A 64 year-old woman was killed in Laamu Kahdhoo on Friday night after being struck by a speeding motorbike. Police said the accident occurred while two women were crossing the road at a zebra crossing on the Gan-Fonadhoo link road, when a motorbike travelling from Laamu Fonadhoo hit them. All three were taken to Gan Regional Hospital, where the woman died from her injuries.
Hundreds of people gathered in Malé and across the country on Friday evening to show solidarity with Palestine and demand an end to Israel’s war on Gaza. In Malé, crowds filled Maafannu Stadium for the rally, which was organised by the International Aid Campaign along with other civil society groups. Addressing the gathering, Islamic Minister Dr Mohamed Shaheem urged people to take part in resisting Israeli oppression in every possible way and called on Israel to open its borders to allow humanitarian aid.
Islamic Minister Dr Mohamed Shaheem Ali Saeed denied reports that his son, Maahil Shaheem, was stopped by customs for attempting to smuggle vape devices into the country upon arrival from Malaysia. In a post on X, Shaheem dismissed claims that his son had taped vape devices to his body and said that Maahil does not work at the Maldivian embassy in Malaysia.
The Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) received its largest naval vessel as a “generous gift” from Türkiye at a special ceremony held in Hulhumalé on Friday night. The ship was officially handed over by Admiral Kadir Yıldız, Commander of Türkiye’s Naval Fleet, to MNDF Chief of Defence Major General Ibrahim Hilmy. President Muizzu attended the ceremony and unveiled the vessel’s name, ‘Dharumavantha’.
Malé City Mayor Adam Azim alleged that the Malé fish market was unlawfully leased during President Muizzu’s tenure as mayor. Speaking at last Wednesday’s city council sitting, Azim said the council’s bid committee had approved a lease amount of MVR 130,000 (US$8347), but the agreement was instead signed with a company named FJ Design for MVR 70,000 (US$4543). He further noted that unpaid electricity bills at the market have accumulated to MVR 437,000 (US$28,360).
Police said part of an old building that once housed the Education Development Centre in Malé collapsed, damaging a neighbouring building as well as two cars and two motorbikes.
Former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom and the Jumhooree Party have announced plans to pursue legal action against Yameen Abdul Gayoom, after he accused Maumoon, JP leader Gasim Ibrahim, and Gasim’s son Siyad Gasim of bribing Supreme Court judges in 2018 during Yameen’s administration. Yameen made the explosive allegations in a 90-minute interview with Adhadhu last week.
Police, in collaboration with Malé City Council and the Local Government Ministry, began towing abandoned vehicles left on the streets of Malé. On Saturday, authorities removed 168 motorbikes and 40 cars, police said.
Vice President Uz Hussain Mohamed Latheef on Saturday presented scholarship letters to 24 individuals pursuing higher education in Islamic studies, funded through the Zakat Fund.