Former MP Ali Hussain filed a constitutional case at the Supreme Court seeking to annul the government’s 99-year rent-free lease of over 500 hectares in Ras Malé to UAE developer Eagle Hills, alleging violations of the Constitution. Meanwhile, Homeland Security Minister Ali Ihusaan announced plans to introduce capital punishment for major drug traffickers. On the global stage, the Maldives women’s chess team secured a historic Category 'E' gold medal on tiebreaks at the 46th Chess Olympiad in Samarkand.

Addressing the 81st UN General Assembly, Vice President Hussain Mohamed Latheef condemned the genocide in Gaza after leading a walkout during Benjamin Netanyahu’s address. Domestically, the Bank of Maldives expects dollar telegraphic transfer backlogs to normalize following recent two-week delays, while Housing Minister Dr. Abdulla Muththalib clarified that a 99-year Ras Malé lease with UAE developer Eagle Hills excludes land ownership or automatic residency. Meanwhile, Health Minister Geela Ali pledged full availability of essential medicines by late November via State Pharma.

Addressing the 81st UN General Assembly, Vice President Hussain Mohamed Latheef urged the international community to recognize an independent Palestinian state based on pre-1967 borders and grant it full UN membership. Domestically, Maldives Immigration mandated advance passenger data submissions for all incoming and outgoing flights. Meanwhile, the Asian Football Confederation provided crucial relief by waiving a USD 253,030 repayment penalty for the Football Association of Maldives, restoring the body's eligibility for vital continental financial assistance.

At the 81st UN General Assembly, Vice President Uz. Hussain Mohamed Latheef led the Maldivian delegation, alongside Foreign Minister Dr. Iruthisham Adam, in a walkout protesting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's address in solidarity with Palestine. Domestically, President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu assured state-owned enterprise staff against sudden mass dismissals, while a severed telecommunications cable disrupted airport systems and delayed flights. Meanwhile, Education Minister Dr. Ismail Shafeeu announced that Cambridge will grant schools direct access to students' O-Level examination papers.

At the UN General Assembly, the Maldivian delegation staged a walkout during Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s address in solidarity with Palestine, while Foreign Minister Dr. Iruthisham Adam signed a mutual visa-exemption pact with Belarus and a bilateral consultation agreement with Vietnam. Domestically, the government broke ground on a USD 5 million, 500-patient drug rehabilitation center in K. Himmafushi and awarded China’s Rotime Engineering a contract to expand a 12.3-kilometer Addu City Link Road section into four lanes.

The Ministry of Economic Development ordered unauthorized foreign businesses in restricted sectors, including retail trade and airline agencies, to cease operations by October 8, naming eight non-compliant firms. Meanwhile, the Maldives Monetary Authority enforced new rules mandating Category 'A' tourism operators exchange 40 percent of foreign currency revenue through domestic banks, subject to fines up to MVR 5 million. Additionally, President Muizzu defended the $20 billion Eagle Hills Ras Malé project, and the Finance Ministry tendered a 50-bed Hulhumalé mental health hospital.

The Maldives signed a landmark $12 billion to $20 billion agreement with Abu Dhabi’s Eagle Hills to develop the Ras Malé waterfront, securing 5,000 contractor-financed housing units alongside long-term commercial leaseholds. In domestic politics, former President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih announced he will not contest the MDP’s 2028 presidential primary, endorsing former Vice President Faisal Naseem. Meanwhile, the Fisheries Ministry contracted SJ Construction for a 200-metric-tonne cold storage facility in Th. Hirilandhoo, and President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu urged UN reforms.

Minister Dr. Abdulla Muththalib signed commercial terms with Abu Dhabi’s Eagle Hills for the landmark $20 billion "Maldives Waterfront and Marina" development in Ras Malé. Domestically, authorities suspended land and sea transport licensing by the GDh. Gadhdhoo Council after finding over 1,600 untested licenses were unlawfully issued for financial gain. Meanwhile, First Lady Sajidha Mohamed opened the "NeoCare 2026" symposium, and implementation of the China-Maldives Free Trade Agreement granted zero-tariff entry for 296 fish and processed seafood products.

