Middle East conflict: latest developments
via Le Mauricien3 min read
Russian President Vladimir Putin is scheduled to meet with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi in Russia. Araghchi arrived in Saint Petersburg on Monday morning. Oil prices rose by approximately 1% on Monday morning in Asia due to ongoing uncertainty in the Middle East, following the cancellation of further talks between Iran and the United States and near-paralysis in the Strait of Hormuz. The price of West Texas Intermediate WTI crude for June delivery increased by 0.96% to $95.31, while Brent North Sea crude for the same month rose by 1.22% to $106.61 per barrel. Lebanese authorities reported that Israeli strikes in southern Lebanon on Sunday killed 14 people, including two children, and injured 37 others, marking the highest daily death toll since a ceasefire began on April 17. US President Donald Trump stated on Fox News that direct negotiations would no longer occur, after canceling a planned trip to Pakistan involving his son-in-law Jared Kushner and special envoy Steve Witkoff for talks with Iran. Trump asserted, "We have all the cards. If they want to talk, they can come to us, or they can call us, we have very good secure phone lines." The Israeli army announced the death of Sergeant Idan Fooks, 19, in southern Lebanon on Sunday, with an officer and five other soldiers injured in the same "incident." Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi returned to Islamabad after visiting Oman as part of ongoing efforts to restart negotiations to end the war. According to th
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Joseph Nicolas Eimilien, known as Ras Natty Baby, a prominent Mauritian singer, songwriter, and activist, passed away in the intensive care unit following a rapid deterioration of his health. He had undergone a complex cardiac intervention, which included stent placement and advanced interventional cardiology procedures, and was initially deemed technically successful. Despite the successful operation, his condition progressively worsened in the hours and days that followed. Medical evaluations indicated severe hemodynamic instability, significant respiratory failure, and multi-organ failure. Intensive support measures, including assisted ventilation and treatments to support blood circulation, were implemented, but medical teams could not reverse the critical progression of his state. He ultimately succumbed to complications. The OMCA Foundation, which supported his treatment, had faced difficulties in raising necessary funds. Ras Natty Baby, born on April 14, 1954, in Rodrigues, was a pioneer of seggae, a musical genre blending Mauritian sega and reggae. Over a career spanning more than three decades, he released several albums and was known for his socially conscious songs, such as "Leve do mo pep," which denounced social injustices, poverty, and inequalities. Deeply influenced by Rastafarian philosophy, he used his music as a tool for activism and was a founding member of the Mauritius Society of Authors MASA, advocating for artists' rights and marginalized communities. H
Must ReadA constitutional review, with a focus on electoral system reform, is underway, as indicated by discussions at the Government Hotel ahead of a recent ministerial council meeting. These deliberations served as an initial round of observations among stakeholders, particularly partners of the Alliance du Changement, on this sensitive issue. Further high-level government working sessions are planned before the final draft of amendments is approved. One key legislative text under consideration aims to abolish the requirement for general election candidates to declare their ethnic affiliation on nomination forms. This proposed change, which requires a qualified majority in the National Assembly, would impact the relevance of the Best Loser System and aligns with a condition set by Rezistans Ek Alternativ during the November 10, 2024, general elections. The upcoming National Assembly session on Tuesday will feature 71 interpellations, with 26 allocated for Prime Minister's Question Time. Among these, a question from Ram Etwareea, a majority backbencher, will address the pension formula for former presidents, vice-presidents, ministers, and retired parliamentarians. He will ask the Prime Minister to provide a list of beneficiaries and the monthly budget allocated, and to state whether the government plans to review the current parliamentary pension formula. Other topics for the parliamentary session include Roshan Jhummun's question on police officers arrested in drug trafficking inve
Must ReadThe Ministry of Health services has identified two confirmed cases of Mpox, involving a 46-year-old Mauritian and a 31-year-old Comorian. Both individuals recently traveled to Madagascar, where several Mpox cases have been reported. After initial treatment at Victoria Hospital in Candos and Jeetoo Hospital in Port-Louis, the patients were transferred to Souillac Hospital, which has a specialized isolation unit. The interim Director of Health Services, Dr. Fazil Khodabocus, stated that a medical team is closely monitoring them. The Comorian patient initially left the hospital after being identified as a suspected case but was later located by police and placed in the southern facility. Both patients are in stable condition. As these are imported cases, the Ministry of Health is rigorously tracking them and has initiated contact tracing to prevent further spread. Two additional individuals are currently in isolation. In other public health news, Chikungunya cases have significantly increased, with 1,577 cases recorded from January to April 23, and 90 active cases. The most affected areas include Rose-Hill – Stanley, Camp Levieux, and Plaisance, with the epidemic also progressing towards Quatre-Bornes, Boundary, and Roche Brunes. Leptospirosis has claimed a fourth victim this week, with 16 cases identified since the beginning of the year. The Director of Health Services urged the public to seek medical attention for symptoms and for manual workers, such as sanitation workers, to
Must ReadEleven months after the Chagos Deal was signed, confirming the restitution of the Chagos Archipelago to Mauritian sovereignty and marking the final stage of Mauritius' decolonization, London and Port Louis are engaged in an operation to "Keep the Pot Boiling." A British delegation, led by Robbie Bulloch, Director, Overseas Territories and Polar Directorate and Lead Negotiator; Peter Candler, Senior Diego Garcia Treaty Negotiator, Overseas Territories and Polar Directorate; and Paul Mckell, Legal Director, held a working session with the Mauritian side, led by Attorney General Gavin Glover, Senior Counsel. The British officials were also received by Prime Minister Navin Ramgoolam for an exchange of views. British High Commissioner Paul Brummel accompanied the delegation. A statement from the Government Information Service confirmed that the two delegations discussed the Chagos Archipelago's restitution to Mauritius, with Mr. Bulloch highlighting the need for an agreement to finalize the treaty. The head of the British delegation stated that the meeting with the Prime Minister was an opportunity to exchange views, while recalling that Mauritius and the UK have been working closely for many years. Robbie Bulloch indicated that the key to the deadlock on the Chagos Deal lies with the Americans, with President Donald Trump needing to approve amendments to the Exchange of Notes of December 30, 1966, concerning the Chagos. He also emphasized that "all parties concerned must reach an