed away. He served as MP for the Huvadhu Atoll North constituency in the 15th People's Majlis and as MP for Villingili in the 17th People's Majlis. He was also a member of the Special Majlis.
