President Muizzu merged the fisheries and agriculture portfolios and reappointed Fisheries Minister Ahmed Shiyam to the new Ministry of Fisheries, Agriculture and Ocean Resources. Hassan Rasheed was appointed to the renamed Ministry of Defence and National Service. The local government ministry was abolished as part of the administrative overhaul and several offices were redistributed under the newly established ministries. The Civil Service Commission said the changes will result in six permanent secretaries losing their posts. Following the resignation of 10 ministers on Tuesday, the number of ministries was reduced from 20 to 15, and four new ministers were added to the cabinet. The president reportedly plans to lay off 500 political appointees.
A Spanish tourist was attacked by a shark while swimming near Gaaf Alif Kooddoo on Saturday. One of his legs needed to be amputated due to the severity of the injuries, police said. He was initially treated in the intensive care unit at Gaaf Alif Atoll Hospital before being transferred to Malé for further treatment.
The Criminal Court convicted Mohamed Nizam of manslaughter for pushing Bangladeshi national Mohamed Liton overboard during a boat trip from Villimalé in 2022, marking the first conviction in a case where the victim remains missing. Delivering the verdict, Judge Mohamed Misbah said Nizam had confessed to police, admitting he pushed Liton into the sea near Kaafu Gulhifalhu and describing the incident. The court noted Liton’s chances of survival were minimal, as he was thrown overboard at night in waters far from any island, with no sign he has been alive since. The judge also found that Nizam was alone with Liton and had a prior dispute with him. However, there was insufficient evidence to prove intent to kill beyond reasonable doubt and he was convicted of manslaughter under the Penal Code for a reckless act causing death.
Several ongoing projects have been stalled due to difficulties in sourcing construction aggregate, Infrastructure Minister Dr Abdulla Muththalib told parliament. Responding to an MP, he said the Maldives imports aggregate from the UAE, but supply has been disrupted by the ongoing Middle East conflict. He added that the government is now looking to India as an alternative source. He also criticised the Addu and Malé city councils, saying the central government is still expected to maintain roads despite providing “hundreds of millions” in block grants from the state budget.
Mohamed Hussain Shareef ‘Mundhu’ was appointed as the chief government spokesperson at the President’s Office, in a newly formed ministerial rank position. He was previously serving as the ambassador to the UAE.
A member of parliament who is removed from his party will not lose his seat under the current situation, state lawyers argued at the Supreme Court. At a hearing for a constitutional challenge to anti-defection provisions added to the constitution, state lawyers argued that the rules stipulate that a member “removed from their party in accordance with the law” will lose their seat but that it refers to a law that has yet to be enacted.
A 59-year-old man was found underwater at Bodavakivaa Beach in Kulhudhuffushi at around 3pm, after police launched a search following reports he was missing. He was taken to Kulhudhuffushi Regional Hospital, where he was declared dead, police said.
A 17-year-old girl who sought medical attention at a southern island was found to be pregnant, police said. The case is being investigated by police in coordination with other relevant institutions.
Ahmed Naushaad, a 41-year-old detainee at Malé Custodial, was found dead in his cell on Wednesday evening. Police said he was pronounced dead after being taken to IGMH, adding that an autopsy will be carried out to determine the cause of death. The Human Rights Commission and the National Integrity Commission have been notified of the incident, police said.
The Met office forecast rain for large parts of the country until Friday.
MTCC said the renovation of the tsunami monument park in Malé.
