Veteran benefits, SEZ township and tourism discount

The government decided to pay a monthly allowance of MVR 9,000 (US$ 584) as state benefits to the parents, widows and children of soldiers slain during the November 1988 coup by Tamil mercenaries. 

An initial permit was granted for a special economic zone township in a Noonu atoll lagoon. The proposed project involves “developing luxury real estate, world-class healthcare facilities, and self-sufficient infrastructure powered by at least 60 percent renewable energy.” Earlier in the week, a minimum investment of US$ 500 million was set for SEZ townships “aimed at attracting high-net-worth individuals and families to reside in the Maldives.”

The president ratified changes approved to the tourism law, establishing a Tourism Trust Fund, revising cross-subsidy rules for resort development and offering a 50 percent lower lease extension fee for payments made in the next six months.

A lawsuit was filed on behalf of the first lady against an opposition activist over claims that the discovery of her teenage son's vaping habit was the reason behind the government’s decision to ban vaping.

The International Federation of Journalists called for a “thorough and immediate investigation” into alleged threats made by President Muizzu in an intimidating phone call to Adhadhu CEO Hussain Fiyaz Moosa. 

Nearly 12 hours after it was reported, firefighters managed to put out a fire that ravaged the eco-garden wetlands in Addu City's Meedhoo island.

The housing ministry extended the deadline to submit complaints about a verified list of applicants for 4,000 social housing flats.

Customs seized 2,062 vaping devices, cartridges and liquids from the luggage of three people who arrived from Malaysia on Tuesday. Last week, airport officials foiled an attempt to smuggle 2,008 vape items. 

The most commonly reported crimes during the first 10 days of Ramadan were traffic violations (153 accidents), followed by 147 cases of theft and 110 drug cases.

Business registration and foreign investments services will continue uninterrupted during the upcoming 10-day government holiday, the economic ministry announced.

Police confiscated 14 liquor bottles and 72 cans of beer in an operation at the Hulhumalé jetty.

After 12 consecutive nights, the opposition MDP paused street protests in Malé for the last 10 days of Ramadan. 

The biometric data of 100,000 migrant workers were collected over the past 10 months under “Operation Kurangi.”

The environment ministry signed contracts to build waste management centres on four islands in Alif Alif atoll.