MIFCO has stated that the government will distribute a case of 48 cans of tuna to each household as a benefit for the upcoming Ramadan. President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu announced the decision to provide a government-funded case of canned fish to every household during Ramadan at a ceremony held to mark the first anniversary of the government. At the ceremony, President Muizzu said that preparations are underway through STO to provide a case of canned fish to each household during Ramadan.

MIFCO said today that the company needs to produce an additional 100,000 cans of fish for Ramadan compared to the number of cans they usually produce for the month, and they are preparing for this. The government had provided a bag of rice and flour to each household during the last Ramadan. Additionally, the government had also given discounts on water and electricity bills during the previous Ramadan.

Construction Minister Dr. Abdullah Muththalib stated today that the flooding in Maafannu is due to damage to a stormwater pump station caused by the negligence of the Male’ City Council. In a post on X, Muththalib said that the stormwater pump station located in Maafannu Cemetery was damaged during an excavation work carried out by the Male’ City Council.

Muththalib said that the damage caused by the work, which was carried out without obtaining permission from the Ministry of Construction, has resulted in flooding issues in the Maafannu area. “The excavation work in Maafannu Cemetery was carried out very irresponsibly by the Male’ City Council and their contractors. The stormwater pump station has been damaged during that work. They did this without informing the Ministry,” he said. They did this without informing the Ministry,” he said.

Muththalib stated that work is underway to repair the damage to the pump station and restore it to its normal condition.

President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu is set to depart on an official visit to the European country of Estonia next Monday. The President’s Office stated today that this visit, scheduled from Monday to Thursday, is in response to a special invitation from Estonian President Dr. Alar Karis. This marks the first time a Maldivian President has visited Estonia.

During the President’s visit, discussions will be held between the governments of the two countries to strengthen bilateral relations and explore areas of cooperation. The President’s Office said that the talks will primarily focus on collaboration in digital, cyber, and e-governance sectors, as well as addressing climate change and environmental issues, and seeking assistance in the fields of science and education. In addition to meeting with the Estonian President, President Muizzu will also meet with the Speaker of the Estonian Parliament and various ministers. Arrangements have also been made for the President to visit some important sites in the country.

Accompanying the President on this trip are Foreign Minister Dr. Abdulla Khaleel, Homeland Minister Ali Ihsaan, and other senior government officials. Estonia, while small in population compared to other European countries, is renowned worldwide for its strong digital economy, which has been established by providing opportunities for innovative thinkers. It is also globally recognized as one of the most favorable environments for private businesses. Establishing a digital economy in the Maldives is also one of President Muizzu’s pledges. Therefore, the President’s Office stated that this visit will be crucial in the President’s efforts to achieve this goal.

Speaking on Sun Online’s “Editor’s Question” program, Hamdhaan said that they are in discussions with a foreign agency to secure this funding, and some surveys related to this have already been conducted. He also mentioned that they are in the process of clarifying some necessary details. “At this juncture, we are working to set the loan agreements and loan terms in a way that is most beneficial to the Maldivian state. We expect to receive the finance within the next two months at the latest,” Hamdhaan said.

Explaining the reason for the need for additional funds for this project, Hamdhaan stated that the previous government had removed many aspects from the project’s scope. This includes important components such as landscaping, garbage chutes, commercial lifts, signage, parking areas, booster pumps, boom gates, finger cables, sewage connections, and water connections. “About an hour before signing the project, booster pumps used to pump water to the upper floors of the building were removed from the project scope,” Hamdhaan said.

Hamdhaan noted that due to all these issues, securing new finance for a previously financed project is a significant challenge. However, he stated that they are working to obtain this funding as quickly as possible.

The National Meteorological Service (Met) has revealed that Male received the heaviest rainfall in the past 24 hours. As Met published the list of islands with the most rainfall in the last 24 hours, Male received 130.7 millimeters of rain. Hulhule received the second highest amount of rainfall, with 79.5 millimeters.

AA. Thoddoo received the third highest amount of rain, while GDh. Kaadedhdhoo received the fourth highest amount of rainfall at 54.4 millimeters, according to Met.

Areas with heavy rainfall in the past 24 hours:

Male – 130.7 mm of rain
Hulhule – 79.5 mm of rain
AA. Thoddoo – 70.3 mm of rain
GDh. Kaadedhdhoo – 54.4 mm of rain
N. Mafaru – 49.5 mm of rain
V. Rakeedhoo – 48.3 mm of rain
Hulhumale – 43.5 mm of rain
L. Maavah – 35.5 mm of rain

Forecasting today’s weather, the Met Office said that the northern and central atolls will experience rain and thunderstorms in various areas. Heavy rain is also expected in some islands. Met has also indicated that the southern areas will be affected by strong winds and that thunderstorms are likely.

Donald Trump, who will assume the presidency of the United States for the second time next week, has been sentenced today to no punishment for the proven charges of paying hush money to conceal an affair with an adult film actress. With this ruling, Trump becomes the first leader to serve as US President with a criminal conviction.

