Byline.mv - Journalism. By People. For Everyone.https://en.thepress.mven-usCopyright (C) 2026 Byline.mv https://en.thepress.mv/public/images/logo.png https://en.thepress.mv 512 220 President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu congratulated the Palestinian leadership and its people on the 38th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence of Palestine. In his social media message, President Muizzu extended his best wishes to President Mahmoud Abbas, Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Musthafa, and the brotherly people of Palestine. He reiterated the unwavering commitment, unshakable resolve, and unconditional support of the Maldives towards realising the common dream of an independent and sovereign State of Palestine, based on pre-1967 borders, and with East Jerusalem as its proud capital. The President ended his message with a famous quote about Palestine's freedom.... https://en.thepress.mv/19285 https://en.thepress.mv/19285 Sun, 15 Nov 2026 11:11:15 +0500 President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has officially inaugurated the National Respect Initiative, a five-year nationwide programme aimed at strengthening mutual respect, reviving moral values, upholding human dignity and fostering a civilised society grounded in Islamic principles and free from resentment and ridicule. The President was accompanied by First Lady Sajidha Mohamed at the inauguration ceremony, held this evening at the Maafannu Track. Vice President Uz Hussain Mohamed Latheef, Speaker of Parliament Abdul Raheem Abdulla, Cabinet Ministers, and heads of various institutions also attended. During the ceremony, the President also unveiled the official logo of the National Respect Initiative. President Dr Muizzu first announced his intention... https://en.thepress.mv/19284 https://en.thepress.mv/19284 Sun, 15 Nov 2026 10:24:10 +0500 President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has returned to the Maldives following his participation in the High-Level Session and the Antalya Leaders' Summit at the 31st Conference of the Parties (COP31) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). The President, First Lady Sajidha Mohamed and a Maldivian delegation attended the Conference, which commenced on 10 November under the theme Towards a Sustainable, Resilient and Equitable Future. Delivering the Maldives' National Statement, President Dr Muizzu called on the international community to honour its climate commitments, reform the international financial architecture and translate political pledges into measurable progress. He also advocated for reforms... https://en.thepress.mv/19283 https://en.thepress.mv/19283 Sat, 14 Nov 2026 13:54:27 +0500 First Lady Sajidha Mohamed has stressed the need to tackle waste pollution at its source, highlighting the importance of protecting marine environments through greater producer responsibility and sustainable waste management. She made the remarks at the High-Level Meeting of the Global Zero Waste Alliance in Antalya, Türkiye, during the President’s official visit to attend the 31st Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP31). Hosted by Türkiye’s First Lady, Emine Erdoğan, the meeting brought together spouses of world leaders to promote international cooperation in sustainable waste management and environmental protection. In her remarks, the First Lady highlighted... https://en.thepress.mv/19282 https://en.thepress.mv/19282 Thu, 12 Nov 2026 14:43:16 +0500 President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has called on the international community to honour its climate obligations, reform the international financial architecture and translate political commitments into measurable progress. Delivering the Maldives’ National Statement at the 31st Session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP31), the President outlined three priorities for collective action: finance, reform and implementation. On climate finance, the President called for funding to be new, additional, predictable and grant-based. He also urged the replenishment of the Green Climate Fund, adequate capitalisation of the Adaptation Fund and sufficient resourcing of the Loss and... https://en.thepress.mv/19281 https://en.thepress.mv/19281 Thu, 12 Nov 2026 13:02:07 +0500 India has approved a USD 1.5 billion initiative to significantly expand its energy storage capacity, as the country seeks to reduce dependence on fossil fuels, strengthen energy security and accelerate its transition towards renewable energy. The scheme, approved by Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government on November 4, will support the development of 92 gigawatt-hours (GWh) of energy storage capacity over five years, with an estimated USD 10 billion in investment expected from the public and private sectors. According to the Indian government, the programme will run from the 2026–27 financial year until 2030–31, supporting 60 GWh of pumped hydropower storage, 30 GWh... https://en.thepress.mv/19280 https://en.thepress.mv/19280 Tue, 10 Nov 2026 16:26:06 +0500 NEW DELHI — India has lifted an estimated 496 million people out of poverty between 2011 and 2023, marking one of the fastest reductions in poverty worldwide, according to the World Bank's latest Poverty and Equity Brief published in October 2026. The report found that the proportion of Indians living below the lower-middle-income poverty threshold of USD 4.20 per day declined sharply from 57.7 percent in 2011 to 16.1 percent in 2023, reflecting substantial improvements in household living standards over the 12-year period. Extreme poverty, measured using the international threshold of USD 3 per person per day, also fell significantly, from 27.1... https://en.thepress.mv/19279 https://en.thepress.mv/19279 Tue, 10 Nov 2026 16:18:47 +0500 MALÉ, November 10, 2026 — India has formally handed over 1,200 mango and teak saplings to the Maldives in support of President Dr Mohamed Muizzu’s Five Million Trees Programme, fulfilling a commitment made during Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the country last year. The saplings were handed over by Indian High Commissioner G. Balasubramanian to Foreign Minister Iruthisham Adam during a ceremony held in Hulhumalé Phase 2 on November 8. The donation comprises 600 mango and 600 teak saplings supplied by the Kerala Forest Department. The saplings were initially handed over to Maldives Consul General Aminath Shifana in Thiruvananthapuram in... https://en.thepress.mv/19278 https://en.thepress.mv/19278 Tue, 10 Nov 2026 16:12:19 +0500 MALÉ, Maldives — India has continued to play a significant role in strengthening the Maldives’ defence capabilities over the past three years, providing military equipment, training opportunities, technical assistance and infrastructure support despite an initial period of diplomatic tension between the two countries. Since President Dr Mohamed Muizzu assumed office in November 2023, defence cooperation between Malé and New Delhi has undergone a notable transition, with both governments moving from disagreements over the presence of Indian military personnel to renewed collaboration on maritime security and defence capacity building. One of the most significant developments came in July 2025, when Indian Prime Minister... https://en.thepress.mv/19277 https://en.thepress.mv/19277 Tue, 10 Nov 2026 16:05:53 +0500 Authorities say one person was injured when a launch docked in the lagoon of a resort in Kaafu Atoll caught fire in the early hours of this morning. Police said the injured person was the vessel's captain and that he was alone on the launch when the incident occurred. Police also said the incident happened around 03:00 but was reported around 05:30. They identified the captain as a 34-year-old local man. Police said that the man sustained burns on his neck and torso and that he had been transferred to IGMH in Male'. Police also said that the vessel sustained... https://en.thepress.mv/19276 https://en.thepress.mv/19276 Tue, 10 Nov 2026 11:12:58 +0500 President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has established a Government-owned company, Dhiveheenge Resort Hihsaa Corporation (DRHC), under Presidential Decree No. 19/2026. The company was established pursuant to the powers vested in the President under Section 15 of the Companies Act (Act No. 7/2023). DRHC was established to facilitate the sustainable development of the Maldives’ tourism industry and ensure that its economic benefits are shared equitably among all Maldivian citizens. Its mandate includes maximising the value of the State’s lagoons, uninhabited islands and natural resources, while building an investment portfolio that generates long-term benefits for the State and future generations. Wholly owned by the Government,... https://en.thepress.mv/19275 https://en.thepress.mv/19275 Tue, 10 Nov 2026 10:56:07 +0500 President Dr Mohamed Muizzu departed for the 31st Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC COP31), which is being held in Antalya, Türkiye, from 10th to 14th November 2026. During the visit, the President will deliver the Maldives’ National Statement, participate in high-level events and discussions, and hold bilateral meetings with other leaders. COP31 brings together world leaders and negotiators from the Parties to the UNFCCC to advance global progress on climate action, with business leaders, young people, climate scientists, Indigenous Peoples, and civil society sharing insights and best practices to strengthen collective and inclusive... https://en.thepress.mv/19274 https://en.thepress.mv/19274 Tue, 10 Nov 2026 10:50:52 +0500 Police say a local man was found unconscious in a parked pickup in Male' and was later declared dead. They said that the report of the unconscious man came in around 09:15 in the morning and that the pickup was parked on Husainee Goalhi in Male'. Police said that the man was rushed to IGMH in Male' and was declared dead on arrival at the hospital. They identified the deceased as a 41-year-old Maldivian man. Police say they are further investigating the case. ... https://en.thepress.mv/19273 https://en.thepress.mv/19273 Mon, 09 Nov 2026 15:02:42 +0500 