President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has officially deferred the nationwide ban on importing single-use plastic drinking straws until June 2031, while also postponing prohibitions on their domestic production and sale to December 2031. On the diplomatic front, Vice President Uz. Hussain Mohamed Latheef departed to head the Maldivian delegation at the 81st UN General Assembly in New York. Meanwhile, over 8,000 students across 267 centres commenced their national examination cycle, beginning with the Secondary School Certificate Dhivehi paper.

President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu was formally handed the ruling PNC’s 2028 presidential ticket without a primary following a unanimous congress vote, as he also issued a decree postponing the single-use plastic straw ban to 2031. Meanwhile, the Criminal Court remanded six Bangladeshi nationals arrested at Velana International Airport for attempting to smuggle over MVR 3.86 million in foreign currency hidden in cereal packets, alongside a joint enforcement operation in AA. Thoddoo that detained 107 undocumented foreigners.

The People’s National Congress unanimously conferred the 2028 presidential ticket upon President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu without an internal primary, backed by all 1,119 delegates. Economically, India confirmed absorbing roughly $45 million in interest on the Maldives’ fully settled $150 million SBI treasury bill, while BML imposed a $16 million monthly cross-border e-commerce ceiling to conserve foreign exchange. Meanwhile, Health Minister Geela Ali announced that State Pharma will begin importing all essential medicines by late November.

The PNC Congress unanimously passed a resolution by 1,119 delegates awarding President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu the party’s 2028 presidential ticket without a primary. In economic news, Economic Minister Mohamed Saeed affirmed uninterrupted essential imports following the full settlement of a $150 million Treasury bill facility to the State Bank of India, highlighting over $1.34 billion in inherited debt settled without default. Globally, the United States denied entry visas to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas for the 81st UN General Assembly.

The Maldives formally joined the Saudi-led 15-nation Multinational Maritime Defense Coalition to secure regional shipping routes, as Malaysia agreed in principle to a USD 100 million financing facility alongside potential offshore resource exploration. On the economic front, the government cleared the final USD 50 million tranche of its State Bank of India Treasury bill facility via the Sovereign Development Fund. Meanwhile, European tour operator bodies warned of reconsidering travel packages unless impending T-GST hikes and foreign currency rules are delayed.

President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim exchanged defence and Islamic affairs agreements in Malé, formally launching Preferential Trade Agreement negotiations during the Malaysian premier's official visit. Domestically, South Hulhumalé MP Dr. Ahmed Shamheed declared his bid for the MDP presidential primary, while former Customs Commissioner Yoosuf Maaniu Mohamed was appointed CEO of the Greater Malé Transport and Mobility Office. Meanwhile, authorities intensified crackdowns on illegal currency exchange, culminating in the seizure of MVR 3.86 million at Velana International Airport.

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim arrived in the Maldives for an official visit, agreeing in principle with President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu on a USD 100 million currency swap facility between their central banks. Domestically, President Muizzu appointed Ahmed Habeeb to ministerial rank as Principal Secretary on Policy and Manifesto following Abdulla Nazim Ibrahim’s resignation. In other news, three people were injured in a serious Sinamalé Bridge crash, while nine-year-old Maldivian surfer Aaliyah Latheef clinched Women’s Open gold at the SFSL Surf Championships.

Severe southwest monsoon weather prompted Yellow and Orange alerts on Sunday, inundating major roads in Malé and flooding over 70 homes in Addu City’s Feydhoo, forcing emergency evacuations. In Hulhumalé Phase 2, President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu laid the foundation stone for the nation's largest mosque, the 10,000-capacity Jaami'ul Sultan Mohamed bin Abdulla mosque, marking 900 years of Islam in the Maldives. Meanwhile, Minister Heena Waleed was elected unopposed to lead the ruling People's National Congress Women’s Wing.

President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu established Maldives Awqaf Investments Limited via Presidential Decree No. 14/2026 to manage endowment properties and mosques. Economically, the Bank of Maldives introduced daily, category-specific foreign currency limits allocating $16 million monthly for Rufiyaa card e-commerce transactions, amid national debt surpassing 125 billion Rufiyaa. Meanwhile, MNDF carried out emergency dewatering across flooded islands due to severe weather, and the Maldives officially condemned drone attacks targeting Saudi Arabia's East-West pipeline infrastructure.

