The Press - The first political news website in Maldiveshttps://en.thepress.mven-usCopyright (C) 2026 thepress.mv https://en.thepress.mv/public/images/logo.png https://en.thepress.mv 512 220 The Privatization and Corporatization Board, PCB, says the Finance Ministry has instructed state-owned enterprises to reduce their staff numbers by 33 percent as part of efforts to reduce operating costs and strengthen cost management. In a statement to the media, PCB said that the Ministry of Finance and Enterprises has instructed the Board to take necessary measures through relevant laws and regulations to strengthen the system and management of government-owned enterprises (SOEs). It said that in a letter dated 17 April 2026 to PCB President Mohamed Anas, the Ministry outlined additional measures to enhance the operational efficiency of companies and strengthen human... https://en.thepress.mv/18910 https://en.thepress.mv/18910 Sat, 18 Apr 2026 17:23:26 +0500 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, MNDF. MNDF said that the 5 ft crocodile was seen on an island named 'Dhihdhoo' and that it was spotted by a group of locals who went to the island on a dinghy They said they discovered the reptile around 7 in the morning and caught the animal on the island. MNDF also said that the locals had transferred the animal to Lhaviyani Atoll, Naifaru. MNDF further said that the incident was reported to... https://en.thepress.mv/18909 https://en.thepress.mv/18909 Sat, 18 Apr 2026 15:56:37 +0500 Several foreigners have been arrested for allegedly possessing and using drugs, as well as gambling. Police said that they were arrested on the 16th of this month in a police operation. Police also said that the operation was conducted after it received a tip about the crimes. Police stated that they arrested 38 men in the operation and that they were all Bangladeshi. They added that the foreigners have now been handed over to the Maldives Immigration for deportation under the Immigration Act. There are 178,982 foreigners in the country, according to official government figures. The exact number of people who... https://en.thepress.mv/18908 https://en.thepress.mv/18908 Sat, 18 Apr 2026 13:33:44 +0500 The Elections Commission says voting in the second round of the Local Council Election and the Women's Development Committee election is continuing across the five constituencies where election results were inconclusive. The Commission said that voting began at 08:00 pm and will end at 04:00 pm in the evening. Voters from two constituencies will be re-casting their ballots in the local council election, while voters from three constituencies will vote again to elect their Women's Development Committee members. The Elections Commission said that 14 ballot boxes have been set up for the second round of voting, including three in three... https://en.thepress.mv/18907 https://en.thepress.mv/18907 Sat, 18 Apr 2026 11:09:49 +0500 Bank of Maldives (BML) has announced a two-year partnership with WeRun Maldives to support its premier corporate relay race, reinforcing the Bank’s commitment to promoting wellness, teamwork, and inclusive participation within the corporate community. BML said that through this partnership, it will support the organization and development of the event over the next two years, with the first run taking place this year. The event is a 5-runner, 1 KM per-runner relay challenge specifically designed for companies, institutions, and organizations operating in the Maldives. The race blends athletic competition with corporate identity, offering a dynamic platform for organizations to strengthen team spirit... https://en.thepress.mv/18906 https://en.thepress.mv/18906 Thu, 16 Apr 2026 15:26:38 +0500 A total of 9 government agencies have fallen under the mandate of the newly renamed Ministry of Homeland Security, Labour, and Technology, headed by Minister Ali Ihusan. These 9 agencies include the Maldives Immigration, the Department of National Registration, the National Drug Agency, the Department of Juvenile Justice, and the National Cyber Security Agency. Also, the Labor Relations Authority, the Communications Authority of the Maldives, the Maldives Digital Service, and the National Career Service would now fall under the mandate of the Homeland Ministry. Yesterday, President Dr Mohamed Muizzu restructured the Government’s administrative framework. The changes, formalised through Directive No.... https://en.thepress.mv/18905 https://en.thepress.mv/18905 Thu, 16 Apr 2026 15:18:05 +0500 India has highlighted lifestyle changes and mental health as key priorities during a high-level BRICS health meeting held on Wednesday. The first Health Working Group (HWG) meeting under the 2026 BRICS framework brought together senior officials from nine member states to strengthen cooperation on public health, including tuberculosis research, digital health systems, and mental wellness. The virtual meeting was chaired by India’s Health Secretary Punya Salila Srivastava and included representatives from Brazil, Russia, China, South Africa, Egypt, Ethiopia, the United Arab Emirates, and Indonesia. The expanded participation reflects the bloc’s growing membership across four continents. As BRICS Chair for 2026, India has centred... https://en.thepress.mv/18904 https://en.thepress.mv/18904 Thu, 16 Apr 2026 11:22:32 +0500 Russian President Vladimir Putin is expected to attend the upcoming BRICS summit in India this September, according to Russia’s state news agency TASS. A Kremlin spokesperson was quoted as saying that while the exact dates of the summit have yet to be announced, Putin is set to participate. If confirmed, the visit would mark Putin’s second trip to India within nine months, following his visit in December for the annual India-Russia summit. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is also expected to travel to Moscow later this year for the 2026 edition of the bilateral summit. India, which currently holds the BRICS presidency, is... https://en.thepress.mv/18903 https://en.thepress.mv/18903 Thu, 16 Apr 2026 11:18:47 +0500 President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has appointed Mohamed Hussain Shareef as Chief Government Spokesperson at the President’s Office, with ministerial rank. Mohamed Hussain Shareef has previously served as a Cabinet member and as Ambassador of the Maldives to several countries. He also served as Chief Government Spokesperson at the President’s Office from 2005 to 2007, and as Presidential Spokesperson from 2007 to 2008. In addition, he played a pivotal role in establishing the Strategic Communications Unit at the President’s Office. Most recently, he served as Ambassador of the Republic of Maldives to the United Arab Emirates.... https://en.thepress.mv/18902 https://en.thepress.mv/18902 Wed, 15 Apr 2026 23:11:10 +0500 President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has appointed Hassan Rasheed as Minister of Defence and National Service. The letter of appointment was presented to the Minister at an official ceremony held at the President’s Office this evening. The oath of office was administered by Supreme Court Justice Honourable Dr Mohamed Ibrahim, after which the Minister signed the declaration of oath. This comes amid a major shakeup in the government as the President dissolved his previous cabinet and formed a new cabinet with several new ministries and Ministers. Yesterday, 9 Ministers from the previous cabinet resigned suddenly, and the Government said that this was part of... https://en.thepress.mv/18901 https://en.thepress.mv/18901 Wed, 15 Apr 2026 22:59:30 +0500 Police have confirmed they are investigating a case of an underage pregnancy in a southern island. They said that they received the report of a 17-year-old girl who was pregnant on an island in the south of the country. Police said that her pregnancy was reported after a doctor's appointment and that the case was reported on the 13th of this month. The incident was brought to the attention of the police by the child's health centre. Police did not disclose the child's town or name as cases involving children are confidential, but assured that they were investigating the case.... https://en.thepress.mv/18900 https://en.thepress.mv/18900 Wed, 15 Apr 2026 20:31:39 +0500 President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has restructured the Government’s administrative framework. The changes, formalised through Directive No. 7/2026 issued by the President’s Office, include the dissolution of several ministries, the establishment of a new ministry, the renaming of existing ministries, and the reallocation of oversight for many agencies. As part of the restructuring, the Ministry of Climate Change, Environment, and Energy has been established. The following ministries have been dissolved: the Ministry of Social and Family Development; the Ministry of Transport and Civil Aviation; the Ministry of Higher Education, Labour and Skills Development; the Ministry of Youth Empowerment, Information and Arts; the Ministry... https://en.thepress.mv/18899 https://en.thepress.mv/18899 Wed, 15 Apr 2026 20:22:29 +0500 Minister of Infrastructure, Housing and Urban Development Dr. Abdullah Muththalib assures that the government's development projects and services are not based on citizens' votes. He said this while answering questions from Parliamentarians at the legislative house today When asked about the developmental projects in the islands where the ruling government lost council seats to the opposition in the recently held Local Council Election, the Minister said the government aims to provide services equally to all citizens regardless of the outcome of the elections. The minister also assured that the works would continue without interruption in the islands where the opposition councilors... https://en.thepress.mv/18898 https://en.thepress.mv/18898 Wed, 15 Apr 2026 14:09:35 +0500 President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has appointed Ahmed Shiyam as Minister of Fisheries, Agriculture, and Ocean Resources. The official ceremony to present the letter of appointment was held this morning at the President’s Office. The oath of office was administered by Supreme Court