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Mauritius

The latest news, analysis and opinion on Mauritius. In-depth analysis, industry insights and expert opinion.

Capital

Port Louis

Head of State

Prime Minister Prithvirajsing Roopun

Head of Government

Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth

Taiwan leader William Lai Ching-te speaks during an interview in Taipei in February. Photo: AFP

US-China relations

US slams Beijing after African countries block Taiwan leader’s eSwatini trip

A State Department official called the incident an abuse of the international civil aviation system.

23 Apr 2026 - 8:15AMvideocam

US, Israel war on Iran

Trump critique pauses UK handover of Chagos Islands to Mauritius

11 Apr 2026 - 5:11PM

US, Israel war on Iran

Iran fires missiles at UK-US base in Indian Ocean, 4,000km away

22 Mar 2026 - 12:08AMvideocam

United States

Trump tells Starmer ‘do not give away Diego Garcia’ in new attack on Chagos deal

President says the UK should not lose control of Indian Ocean island by entering ‘tenuous’ lease, amid concerns about China’s growing ties there.

19 Feb 2026 - 2:53PMvideocam

Diego Garcia has long been a strategic asset for US missions. Photo: AFP

Diplomacy

Opinion | Why UK Prime Minister Starmer’s visit to China could be historic

The British prime minister must decide whether Britain has the strength to look east and west, and not simply look inward.

26 Jan 2026 - 9:28PMvideocam

Britain

‘A nasty disease’: UK warns travellers as imported chikungunya cases rise

The UK Health Security Agency has also detected the first cases of the emerging disease oropouche virus in the country.

14 Aug 2025 - 2:13PMvideocam

Hong Kong healthcare and hospitals

Hong Kong’s No 2 official urges calm over fears of chikungunya fever outbreak

City’s five cases recorded in a week are ‘from the mainland or imported from overseas’, Eric Chan says.

9 Aug 2025 - 9:12PM

A worker from the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department carries out Aedes mosquito control work at Lei Tung Estate. Photo: Karma Lo

Hong Kong healthcare and hospitals

Hong Kong uncovers new imported chikungunya fever case, bringing tally to 5

Case involves woman, 66, who just returned from Guangdong, while another probable patient under observation after three-country trip.

9 Aug 2025 - 1:20AM

China travel

China’s thrill-seekers eye adventure tourism as social media lures them off-grid

A growing contingent of Chinese tourists seeks ‘shareable’ and ‘off-the-beaten-path experiences’, away from the hustle and bustle of urban sightseeing.

22 Jun 2025 - 11:00AM

United States

Opinion | Why UK-Mauritius deal over military base is more than a legal milestone

Once seen as a relic of colonialism, the Chagos Archipelago has evolved into a flashpoint in global strategic competition.

28 May 2025 - 7:25AM

Britain

UK signs Chagos deal with Mauritius, says China sought its ‘collapse’

Multibillion-dollar agreement for 99 years sees Britain keep control of military base on Diego Garcia jointly run with the US.

23 May 2025 - 1:32PM

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer (irght), accompanied by General Sir Jim Hockenhull, speaks during a press conference at Northwood military base in west London on Wednesday. Pool photo: EPA-EFE

United States

My Take | Donald Trump’s tariff madness targets not only allies but animals

Penguins, seals and seabirds have not been spared in America’s global trade war, likewise territories with significant US or allied military assets.

4 Apr 2025 - 9:00PM

United States

Trump signals support for Britain’s plan to transfer control of strategic Chagos Islands

But some Republicans worry about handover to Mauritius, a close China ally, as archipelago includes US-UK military base Diego Garcia.

1 Mar 2025 - 12:30AMvideocam

US-China relations

Republicans urge Britain to oppose China’s plans for new embassy in London

Ahead of British PM Keir Starmer’s Washington trip, two House lawmakers say outpost would help Beijing ‘intimidate and harass’ dissidents.

28 Feb 2025 - 12:43AM

Royal Mint Court, the site of the proposed new Chinese embassy in London. Photo: EPA-EFE

Donald Trump

UK’s Starmer to meet with Trump in Washington next week

Starmer’s planned trip comes as Britain faces the looming threat of US trade tariffs, but Trump says it will be a ‘friendly meeting’.

18 Feb 2025 - 4:08PMvideocam

Britain

Britain to give Chagos Island to Mauritius, retain US-UK military base

Operation of Diego Garcia, a strategic military base jointly operated by the UK and US, is protected by the agreement.