Although Trump was found guilty in May 2024 of 34 counts of falsifying business records, which could have resulted in a prison sentence, the judge decided not to impose either a jail term or a fine on Trump. This is a rare decision by US courts. “Never before has this court been presented with such a unique and notable set of circumstances,” said Judge Juan Merchan. “In a situation where guilt has been established, the legal punishment that can be given without obstructing the highest office in the nation is unconditional release.”

As per the court’s previous instructions, Trump participated virtually in the sentencing hearing. The courtroom was packed with lawyers and media personnel. Before the sentencing, Trump said this was a very bad experience and that it was a loss for New York and its court system as well. “This is an attempt to assassinate my character. This is an attempt to prevent me from winning the election,” he said.

Before pronouncing the sentence, prosecutor Joshua Steinglass said that Trump had been found guilty of “planned and repeated acts of deception.” The prosecutors said that the guilty verdict was unanimous and should be respected. However, the prosecutors also stated that since Trump has now been elected president and is preparing to take the oath of office on the 20th of this month, this should not be obstructed, and the responsibilities of the highest office in the country must be respected. Even though Trump was determined to be a criminal, not imposing any punishment was also proposed by the prosecution.

Hussain Amru, who was the first Managing Director of State Trading Organization (STO) in the previous government, has left the Democrats and rejoined the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP). The Democrats’ political activities have been quiet for quite some time. After failing to win any seats in the parliamentary elections, the party has not conducted any major political activities.

Afterwards, Amru, who played a crucial role in founding the party, had gradually stepped back from the political arena. The announcement of Amru leaving the Democrats and rejoining the MDP was made by Ali Niyaz, a senior member of the MDP and former member for the Hulhumale’ constituency. Niyaz welcomed Amru in a post on X (Twitter).

The Democrats was formed by a group who split from the MDP, supporters of former President Mohamed Nasheed, due to ideological differences. Members who left MDP to join the Democrats had strongly criticized the MDP government and party, stating that they had failed.

The President of the Maldives, Dr. Mohamed Muizzu, has congratulated Joseph Aoun on his election as the President of Lebanon.

In his congratulatory message, President Dr. Muizzu highlighted that the close relationship between the Maldives and Lebanon is based on noble Islamic values. The President also assured that he would work towards further strengthening the fraternal ties between the two countries. Additionally, in the message, he wished the Lebanese President wisdom and success in bringing peace and further progress to Lebanon.

Concluding his message, the President wished the new Lebanese President, Aoun, good health, happiness, and peace and progress for the brotherly people of Lebanon. Lebanon had been without a president since October 2022, when the term of former President Michel Aoun ended. Since then, over the past two years, the Lebanese parliament had attempted 12 times to appoint a president.

Joseph Aoun was elected as President yesterday by a two-thirds majority vote in Lebanon’s 128-seat parliament.

China’s Foreign Minister, Wang Yi, has assured President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu that projects planned to be initiated in the Maldives with Chinese assistance will be expedited. Foreign Minister Wang Yi met with the President at the President’s Office this evening during a personal visit to the Maldives. During this meeting, President Dr. Muizzu acknowledged China’s close relationship with the Maldives and expressed gratitude for the assistance provided by China for the development and progress of the Maldives in recent years.

Furthermore, President Dr. Muizzu highlighted the importance of expediting the projects included in the development agreements made between the two countries during his trip to China. He emphasized that social housing and modernizing roads are currently the biggest social issues facing Maldivian citizens, and sought China’s assistance in resolving these issues.

Additionally, the President stated that China’s assistance is greatly needed in further expanding and developing fisheries and agriculture. Wang praised President Muizzu’s government’s economic policies and assured continued assistance and cooperation from China for the Maldives’ development. Wang also assured readiness to assist in expediting the infrastructure development projects carried out with Chinese aid.

Wang stated that despite the size difference between the two countries, the Maldives and China have proven that they can work together for development and progress. The two officials also discussed other areas where the two countries could collaborate during this meeting.

The Maldives Monetary Authority (MMA) has ordered businesses earning $15 million or more annually to register with the authority. This directive has been issued under the newly implemented Foreign Currency Act. The MMA has gazetted the “Regulation on Registration under the Foreign Currency Act” under this law.

According to the MMA, among those selling goods and providing services in the tourism sector, those who have not previously registered must do so before the 13th of this month. New businesses are instructed to register within 30 days, while businesses outside the tourism and financial sectors that earned more than $15 million in 2024 must register before February 3.

From 2025 onwards, entities earning more than $15 million annually must register before the end of January of the following year. The MMA has stated that those required to register must do so through the Foreign Exchange Registration Portal available on the MMA website.

The main objective of this new regulation is to monitor foreign currency transactions of large businesses operating in the Maldives and to strengthen the country’s economic activities. By registering such businesses, the MMA will receive important information about the circulation of foreign currency in the Maldives, making it easier to formulate related policies. Economic experts predict that this will further strengthen the foreign exchange market and increase the country’s economic well-being. However, some business owners have expressed concerns about the regulation, calling it an additional bureaucracy.