Rocker Johnny Hallyday cancels gig over swine flu Sep 5, 2009
Hallyday has cancelled a concert in Reunion due to the rapid spread of swine flu on the Indian Ocean island, his producer said on Friday. PARIS (AFP) - Veteran French rocker Johnny Hallyday has cancelled a concert in Reunion due to the rapid spread of swine flu on the Indian Ocean island, his producer said on Friday. (Yahoo! Asia News)
U.N. urges Madagascar leaders to respect deal Sep 4, 2009
The country's power-brokers have failed to agree on who should lead a consensus government which would be given the task of restoring constitutional order on the oil and mineral-endowed Indian Ocean island after months of political instability. "There is no alternative to a political agreement and a consensual transition," Ban said in a written statement released late on Thursday. (AlertNet)
India drops anchor in the Maldives Sep 2, 2009
While the immediate reason for enhanced defense cooperation is to build military assets in the Maldives to guard against terrorists and pirates, observers also view India's military positioning in the Indian Ocean island nation as a furtherance of its longer-term military deterrence against China. India has for some while talked of a naval base and a listening post in the Maldives to contain Beijing's growing muscle in the region. (Asia Times Online)
Himalayan challenge of climate change Aug 31, 2009
Rising sea levels are endangering the Maldives, the Indian Ocean island republic and its population of about 390,000 people and could disrupt economic activity for about 100 million people living in the coastal belt of South Asia, according to the Kathmandu conference Web site. Water shortages. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Business)
Swine virus more lethal than seasonal flu Aug 26, 2009
But preliminary analysis of infection and mortality statistics from the French territory of New Caledonia and the Indian Ocean island nation of Mauritius suggest that the new A(H1N1) virus directly caused an ARDS fatality for every 10,000 cases, Flahault told AFP.. In New Caledonia, local health authorities have reported 30,000 infections and two deaths attributed directly to the pandemic virus. (India Times, India)
Political force Aug 13, 2009
As the Indian Ocean island begins a UN-brokered period of transition, the BBC's Christina Corbett reports that the political crisis has inspired a generation of cyber-savvy Malagasies to take to cyberspace. After a year of stresses and strains, both claimants to the title of president of Madagascar appear to have come to an agreement. (BBC News -- Africa)
Madagascar: New Deal Could Unblock Aid Pipeline Aug 11, 2009
Before the crisis the US, one of the main donor countries, spent over $110 per year on development on the Indian Ocean Island "but we had to stop all funding to or through the HAT [Higher Transitional Authority - Rajoelina's self-appointed administration]," Rodney Ford, public affairs officer at the US embassy in Madagascar, told IRIN.. "We are now in a wait-and-see mode and are watching the implementation phase [of the agreement] to see what happens.". (allAfrica.com)
* MPs look into missing CIA papers Aug 10, 2009
British Foreign Secretary David Miliband admitted 18 months ago that two US planes refueled on the Indian Ocean island. The committee now wants a detailed account of the record-keeping and disposal policy regarding flights through the territory and elsewhere through UK airspace. (Taipei Times, Taiwan -- Sports)
Displaced still concern US Aug 10, 2009
More than 280,000 civilians have been held in sprawling camps in the north of the Indian Ocean island since May, when government troops crushed the separatist Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam to end a 25-year war. Rajiva Wijesuriya, secretary of the Sri Lanka Ministry of Human Rights and Disaster Management, last week rejected criticism by human rights groups, saying the government had to address worries that former Tamil Tiger fighters could be hiding in the camps. (AlertNet)
Madagascan political factions sign transition accord Aug 9, 2009
MAPUTO, Aug. 9 (Xinhua) -- The main political factions of Madagascar signed a transition accord here on Sunday, pining hopes on a transition period to end the political crisis in the Indian Ocean island nation. According to the document, the 15-month transition period will see legislative and presidential elections which will be held under international supervision. (Xinhuanet, China)
Military action 'not advisable' Aug 9, 2009
He has been in South Africa seeking international support for a return to the Indian Ocean island. Bookmark with. (BBC News -- Africa)
8 hurt when plane catches fire at Paris airport Aug 7, 2009
A Yemenia Airways Paris-Comoros flight crashed June 30 off the coast of the Indian Ocean island nation, killing 152 people; the plane was an Airbus A310. An Airbus A330 crashed into the Atlantic en route from Rio de Janeiro to Paris on June 1, killing all 228 people onboard the Air France flight. (San Francisco Chronicle)
Malagasy leaders in crisis talks Aug 6, 2009
The Indian Ocean island has been in a state of crisis since Andry Rajoelina forced the elected president, Marc Ravalomanana, to flee in March. The BBC's Jonah Fisher in southern Africa says the summit is an acknowledgement by Mr Rajoelina that he needs help. (BBC News -- Africa)
Rio Madagascar `Not Notified' About Possibility of Ilmenite Award Review Aug 4, 2009
Rios QIT Madagascar Minerals, or QMM, is mining ilmenite, which is used to make paint, in the Indian Ocean island nation. We have not yet been officially notified by the government of any contract review, Daniel Andriamanjaka, head of communications at QMM, said in a mobile-phone interview today. (Bloomberg -- Australia & New Zealand)