3 Oct 2024 - 8:20PM

Paris 2024 Olympic Games

While you were sleeping: 5 things to know from the opening ceremony in Paris

Lady Gaga dazzled, a mystery man came and went without a trace, some athletes got very wet, and the Olympic cauldron broke new ground.

27 Jul 2024 - 7:39AM

China-Africa relations

Can China balance local interests with its needs as it eyes African fish stocks?

The country is investing heavily in port facilities across the continent, but its trawlers are accused of putting local stocks at risk.

16 Jun 2024 - 3:13PMvideocam

A Chinese-flagged vessel is stopped by coastguards of the coast of Liberia on suspicion of illegal fishing. Photo: Sea Shepherd

India

Opinion | Modi’s third term could be boon for India-Asean cooperation and trade

The ‘Act East’ policy needs fine-tuning but is likely to remain a key part of India’s increasingly close ties with Southeast Asian nations.

16 Jun 2024 - 7:39AMvideocam

Malaysia 1MDB scandal

Rosmah’s US$346 million 1MDB haul came from Hong Kong, US, UAE: Malaysia court

The wife of jailed former prime minister Najib Razak is accused of using money from the plundered state fund to buy luxury goods.

12 Jun 2024 - 2:29PMvideocam

Profile

Writer, actor and director Saurabh Shukla on his Hong Kong stage show

Saurabh Shukla, who will be bringing his stage show Barff – Hindi for ‘snow’ – to Hong Kong in June, talks about being typecast for his large frame and still feeling 22 at the age of 60.

27 May 2024 - 11:35AM

Indian writer, actor and director Saurabh Shukla. Photo: Saurabh Shukla

Crime in Hong Kong

Strong core values just as vital as laws in anti-graft fight: top Hong Kong judge

Chief Justice Andrew Cheung says public education has been key to success of city’s anti-graft agency.

22 May 2024 - 5:25PM

Chief Justice Andrew Cheung says not all behaviour involving corruption can be considered a crime, but the insidious nature of such actions harms the rule of law “beyond measure”. Photo: Dickson Lee

India

Britain’s political turmoil upends promised trade deal with India

Talks on a deal have been ongoing since 2022 but appear to have stalled amid a succession of UK prime ministers and the ruling Conservative Party’s electoral malaise.

21 May 2024 - 3:55PM

Belt and Road Initiative

China’s technical expertise touted as new vehicle for progress on belt and road

Technology transfers have always been officially part of China’s belt and road plan, but analysts say those types of exchanges are being increasingly prioritised as Beijing bids to boost ties.

17 Mar 2024 - 8:00AMvideocam

Malaysia Airlines flight 370

10 years on, what ever happened to Malaysia Airlines flight MH370?

In this week’s issue of the Global Impact newsletter, we reflect on renewed hope for the resumption of a search for Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 a decade after its mysterious disappearance.

11 Mar 2024 - 2:08PMvideocam

Malaysia

Opinion | Can Malaysia’s MH370 aircraft still be found, 10 years after it disappeared?

Previous searches in the Indian Ocean did not locate any wreckage, although several pieces of debris have washed up over the years.

9 Mar 2024 - 11:06AMvideocam

A family member of passengers and crew on board the missing Malaysian Airlines flight MH370 writes on a memorial wall during a remembrance event marking the 10th anniversary of its disappearance in Selangor, Malaysia, on March 3. Photo: EPA-EFE

Aviation

Why China’s MH370 families are still searching for the missing a decade on

For those left behind, the need to find their children, grandchildren and parents is as urgent as ever.

8 Mar 2024 - 3:44PMvideocam

Middle East

Red Sea faces ‘environmental disaster’ as sunk cargo ship spills oil, fertiliser

A vibrant fishing industry, coral reefs and desalination plants supplying millions with drinking water are at risk after fertiliser and oil spilled into the Red Sea by the sinking of a cargo ship attacked by Yemen’s Houthi rebels.

3 Mar 2024 - 12:57PMvideocam

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Mauritius

US slams Beijing after African countries block Taiwan leader’s eSwatini trip

A State Department official called the incident an abuse of the international civil aviation system.

Trump critique pauses UK handover of Chagos Islands to Mauritius

Iran fires missiles at UK-US base in Indian Ocean, 4,000km away

Trump tells Starmer ‘do not give away Diego Garcia’ in new attack on Chagos deal

President says the UK should not lose control of Indian Ocean island by entering ‘tenuous’ lease, amid concerns about China’s growing ties there.

.css-1pcrwvc{color:#2aa191;}Opinion | Why UK Prime Minister Starmer’s visit to China could be historic

The British prime minister must decide whether Britain has the strength to look east and west, and not simply look inward.

