24 September 2026

The project to expand the 12.3-kilometer link road from the Addu City detour bridge to the Hithadhoo Stadium to four lanes has been awarded to China's Roadtime Engineering and Technology Company. Chinese Ambassador Kong Xianhua has revealed that physical work on the China-Maldives Friendship Hospital in Vilimalé and the road development project in Malé and Vilimalé, under Chinese grant assistance, will commence late this year or early 2027. Under the Vilunveshi Grant Scheme supported by the Asian Development Bank, the government has decided to increase the current limit of MVR 100,000 and expand the scheme next year to allow private companies and startups to apply as well. In addition, the Reserve Bank of India has announced that the credit line of 48.50 billion Indian Rupees or approximately $506.58 million provided to the Maldives through India's Exim Bank became officially operational on August 27.

On Thursday, September 24, 2026, Minister Ali Ihusaan, NDA Chairperson Ahmed Siddiq, Huraa Constituency MP Dr. Anara Naeem, and Encoe Holdings Managing Director Shaheen Adam officially laid the foundation stone for the USD 5 million project contracted to Encoe Holdings Private Limited to establish a new 500-capacity drug rehabilitation center in K. Himmafushi. The center, which the government aims to complete within 18 months, will further expand assistance for individuals requiring drug rehabilitation to reintegrate into society and significantly strengthen health and social services.

At the closing ceremony of the 38th National Quran Recitation Competition held on September 24, 2026, grand prizes including the President's Special Award and PhD scholarships were awarded after Aishath Zeek Riyaz won first place in the memorization category, Ismail Iz'an Ibrahim won first place in the non-memorized recitation category, and Aayan Ahmed Inan won first place in the reading category. Additionally, the Auditor General's report revealed that while MVR 835.7 million was spent on 16,388 students under the government's free first degree scheme, records of those who completed their studies were not maintained, MVR 19.09 million issued to 790 students who dropped out has not been recovered, and MVR 9.37 million was disbursed to 271 ineligible students.

At a press conference held by the police on September 24, 2026, it was revealed that the major fire incident at the complex housing the Housing Ministry was caused by an electrical short circuit between two cables and involved no criminal act. Minister of Climate Change, Environment and Energy Ali Shareef stated that land reclamation and lagoon dredging projects will be suspended if the adverse environmental impacts of El Niño and coral bleaching reach a critical state. AA. Mathiveri became the only island to be ranked among the top five in all categories contested in the 'Chaalu Dhivehiraajje' Award. Minister Ali Shareef stated that with solar hybrid projects, the renewable energy generation capacity in the Maldives has been increased from 53 megawatts to 126 megawatts. The ministry also disclosed that more than 2.3 million trees have been planted so far this year under the Five Million Trees planting program in accordance with the President's pledge.

China's 77th National Day and Saudi Arabia's National Day were celebrated in the Maldives, with President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu highlighting the importance of strengthening ties with these countries. On the sidelines of the 81st UN General Assembly on Thursday, September 24, 2026, an MoU establishing a framework for bilateral consultations between the Maldives and Vietnam was signed by Minister of Foreign Affairs Iruthisham Adam and Vietnam's Minister of Foreign Affairs Dr. Le Hoai Trung. Concurrently, under an agreement reached between the Maldives and Belarus in New York, Minister of Foreign Affairs Iruthisham Adam and Foreign Minister of Belarus Maxim Ryzhenkov signed an agreement allowing citizens of both countries to travel visa-free for 30 days per visit and up to a total of 90 days per year. Furthermore, as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu began his address at the UN General Assembly, the Maldivian delegation, including Vice President Hussain Mohamed Latheef and Minister of Foreign Affairs Iruthisham Adam, walked out of the hall in protest and in solidarity with Palestine.

Minister of Islamic Affairs Dr. Mohamed Shaheem Ali Saeed announced on 24 September 2026 that the Imam of Masjid al-Haram, Dr. Yasser Al-Dossary, is scheduled to make an official visit to the Maldives. MNDF Coastguard divers rescued a 31-year-old foreigner who jumped off the Sinamalé Bridge while he was clinging to a pillar. Minister of Construction Dr. Abdulla Muththalib stated that a technical inspection conducted following an incident where vessels collided with a bridge pillar confirmed that no damage was caused to the bridge's structure. Police have arrested a youth in connection with a dangerous accident on Sosun Magu in Malé. Due to increasing behavioral issues among minors, HA. Baarah Council has banned children under the age of 18 from being outside after 9:00 PM without a guardian. A court has sentenced a man to 15 years in prison after he was found guilty of sexually abusing a child. A person attempting to smuggle drugs into Fuvahmulah has been taken into police custody. A court has ordered a fine for …

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