Latest Indian Ocean News

SpaceX launches giant Starship rocket, but aborts attempt to catch booster with mechanical arms

Nov. 20, 2024 15:33 PM EST

SpaceX on Tuesday launched another Starship rocket, but passed up catching the booster with giant mechanical arms. Unlike last month’s success, the booster was directed to a splashdown in the Gulf of Mexico. The catch was called off just four minutes into the test flight from Texas...

The island of Mauritius, praised as an African success story, will hold its national election

Nov. 08, 2024 12:54 PM EST

JOHANNESBURG (AP) — The Indian Ocean island nation of Mauritius will hold a national election Sunday, when Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth seeks to win a second term as leader of a nation often praised as one of Africa's success stories. Mauritius, which sits about 2,000 kilometers...

Mauritius suspends access to social media ahead of parliamentary elections

Nov. 01, 2024 10:24 AM EDT

JOHANNESBURG (AP) — The government of Mauritius on Friday banned access to social media websites ahead of parliamentary elections on Nov. 10 in which Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth is seeking a second term in power. The directive was announced by the national communications...

In an engineering feat, mechanical SpaceX arms catch Starship rocket booster back at the launch pad

Oct. 13, 2024 13:15 PM EDT

SpaceX pulled off the boldest test flight yet of its enormous Starship rocket on Sunday, catching the returning booster back at the launch pad with mechanical arms. A jubilant Elon Musk called it “science fiction without the fiction part.” Towering almost 400 feet...

India offers financial support to Maldives after talks to repair ties

Oct. 07, 2024 06:40 AM EDT

NEW DELHI (AP) — India stepped up its development assistance to the Maldives after the two leaders held talks in New Delhi on Monday in a bid to repair strained ties that saw the president of the Indian Ocean archipelago forging closer relations with China. After the talks, Prime...

Comoros president is 'slightly injured' in knife attack. The suspect is found dead in police cell

Sep. 14, 2024 09:42 AM EDT

MORONI, Comoros (AP) — The president of the Indian Ocean island nation of Comoros was "slightly injured" in a knife attack while attending the funeral of a religious leader on Friday, his office said. The suspect, who was identified as a 24-year-old male soldier, was then found dead in a police...