— The nation in focus —
President Mohamed Muizzu says the dollar payments start on 1 November and the tax changes on 1 January. He said the law changes needed are still under way.
The Meteorological Service says the event may become one of the strongest on record. NOAA’s satellite monitoring puts the Maldives’ reefs on bleaching watch, with its outlook rising to a warning level from late December.
President Mohamed Muizzu said 20 memoranda of understanding were exchanged in Islamabad, including on tourism, and that talks on direct flights were continuing.
The central bank said the money changer broke the regulation on money-changing businesses. It is the second money changer MMA has announced action against since August.
Kaafu’s 770,644 guests to 21 October were 46% of those recorded at resorts, hotels and guesthouses. Arrivals remain 3.2% behind 2025, but October’s shortfall has narrowed to 0.9%.
The bill, which would refund tax collected on these sales since 1 October, has moved to the committee stage. MIRA still lists 31 October as the registration deadline for overseas suppliers.
The rating rests on projected ocean warming over the next 50 years. On the past 50 years of change alone, the three Maldivian ecoregions are rated Vulnerable.
The two governments exchanged 20 memoranda in Islamabad on 21 October, including on defence and maritime security. Their texts have not been published.
The Foreign Ministry says it is time for a woman to lead the UN. Nusseibeh, nominated on 21 October, is one of seven candidates still in the race, five of them women.
