MTCC completed the first segment of an MVR 144 million (US$ 9.3 million) project to expand Malé's ring road on the northern waterfront and opened the new four-lane drive to the public. The new asphalt road will help ease traffic congestion, while a stormwater drainage system will reduce flooding during heavy rainfall, according to the state-owned contractor. The other segments include widening the road from the fish market to the north harbour and from the official jetty to the Henveiru ferry terminal.
The government granted a permit to Crystal Holdings for the development of the country's first "sustainable township project" under the special economic zones law. The initial investment will exceed US$ 790 million with operations to commence by 2028, according to the economic development ministry. The township in Noonu atoll will "combine luxury tourism and residential components" powered by a minimum of 60 percent renewable energy and feature a hospitality school, a healthcare and wellness facility, and a dedicated island for "advanced agriculture and aquaculture system aimed at strengthening national food security," the ministry said.
At a joint press briefing in Malé, the mayors of Malé and Kulhudhuffushi accused the government of paralysing councils with amendments made to the Decentralisation Act in August. The changes banned collecting rent on public service properties, restricted the ability to run businesses and required approval for hiring staff, leasing land and starting development projects during a council's final year in office. The inability to lease land has caused financial losses and overtime pay now only applies after eight hours instead of six for employees working six-hour shifts, the mayors said.
The criminal court sentenced Hamdhoon Hamzath to death after convicting him of murdering Ibrahim Ageel, 19, in August 2018. In the guilty verdict, Judge Ali Adam accused criminal gangs, relatives of defendants and defence lawyers of intimidating witnesses, referring to an eyewitness retracting his statement in the case after previously identifying the assailants. Death threats and intimidation of witnesses have become "a serious challenge to the criminal justice system," the judge said.
TGI Fridays announced plans to open outlets in Malé, entering a master franchise agreement with local partner Brew and Feast Holdings to launch the restaurant chain in the Maldives.
A 32-year-old Maldivian woman stabbed her 64-year-old partner in the back during a violent altercation at a Malé residence. The incident followed a quarrel between the couple, police said. Both individuals sustained injuries and the case remains under investigation.
Meeting the press after his election as the MDP's interim chairman, MP Ghafoor urged contenders for the 2028 presidential ticket to put the party's interest ahead of personal ambition. The opposition party can manage internal strife and disputes between rival factions, the veteran lawmaker told reporters.
High Court Judge Mohamed Niyaz retired from the bench after 23 years in the judiciary, including nearly seven years in the appeals court. Niyaz, who also recently resigned as vice president of the Judicial Service Commission, submitted his retirement request last month, citing his long service and health considerations. The move came after the JSC launched ethics probes against Niyaz. The watchdog approved his retirement despite the ongoing investigations into alleged ethical misconduct.
Ibrahim Haleem, CEO of the Malé City Group of Hospitals, was appointed chairman of the new State Pharmaceutical and Medical Supply. The company, which was established on September 9 with Dr Shah Mahir as managing director, is currently in the process of taking over all STO pharmacies on inhabited islands. The full transfer is expected to take three to six months.
The Elections Commission published the provisional list of electoral constituencies for the local council elections on April 4, 2026, opening it for public complaints until next Monday. Under recent amendments to the Decentralisation Act, 133 islands with populations under 2,000 will elect three councillors each (one seat reserved for women), while 46 islands with populations over 2,000 will elect five councillors each (two seats reserved for women), totaling 629 councillors and 629 Women's Development Committee members across 226 constituencies. The largest councils will be Malé City with 18 councillors (six women's quota seats) and Addu City with 11 members including the mayor (four women's quota seats), while Fuvahmulah City will have nine members (three women's quota seats) and Kulhudhuffushi and Thinadhoo will each have seven members (two women's quota seats).
The civil court dismissed a case filed by the Noonu Atoll Council in 2023 challenging the previous government's decision to lease Kendhivaru and Donaerikendhoodhoo islands for long-term tourism development without mandatory consultation. The judge dismissed the case after no representative appeared in court to represent the council. The council's retained lawyers had withdrawn, citing the expiration of their retainer agreement, and no replacement representation was submitted. According to the council, both islands are ecologically sensitive areas with endangered species and serve as key locations for atoll residents' travel, recreation, and economic activities like palm tapping and coconut harvesting.
President Muizzu appointed Ahmed Sobah, a 21-year veteran who previously served as deputy superintendent of prisons, as the new deputy commissioner of the Maldives Correctional Service. Sobah replaced Ibrahim Mohamed Didi, who retired on November 26 after two decades.
The Anti-Corruption Commission issued a guideline outlining international principles and standards for managing conflicts of interest among public officials. The directive provides instructions on identifying and addressing conflicts of interest, employee awareness and training, monitoring procedures, and establishing transparent systems that build public trust.
