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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

The British Indian Ocean Territory was created when the Chagos Islands were carved out of Mauritius in the 1960s. Local families were removed to make way for a joint US-British military base. Photo: Getty Images

US-China relations

A military base, a displaced people and Trump’s China fears: Burnham’s Chagos test

Britain’s new prime minister’s first challenge may lie in the Indian Ocean where the future of a US-British facility remains unresolved.

3 Aug 2026 - 11:00PM

US-China relations

Exclusive | US official confirms Chagos talks amid reports Trump may buy strategic islands

23 Jun 2026 - 1:58PMvideocam

Donald Trump

US considers ‘buying’ Chagos Islands from Mauritius

8 Jun 2026 - 8:42AM

United States

US to slash number of embassies in Africa that process visas

US State Department consolidation will force applicants across the continent to travel to 20 central hubs.

2 Jun 2026 - 10:32AM

US President Donald Trump and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Photo: EPA

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

The Labour government will not include legislation supporting the handover in its parliamentary agenda without support from Washington.

11 Apr 2026 - 5:11PM

US, Israel war on Iran

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

The attack on the Diego Garcia facility is the first time in the war that Tehran has been reported to have used weapons with such a range.

22 Mar 2026 - 12:08AMvideocam

A US bomber takes off from the Diego Garcia military base in 2001. Photo: Handout via AFP

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

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

Chikungunya is a virus spread by mosquito bites. Photo: dpa

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

The cauldron, with the Olympic flame lit, lifts off while attached to a balloon during the opening ceremony of the 2024 Paris Olympic Games. Photo: AFP

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

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Mauritius

A military base, a displaced people and Trump’s China fears: Burnham’s Chagos test

Britain’s new prime minister’s first challenge may lie in the Indian Ocean where the future of a US-British facility remains unresolved.

.css-1f6sr3w{color:#727272;}Exclusive | US official confirms Chagos talks amid reports Trump may buy strategic islands

US considers ‘buying’ Chagos Islands from Mauritius

US to slash number of embassies in Africa that process visas

US State Department consolidation will force applicants across the continent to travel to 20 central hubs.

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

The Labour government will not include legislation supporting the handover in its parliamentary agenda without support from Washington.

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

The attack on the Diego Garcia facility is the first time in the war that Tehran has been reported to have used weapons with such a range.

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.

Exclusive | US official confirms Chagos talks amid reports Trump may buy strategic islands

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