The FIFA Ethics Committee has banned former Football Association of Maldives president Bassam Adeel Jaleel for life from all football-related activities and fined him 1,000,000 Swiss francs for misusing COVID-19 relief funds for personal gain. Domestically, severe weather caused two detained foreign fuel tankers, *KG 1* and *AL 1*, to break loose and collide with a Sinamalé Bridge pillar—causing only minor surface scratches—before all nine crew members were rescued and the drifting vessels sank 30 nautical miles east of Malé Atoll.

In rough southwest monsoon weather, two Customs-held vessels broke anchor and struck a Sinamalé Bridge pillar before drifting offshore and sinking, with all nine crew members safely rescued by the MNDF Coast Guard. Concurrently, the Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation gazetted regulations allowing the termination of lease agreements across 168 long-stalled resort projects to reclaim roughly $537 million in unpaid dues, while President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu conferred the inaugural Engineer of the Year Award on Dr. Furqan Ibrahim.

The UK Foreign Office formally rejected President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu’s request to negotiate over Chagos Archipelago sovereignty, reiterating that discussions remain strictly bilateral with Mauritius. At the 79th WHO Regional Committee session in Dili, Health Minister Geela Ali accepted a prestigious award recognizing the Maldives as the only regional nation to achieve the SDG target for reducing premature non-communicable disease mortality early, alongside a decade of sustaining maternal and neonatal tetanus elimination.

President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has directly appealed to British Prime Minister Andy Burnham for official talks over the Chagos Archipelago, asserting the Maldives’ legitimate historical claim and objecting to the UK's transfer of sovereignty to Mauritius without Maldivian involvement. Domestically, the government announced cabinet-approved plans to acquire a 51 percent controlling stake in Dhiraagu, buy out Hitachi’s 20 percent share in MWSC, and allocate 10 islands and lagoons for local resort development, while the Maldives condemned recent Houthi strikes on Saudi Arabia.

President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu announced sweeping state-owned enterprise reforms to slash state spending, dissolving Fenaka Corporation into STELCO and merging RDC into MTCC, while unveiling plans to distribute resort profits to citizens by 2030. The administration also secured a five-year, $1.5 billion trade financing agreement with the ITFC and reformed the Aasandha healthcare scheme to transition earners making over MVR 60,000 monthly to co-payments from October, as former President Abdulla Yameen refused a police summons over past arson remarks.

The Maldives secured a landmark $1.5 billion, five-year trade financing framework with the ITFC on September 6 to support essential imports and trade as dollar prices eased under new foreign exchange rules. Domestically, Fenaka Corporation downsized by laying off 107 staff under a voluntary redundancy scheme, the Health Protection Agency issued an urgent advisory regarding surging diarrhea and vomiting cases, and Islamic Minister Dr. Mohamed Shaheem Ali Saeed officially registered with the ruling PNC.

Chief Government Spokesperson Mohamed Hussain Shareef announced the dismissal of 205 political appointees across 15 ministries over the past three months to cut state expenditure, while confirming an ongoing probe into allegations that Velana International Airport was used to route dual-use goods evading Russian sanctions. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Finance opened sales for 645.41 million Rufiyaa in Treasury bills, and President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu pledged official recognition and dedicated infrastructure, including a planned Malé complex, for e-sports.

President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu announced a phased plan to recruit roughly 2,000 healthcare workers across the Maldives to resolve sector-wide shortages, alongside a MVR 1 million flood-relief donation to Nepal. Meanwhile, the Economic Ministry moved to dissolve 28 foreign companies operating in business areas exclusively reserved for Maldivian nationals under the Companies Act. Additionally, the USD 500 million Thilamale’ Bridge project advanced into roadway works following the successful structural connection of Malé and Vilimalé.

President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu authorized the phased recruitment of nearly 2,000 healthcare professionals nationwide to resolve critical shortages, marking the only sector permitted new hires this year. Concurrently, updated regulations now require tourist resorts to convert 40% of their monthly foreign currency revenue into Rufiyaa via local banks. Internationally, the government launched an inquiry into reports alleging restricted dual-use goods were funneled through Velana International Airport to Russia, while Thailand reduced visa-free stays for Maldivians from 60 to 30 days.

