Malé City Mayor Adam Azim has defended the employment of expatriate workers in local markets, arguing that businesses rely on foreign labour due to the shortage of available Maldivian workers.

The Maldives Police Service has completed its investigation into the alleged illegal slaughter and consumption of sea turtles on the uninhabited island of Hulhudhoo in Baa Atoll, forwarding the case to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for further action.