Justice Honourable Uz Abdulla Hameed, following which the Minister signed the declaration of oath. This comes after the President restructured his cabinet and appointed new members to head several newly formed Ministries, including the Ministry of Fisheries, Agriculture, and Ocean Resources Yesterday, 9 Ministers from the previous cabinet resigned suddenly, and the Government said that this was part of positive govermental... https://en.thepress.mv/18897 https://en.thepress.mv/18897 Wed, 15 Apr 2026 22:52:12 +0500 The President has accepted the resignations of 10 Cabinet Ministers, tendered today, to allow him the opportunity to implement the positive Government reforms he envisions in keeping with the aspirations of the people. Acknowledging their valuable service over the past period, the President expressed his gratitude to the Ministers who stepped down today. The President's Office then listed the Ministers who tendered their resignations. They are; Minister of Defense: Mohamed Ghassan Maumoon Minister of Foreign Affairs: Dr. Abdullah Khaleel Minister of Health: Abdullah Nazim Ibrahim Minister of Tourism and Environment: Thoriq Ibrahim Minister of Social and Family Development: Dr. Aishath Shiham Minister of Dhivehi Language, Culture and Heritage:... https://en.thepress.mv/18896 https://en.thepress.mv/18896 Tue, 14 Apr 2026 16:34:46 +0500 The former Chairperson of MDP, Fayyaz Ismail, says the Maldives cannot afford the major cabinet overhaul seen today amid economic pressures brought on by global uncertainties. His comments came as 9 Ministers of President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu's cabinet either resigned or were dismissed today in a sudden overhaul of his government. Fayyaz, who served as the Economic Minister for five years, said that the collapse of an entire cabinet is not an isolated event. He said that it is the latest sign of a government that is unstable and increasingly unpopular. In the middle of a national fiscal crisis, at one... https://en.thepress.mv/18895 https://en.thepress.mv/18895 Tue, 14 Apr 2026 14:43:53 +0500 Defence Minister Mohamed Ghassan Maumoon has resigned from his post in the cabinet of President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu, along with other key Ministers. Reports have said that the Health Minister, Abdullah Nazim Ibrahim, has also resigned from his post, while the Minister of Agriculture and Animal Welfare, Dr. Maryam Maria, has also tendered her resignation today. They were joined by the Minister of Youth Empowerment, Information, and Arts, Ibrahim Waheed, who also tendered his resignation today. Minister of Cities, Local Government and Public Works Adam Shareef Umar also resigned from his post today. The government has yet to officially confirm... https://en.thepress.mv/18894 https://en.thepress.mv/18894 Tue, 14 Apr 2026 13:56:31 +0500 President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has brought in a major reshuffle of his cabinet amid a few days of executive-level changes across the branches of the government. Reports have said that Foreign Minister Dr. Abdullah Khaleel has been dismissed from his post. Confirmed reports also say that the Minister of Social and Family Development, Dr. Aishath Shiham, has also been dismissed from her post in the cabinet. The government has yet to officially confirm these dismissals, but several key Ministers on the cabinet of President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu resigned from their posts today, including Defence Minister Mohamed Ghassan Maumoon and Health... https://en.thepress.mv/18893 https://en.thepress.mv/18893 Tue, 14 Apr 2026 13:56:51 +0500 Former Chairperson of MDP, Fayyaz Ismail, has expressed concerns about the delay in announcing the final results of the ballot boxes for the Male' constituencies in the recently held local council election. Expressing his concern, Fayyaz posted on X and called on the Election Commission to announce the final results of the polls as soon as possible without allowing anyone to influence the election results. The council seats in the city are politically competitive, he said, adding that the political parties are extremely concerned that the final results will not be confirmed for many days after the polls. When asked about the... https://en.thepress.mv/18892 https://en.thepress.mv/18892 Mon, 13 Apr 2026 16:22:08 +0500 The Minister at the President’s Office for Presidential Affairs, Alif Arif, has resigned from his post. This was confirmed by the Presidential Spokesperson, Heena Waleed. However, she did not give a reason for Arif's resignation. He became the first government Minister to resign amid a wave of resignations and dismissals in the aftermath of the ruling party's defeat at the recently held triple elections. Yesterday, the CEO of Maldives Industrial Fisheries Company Ltd, MIFC, Farhath Shaheer, resigned from his post, followed by the Managing Director of Male' Water and Sewerage Company Ltd, MWSC, Abdul Matheen. The government had also dismissed the... https://en.thepress.mv/18891 https://en.thepress.mv/18891 Mon, 13 Apr 2026 16:00:44 +0500