A major foreign exchange mandate took effect as President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu ratified legislation requiring Category 'A' tourism establishments to exchange 40 percent of monthly gross sales via local banks, amid 65 reports of illegal currency trading. Simultaneously, the Ministry of Infrastructure, Housing and Urban Development awarded MTCC five projects worth MVR 937.35 million, including coastal works in Maafushi and Funadhoo. Separately, the Prosecutor General’s Office charged Thinadhoo City Mayor Saud Ali over falsified population records and announced plans to prosecute bank account renting.

President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu ratified the 19th amendment to the Decentralization Act on September 1, empowering the Cabinet to reclaim council-controlled lands for state development projects with mandatory financial compensation. Concurrently, police froze the accounts of Naid Investments over illegal forex trading, coinciding with strict enforcement requiring resorts to convert 40 percent of foreign earnings into Rufiyaa. Additionally, newly ratified Land Transport Act amendments took effect, introducing vehicle age limits, a demerit system, and fines up to MVR 500,000 for reckless driving.

Marking the start of 2026, President Muizzu outlined key national development goals in his New Year’s address as operations commenced at Velana International Airport’s new terminal. Meanwhile, the government made teacher promotions retroactively effective, launched the Hulhumalé "Green Nursery" project alongside island hybrid solar systems, and expanded Aasandha health coverage to include therapy and mental health services, even as IGMH issued an apology over the tragic death of an infant.

In a landmark ruling on the K-Park fraud case, Hassan Mamdooh was sentenced to 397 years in prison, while Jaishan Saeed received 159 years. Meanwhile, President Muizzu ordered the closure of 96 massage parlors and decreed the relocation of Hirimaradhoo residents to Hanimaadhoo. Technologically, e-gate services commenced at Velana International Airport's new terminal, as severe weather prompted a white alert across the south, damaging homes in Addu City.

A presidential decree was issued today to relocate Hirimaradhoo residents to Hanimaadhoo, as forty-one media outlets qualified for state financial assistance. Economically, the Addu Shangri-La Resort reopened after five years, while the Maldives Monetary Authority suspended FIU head Shazid. Internationally, the government reaffirmed its commitment to the "One China" policy following the passing of former Bangladesh Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, and BML launched beta testing for its "Swipe" digital wallet.

Tourism reached a 2025 single-day record as state revenue climbed toward MVR 37 billion, while Aeroflot shifted operations to Velana International Airport’s new terminal. Domestically, the government unveiled new Malé housing allocation regulations and raised student stipends. In security, 344 National Service trainees graduated, and a man named Hoodh was sentenced for terrorism amid sharp political criticism from former President Yameen over the Ras Malé project.

President Muizzu departed for Singapore today as the Maldives secured a debt moratorium agreement with China and key distribution of the "Gedhoruveriya" flat keys commenced. Domestically, Hassan Mamdooh was convicted on 94 charges, the government began relocating land plots from Giravaru Falhu to Gulhifalhu, and Aeroflot transitioned operations to the new terminal at Velana International Airport as annual tourism arrivals neared 2.2 million.

China pledged MVR 1.3 billion in grant aid to the Maldives as the World Bank forecast a 3.9% economic growth rate, while authorities cracked down on 66 illegal expatriate-run businesses. Nationally, President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu launched a project to train 250 local therapy professionals before departing for Singapore. In major legal developments, Hassan Mamdooh faced 94 charges over the K-Park fraud, and police seized MVR 32 million in illicit drugs.

Hanimaadhoo Airport welcomed its first commercial jet as the Maldives marked National Unity Day alongside several major developments. Customs seized MVR 30 million worth of drugs and authorities arrested K-Park director Manday, while the single parent allowance rose to MVR 12,000. Additionally, the Maldives Qualification Authority mandated a three-year full-time residency for PhD candidates, and Manta Air was fined MVR 20,000 over an illegal seaplane platform.

The Maldives and China signed an $85 million development agreement to introduce concessional loans for SMEs, as the government raised single-parent allowances to MVR 15,000. In major law enforcement operations, police seized 40kg of drugs concealed in chocolate syrup bottles and launched "Operation Riveli" ahead of New Year. Meanwhile, the national women's volleyball team made history by advancing to the final of the CAVA Women's Volleyball Cup.