
Iran's Foreign Minister announced on Friday that the strategic Strait of Hormuz, vital for global hydrocarbon trade, is "entirely open" for the duration of the Middle East ceasefire. Abbas Araghchi stated on X that the passage of all commercial vessels through the strait is permitted, aligning with the ceasefire in Lebanon. However, a senior Iranian military official, quoted by state television Irib, clarified that military vessel movements remain prohibited. Only civilian ships can traverse designated passages with permission from the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps navy. The reopening of the strait was a condition set by Iran for the truce between the Israeli army and the pro-Iranian Hezbollah movement, which began on Thursday at 9:00 PM GMT for ten days. The Iranian foreign minister did not specify if the opening would last until the end of the Lebanon ceasefire or the US-Iran ceasefire, which is theoretically set to end on April 22 but could be extended. Donald Trump welcomed Tehran's announcement, while cautioning that the US blockade on Iranian ports would continue until an agreement is reached. The US President posted on Truth Social that Iran had announced the strait was fully open and claimed Iran was removing all its naval mines with US support, stating it would "never again" close the strait, without providing further details. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron, following a multinational meeting in Paris on securing the strat
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Must ReadThe Minister of Environment, Rajesh Bhagwan, highlighted the global economy's reliance on international trade, which reached USD 33 trillion in 2024, representing 60% of global GDP, with financial services playing a crucial role. He warned of risks associated with massive capital flows, particularly in the offshore sector, which he described as a breeding ground for white-collar criminals due to shell companies and complex arrangements. Bhagwan referenced past scandals like the Panama Papers, Pandora Papers, Mauritius Leaks, and Paradise Papers, which damaged Mauritius's international image and led to sanctions. To address these issues, he advocated for the Anti-Money Laundering, Combatting the Financing of Terrorism and Countering Proliferation Financing Bill, stating its goal is to align Mauritius with the latest international standards set by the FATF and avoid re-inscription on the "grey list." He emphasized the need for annual progress despite having until 2027 to comply with FATF's 40 recommendations, warning of significant and lasting economic, financial, and reputational consequences for non-compliance. The bill also amends the Environment Act 2024, introducing new provisions to penalize deliberate evasion of environmental protection fees, including criminalizing false declarations and imposing substantial sanctions on those who mislead the Director General of the Mauritius Revenue Authority. Penalties include fines between Rs 100,000 and Rs 500,000, imprisonment up t
Must ReadMauritius has dismissed the Maldives' claims over the Chagos Archipelago, according to a statement from the Attorney General's Office. Mauritius bases its position on three factors: the International Court of Justice's Advisory Opinion of February 25, 2019; United Nations General Assembly Resolution 73/295 of May 22, 2019; and the Anglo-Mauritian treaty on the restitution of the archipelago to Mauritius dated May 22, 2025. The Mauritian Attorney General's Office specifically denied that the Maldives has any lawful claim regarding the Chagos Archipelago, including Diego Garcia. Mauritius asserts that its sovereignty over the Chagos Archipelago cannot be questioned by any state, citing international law, the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea's judgments from January 28, 2021, and April 28, 2023, and the UN General Assembly's resolution. This statement follows the Maldives' welcoming of the United Kingdom's decision to pause the handover of the Chagos to Mauritius, with the Maldives suggesting this pause offers an opportunity to restart negotiations on the archipelago's future.

A Nigerian national was recently intercepted at Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International Airport on suspicion of drug trafficking. His suspicious behavior upon disembarking the plane attracted the attention of officers from the Customs Anti-Narcotics Section and the Anti-Drug and Smuggling Unit ADSU. The individual was sweating abnormally in the air-conditioned arrival hall and was stopped as he was about to exit the Green Channel. During questioning, he confessed to acting as a "Body Packer," a method involving ingesting capsules containing narcotics to smuggle them across borders. He stated he had swallowed several pellets of cocaine intended for a Mauritian contact. The alleged mule was taken to Jawaharlal Nehru Hospital in Rose-Belle under police surveillance, where he has since expelled 58 pellets of cocaine over three days. The seized illicit goods are valued at over Rs 3 million. ADSU investigators are continuing their inquiries to identify any local and foreign accomplices involved in this transnational drug trafficking network. The suspect faces a provisional charge of drug importation and remains in preventive detention; his interrogation has not yet begun.
Must ReadA 14-year-old student opened fire at a school in southern Turkey on Wednesday, killing eight students and one teacher, and injuring 13 others. Six of the injured are in intensive care, with three in critical condition. The incident occurred in Kahramanmaras, where the student reportedly arrived at school with his father's weapons in his backpack and fired randomly in two classrooms around 1:30 PM local time. The targeted classes had students around 10 years old. A video authenticated by AFP showed students jumping from a first-floor window and others fleeing through the courtyard amidst screams and about fifteen gunshots. The shooter, the son of a former police inspector, died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, though authorities are investigating if it was suicide or occurred during the chaos. His parents have been arrested. This incident follows a similar attack the previous day at a high school 200 km east, which injured 16 people. School establishments in Kahramanmaras province will be closed on Thursday and Friday. Teachers' unions have called for a two-day strike across Turkey, protesting violence in schools. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan expressed sorrow over the "tragic attack" and promised a full investigation. Turkish Parliament President Numan Kurtulmus also offered condolences. School shootings are rare in Turkey, where millions of firearms are estimated to be in circulation, mostly illegally.