12 September 2026

On September 12, 2026, the Bank of Maldives (BML) allocated $16 million per month for international e-commerce transactions using Maldivian Rufiyaa cards, and established a special limit of $3 million per month for the 150 most commonly used platforms, including Temu. Furthermore, despite paying the $500 million sukuk, the Maldives' total debt has remained above 100 billion Rufiyaa, exceeding 125 billion Rufiyaa. Additionally, in order to strengthen the value of the Maldivian Rufiyaa and curb the foreign exchange black market, amendments brought to the Foreign Exchange Act have made it mandatory to exchange 40 percent of resort revenues into Maldivian Rufiyaa through banks.

In collaboration with the Australia Maldives Friendship Association and Water Patrol Australia, and with the support of the Thulusdhoo Council, Surfing Association of Thulusdhoo, and Maldives Surf Guide Association, a Junior Lifeguard Pilot Program involving 24 children aged between 11 and 17 commenced on 12 September 2026 in K. Thulusdhoo. Running until the 14th of this month, the program aims to teach children essential skills such as identifying ocean currents and hazardous waves, rescuing people using rescue boards, as well as providing first aid and CPR.

It was revealed on 12 September 2026 that significant difficulties have arisen in obtaining commonly used infant milk powder, such as NAN and Lactogen, from markets and pharmacies across Malé and the atolls. Although it is believed that this shortage was mainly caused by the regulations governing the import of breast-milk substitutes and logistical challenges faced in domestic air transport when ferrying goods to the islands, relevant official authorities have not yet disclosed a specific, direct reason. Relevant parties are currently working to resolve the issue and arrange for the availability of milk powder in the market again.

While the 8th International Teachers' Conference, graced by Vice President Hussain Mohamed Latheef, officially commenced on September 12, 2026, it was decided that major changes would be brought to Grade 1 textbooks starting from the upcoming 2027 academic year with the assistance of Cambridge University Press. Additionally, Minister of Education Dr. Ismail Shafeeu announced that work is underway to establish a Vocational High School in Malé, aiming to increase the transition rate of students from secondary to higher secondary education from the current 50 percent to 60 percent.

Amidst an ongoing rainy spell across the Maldives with a Yellow Alert issued from Kaafu Atoll to Alifu Dhaalu Atoll, heavy rainfall on September 12, 2026, caused flooding in the streets of Malé and damage to residences, prompting the MNDF to conduct an emergency dewatering operation. Due to the severe weather affecting multiple atolls, with wind gusts reaching 40 to 45 miles per hour and rough seas, significant obstacles were faced in travel coinciding with the school holidays. As southern islands were impacted by rain, resulting in flooding in Addu City and Fuvahmulah, MNDF and local councils stacked sandbags and carried out water pumping operations, while NDMA provided temporary shelter to a family of eight after a house in Feydhoo was damaged beyond habitability. Furthermore, the vessel named 'Uranus 1', which sustained extensive damage with nearly 30 feet of its bottom plating detached, has been drifting near Malé for over two months, with relevant authorities closely monitoring the vessel without granting permission to enter a Maldivian port.

Saudi Aramco has temporarily suspended the operation of an East-West oil pipeline following drone attacks launched from within Iraqi territory targeting the pipeline and three pumping stations in the Riyadh and Medina regions of Saudi Arabia, which left civilians injured and sparked fires. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Maldives, on 12 September 2026, strongly condemned this cowardly attack threatening the sovereignty, critical infrastructure, and regional stability of Saudi Arabia, and reaffirmed that the Maldives stands firmly with the Saudi government.

To commemorate the 900th anniversary of the Maldives embracing Islam and National Heritage Day, President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu attended a ceremony held on the night of 12 September 2026 at Hulhumalé Central Park, where the logo and slogan for a year-long special program were unveiled, and the establishment of 'Maldives Awqaf Investments Limited' was announced. Furthermore, an agreement was signed on 12 September 2026 with Saudi Arabia's Al Rajhi Company to construct the Sultan Muhammad Ibn Abdullah Grand Mosque and Islamic Civilization Centre in Hulhumalé. Additionally, at the newly introduced Engineers Award 2026, Dr. Furqan Ibrahim was named Engineer of the Year, while Lifetime Achievement Awards were conferred upon Abdul Shakoor Solih, and in memory of the late Ahmed Mahureen and the late Mohamed Rasheed. Meanwhile, the HA. Dhidhdhoo Council has urged that children should not be outdoors without a guardian after 9:00 pm.