Maldives

78,2% of the state budget allocated for the operation of government-owned companies has been spent in the first seven months of the year, government is planning major downsizing, though expect in dividends MVR 552 million (€31 million)

StatePharma, a fully state-owned company, is working to identify and address difficulties in accessing medicines across the Maldives; specifically, the company's MD and senior officials met with the Baa Atoll Eydhafushi Council as part of this effort

Sheikh Ismail Mohamed, the first Maldivian student to graduate from the Islamic University of Madinah and one of the most influential religious scholars in the Maldives, has passed away at the age of 85

Five scuba divers have died in an accident occurred off Vaavu Atoll in what s considered the country's worst scuba-related accident ever and bringing to 42 the victims of diving or snorkeling in the last 6 years

A group of locals has caught a large crocodile on an uninhabited island in Lhaviyani Atoll and handed it over to the Maldives National Defense Force; the 1,5 m reptile, seen on 'Dhihdhoo' island, is neither an exceptional sight nor an endemic species

A record 83% increase in private jet arrivals to the Maldives has been reported, with 128 jets landing in the country between February 28 and mid-March as regional conflict disrupts major transit hubs in the Middle East

Fulhadhoo Council started to fine tourists for attire that violates general social standards, such as bikinis, after receiving numerous complaints about how tourists are dressed while in public spaces and despite several attempts to find a resolution

An additional opportunity has been granted to become monitors and observers for the Local Council and Women’s Development Committee elections and the public referendum, extending deadline for submitting application forms until 3:00 PM today

Customers have been reporting delays in receiving gas from state‑owned Maldive Gas, company says the issue is beyond their control and caused by delays in supply; Gas is being delivered through Villa Gas, private supplier with large reserves in Thilafushi

The Maldives is facing a shortage of medicines, with many essential drugs unavailable and challenges in accessing doctors, so that even basic treatments can be difficult to obtain; public complaints about healthcare quality reflect structural problems

Tourist arrivals continued to rise in December, with figures pointing to sustained year on year growth of 10% and over during what is traditionally the busiest month; notwithstanding the Christmas holidays China is expected to lead the incoming this month

The ban on packaging, producing, and importing single-use plastic water bottles sized between 500ml and 1 litre, set to begin on 1 December 1 has been set to 1 December 2027 by President Muizzu who amended previous presidential decree