President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has announced that the government has introduced a bill to the parliament that redefines defamation as a civil offence. Speaking at his 10th press briefing this year, President Muizzu said that MP for Villimale Constituency, Mohamed Ismail, would submit the bill to Parliament. Parliament is expected to hear the first reading of the bill today. The President said that Islamic Shariah strongly enshrines the protection of reputation, such as revenge, property, and blood. He also reminded the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) that a true Muslim saves other Muslims from the evil... https://en.thepress.mv/19272 https://en.thepress.mv/19272 Mon, 09 Nov 2026 14:18:01 +0500 The Government has introduced the Real Estate Bill to Parliament to further strengthen the growing real estate market in the Maldives, with the aim of ensuring the rights of businessmen and home buyers. The bill's main objectives are to ensure that real estate projects and businesses in the Maldives are monitored by the relevant government agencies and conducted in accordance with strict rules. The Bill also prohibits selling alcohol and pork in the Integrated Real Estate Zones defined in the Bill. Properties developed in the zone designated under this section and businesses or occupants operating thereon shall not be permitted to import,... https://en.thepress.mv/19271 https://en.thepress.mv/19271 Mon, 09 Nov 2026 11:26:10 +0500 First Lady Sajidha Mohamed has called for an inclusive society in which everyone is valued and allowed to participate, emphasising that no one should be excluded because of circumstances beyond their control. She made the remarks while speaking at the Riveli Awards 2026 ceremony, held at Barceló Nasandhura last night, to recognise the achievements and contributions of persons with disabilities. Minister of Health, Family and Social Services Geela Ali welcomed the First Lady upon her arrival. During the ceremony, the First Lady presented the Riveli Awards 2026 to eight recipients. Addressing the award recipients, the First Lady described them as valued members... https://en.thepress.mv/19270 https://en.thepress.mv/19270 Mon, 09 Nov 2026 10:53:09 +0500 Police have launched an investigation into a case on an island in the center of the country, where a group of students allegedly cyberbullied a fellow student. Without revealing the island or the school the students belonged to, Police said that they were working with all relevant agencies, as the case involved several minors. The student is reportedly being targeted on TikTok, a social media platform. The perpetrators have made videos using the child's photo and made various threats. Many people on social media are expressing concern that the school and relevant authorities are not taking adequate action. Netizens have also called... https://en.thepress.mv/19269 https://en.thepress.mv/19269 Sun, 08 Nov 2026 15:14:05 +0500 Former Chairman of the main opposition party, MDP, Fayyaz Isamil, says the current five-year term of the ruling government is the most damaging and dangerous period the Maldives has faced economically and socially. Fayyaz, who is competing for MDP's Presidential ticket, said at a campaign event in Haa Aliu Dhihdhoo that the government's policies have pushed the economy backwards for 20 years and 30 years. He also said that the bitter effects of this will be felt more in the coming months and years. Speaking about MDP's congress-backed 'Big Change' policy, Fayyaz said one of the main purposes of this policy is... https://en.thepress.mv/19268 https://en.thepress.mv/19268 Sun, 08 Nov 2026 12:46:31 +0500 The Maldives Meteorological Service (Met Office) says heavy rain and the possibility of flooding are expected across the country from 7th to 11th November 2026. The Met Office said that the Southwest Monsoon has become active over the Maldives. It said that, due to this, widespread rain accompanied by occasional heavy showers and thunderstorms is expected over the country from 7th to 11th November. It also said that during this period, some islands may experience periods of torrential rain with the possibility of localized flooding. The Met Office advised all to stay updated with the latest weather forecasts and take... https://en.thepress.mv/19267 https://en.thepress.mv/19267 Sat, 07 Nov 2026 15:12:41 +0500 A whirlwind hit Shaviyani Lhaimagu and injured one person. The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) said a falling tin from a roof hit a man and broke his head. He is currently being treated at the health centre The NDMA said that the incident damaged the roofs of several houses and warehouses. It also said that it was working closely with the Island's council and other agencies to assess the damage caused by the weather incident on the island. The authorities are also working to provide necessary assistance to the victims. Most parts of the country are experiencing bad weather including thunderstorms,... https://en.thepress.mv/19266 https://en.thepress.mv/19266 Sat, 07 Nov 2026 14:04:36 +0500