‘A nasty disease’: UK warns travellers as imported chikungunya cases rise

The UK Health Security Agency has also detected the first cases of the emerging disease oropouche virus in the country.

Hong Kong’s No 2 official urges calm over fears of chikungunya fever outbreak

City’s five cases recorded in a week are ‘from the mainland or imported from overseas’, Eric Chan says.

Hong Kong uncovers new imported chikungunya fever case, bringing tally to 5

Case involves woman, 66, who just returned from Guangdong, while another probable patient under observation after three-country trip.

China’s thrill-seekers eye adventure tourism as social media lures them off-grid

A growing contingent of Chinese tourists seeks ‘shareable’ and ‘off-the-beaten-path experiences’, away from the hustle and bustle of urban sightseeing.

Opinion | Why UK-Mauritius deal over military base is more than a legal milestone

Once seen as a relic of colonialism, the Chagos Archipelago has evolved into a flashpoint in global strategic competition.

UK signs Chagos deal with Mauritius, says China sought its ‘collapse’

Multibillion-dollar agreement for 99 years sees Britain keep control of military base on Diego Garcia jointly run with the US.

My Take | Donald Trump’s tariff madness targets not only allies but animals

Penguins, seals and seabirds have not been spared in America’s global trade war, likewise territories with significant US or allied military assets.

Trump signals support for Britain’s plan to transfer control of strategic Chagos Islands

But some Republicans worry about handover to Mauritius, a close China ally, as archipelago includes US-UK military base Diego Garcia.

Republicans urge Britain to oppose China’s plans for new embassy in London

Ahead of British PM Keir Starmer’s Washington trip, two House lawmakers say outpost would help Beijing ‘intimidate and harass’ dissidents.

UK’s Starmer to meet with Trump in Washington next week

Starmer’s planned trip comes as Britain faces the looming threat of US trade tariffs, but Trump says it will be a ‘friendly meeting’.

Britain to give Chagos Island to Mauritius, retain US-UK military base

Operation of Diego Garcia, a strategic military base jointly operated by the UK and US, is protected by the agreement.

While you were sleeping: 5 things to know from the opening ceremony in Paris

Lady Gaga dazzled, a mystery man came and went without a trace, some athletes got very wet, and the Olympic cauldron broke new ground.

Can China balance local interests with its needs as it eyes African fish stocks?

The country is investing heavily in port facilities across the continent, but its trawlers are accused of putting local stocks at risk.

Opinion | Modi’s third term could be boon for India-Asean cooperation and trade

The ‘Act East’ policy needs fine-tuning but is likely to remain a key part of India’s increasingly close ties with Southeast Asian nations.

Rosmah’s US$346 million 1MDB haul came from Hong Kong, US, UAE: Malaysia court

The wife of jailed former prime minister Najib Razak is accused of using money from the plundered state fund to buy luxury goods.

Writer, actor and director Saurabh Shukla on his Hong Kong stage show

Saurabh Shukla, who will be bringing his stage show Barff – Hindi for ‘snow’ – to Hong Kong in June, talks about being typecast for his large frame and still feeling 22 at the age of 60.

Strong core values just as vital as laws in anti-graft fight: top Hong Kong judge

Chief Justice Andrew Cheung says public education has been key to success of city’s anti-graft agency.

Britain’s political turmoil upends promised trade deal with India

Talks on a deal have been ongoing since 2022 but appear to have stalled amid a succession of UK prime ministers and the ruling Conservative Party’s electoral malaise.

China’s technical expertise touted as new vehicle for progress on belt and road

Technology transfers have always been officially part of China’s belt and road plan, but analysts say those types of exchanges are being increasingly prioritised as Beijing bids to boost ties.

10 years on, what ever happened to Malaysia Airlines flight MH370?

In this week’s issue of the Global Impact newsletter, we reflect on renewed hope for the resumption of a search for Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 a decade after its mysterious disappearance.

Opinion | Can Malaysia’s MH370 aircraft still be found, 10 years after it disappeared?

Previous searches in the Indian Ocean did not locate any wreckage, although several pieces of debris have washed up over the years.

Why China’s MH370 families are still searching for the missing a decade on

For those left behind, the need to find their children, grandchildren and parents is as urgent as ever.

Red Sea faces ‘environmental disaster’ as sunk cargo ship spills oil, fertiliser

A vibrant fishing industry, coral reefs and desalination plants supplying millions with drinking water are at risk after fertiliser and oil spilled into the Red Sea by the sinking of a cargo ship attacked by Yemen’s Houthi rebels.

Opinion | Why UK Prime Minister Starmer’s visit to China could be historic