Good Morning Maldives: Thursday, 20 November 2025

Thursday, November 20, 2025, brings weather typical of the late southwest monsoon season with temperatures around 27-28 degrees Celsius. Parliament approved legislative changes reducing councilor numbers and dissolving atoll councils before local elections, sparking concerns about local governance. A constitutional amendment debate addresses constituency votes for MPs facing party changes. The government approved a budget of 64.2 billion Rufiyaa, largely for debt repayment, while planning to install automated e-gates at all international airports by 2026. Economic news includes criticism of the Taxi Nafaa loan scheme and a controversy surrounding the procurement of police body-worn cameras. A new primary healthcare center opened in Malé, and the Maldives received an award for tobacco control efforts. Socially, a blood donation campaign is gaining traction, but law enforcement reports human trafficking arrests and sexual assault investigations. In sports, the Maldives is set to participate in the SAFF Futsal Championship, and Arena Hotels won a local futsal tournament.