126 Top Travel Specialists Jul 22, 2009
Madagascar Monique Rodriguez, Cortez Travel itions, Solana Beach, California Thanks to more than 100 trips to this Indian Ocean island, Rodriguez an honorary consul of Madagascar who visits three or four times annually knows the best places for spotting its one-of-a-kind wildlife (including the rare aye-aye lemur), experiencing Malagasy culture (via lunch in the homes of native Malagasy who are her friends), and luxuriating on pristine beaches. Her local connections enable Rodriguez to open... (Concierge.com)
Madagascar Police Say 3 Dead in Overnight Attacks Jul 20, 2009
Their struggle for power has meant months of violence and volatility on the impoverished Indian Ocean island off the southeastern coast of Africa. African and Western nations have called Rajoelina's takeover a coup. (Fox News)
Recounting Rescue of Child Crash Survivor Jul 5, 2009
In this picture made from a French broadcast, Bahia Bakari, 14, is brought back to France on a government plane after being found drifting off t 00004000 he remote Indian Ocean island nation of Comoros. She is the only survivor of the crash of a Yemenia Airbus 310 jet. (CBS News)
Most Viewed News Jul 5, 2009
An Indian Ocean island nation has created three new ocean sanctuaries, including a tropical bay where hundreds of 12-foot manta rays and 40-foot whale sharks feast on swarms of plankton and krill. July 1, 2009. (National Geographic)
Protesters Block Paris Airport Over Yemen Crash Jul 4, 2009
PARIS -- Protesters linked arms across an entrance at Paris' main airport on Friday to keep passengers off a Yemeni flight to Comoros that saw a deadly crash this week after years of complaints about dangerous conditions en route to the Indian Ocean island nation. Many in the Comoran community in France are angry that it took Tuesday's accident, which killed 152 people on Yemenia airlines' Paris-Moroni flight, to focus attention on the problems. (Newsmax)
After protests, airline suspends service to Comoros Jul 4, 2009
PARIS - Protesters linked arms across an entrance at Paris main airport yesterday to keep passengers off a Yemeni flight to Comoros on a route that saw a deadly crash this week after years of complaints about dangerous conditions en route to the Indian Ocean island nation. The airline that operated the crashed jet, Yemenia, suspended its service to Comoros in response to the Paris protest and other demonstrations this week, accusing the protesters of inadmissible violence. (Boston Globe)
AU summit starts on agriculture, food security Jul 4, 2009
The 13th summit was previously scheduled for July in the Indian Ocean island country of Madagascar. But due to its political stalemate, Madagascar was suspended the AU membership in March and later cancelled the hosting of the three-day summit. (Xinhuanet, China)
Protesters Block Airport Over Outrage at Yemen Crash Jul 4, 2009
PARIS Protesters linked arms across an entrance at Paris' main airport on Friday to keep passengers off a Yemeni flight to Comoros on a route that saw a deadly crash this week after years of complaints about dangerous conditions to the Indian Ocean island nation. Many in the Comoran community in France are angry that it took Tuesday's accident, which killed 152 people on Yemenia airlines' Paris-Moroni flight, to focus attention on the problems. (Fox News)
Africa united against comeback of coups Jul 3, 2009
The African Union (AU) condemned the unconstitutional change of government as a coup and suspended the Indian Ocean island state from the 53-member bloc. Madagascar is the third country to be deprived of AU membership following a coup, after Mauritania and Guinea. (Xinhuanet, China)
In pictures: Crash aftermath Jul 1, 2009
Meanwhile on the Indian Ocean island of Reunion, French military teams prepared to join the rescue effort. Bookmark with. (BBC News)
Mosquito repellent firm in dock for mosquito breeding Jul 1, 2009
The Indian Ocean island nation is battling an outbreak of the mosquito-borne viral infection that has killed more than 150 people this year and infected 13,479 people, according to Health Ministry figures. "The court fined the superintendent of a mosquito coil company for failing to destroy mosquito breeding places after we found larvae in several empty cans inside the premises," said Rohana De Silva, Attagalla public health inspector. (Yahoo News)
Swine flu hits Wimbledon Jun 30, 2009
Highlighting the virus's spread, Nepal, the Indian Ocean island of Mauritius, Kenya and Bosnia all reported their first cases on Monday. In Indonesia, the health minister said the government would ask all those arriving from Swine flu-affected countries to wear masks for at least three days. (iAfrica.com)
Tom Cruise's Runaway Mom 'Dead' to Friends Jun 30, 2009
Breaking News Official: Toddler Rescued Alive From Airbus Crash Off Indian Ocean Island. HOT TOPICS. (Yahoo News -- Celebrity Couples)
Madagascar: Ravalomanana Attends African Union Summit Jun 29, 2009
Mr Ravalomanana fled the Indian Ocean island country after his political rival Andry Rajoelina ousted him in a military coup. Mr Rajoelina has promised elections will take place next year, despite being constitutionally five years too young to run for president. (allAfrica.com)
Southern Africa: Regional Leaders Meet on Madagascar Jun 21, 2009
The special summit focusing on the Indian Ocean island was convened after the suspension of international mediation efforts, AFP reported. "We believe there is no other solution for Madagascar except for a political solution and we think that can only be found through this process and hence us hosting the extraordinary summit," South Afri-can Foreign Minister Maite Nkoana-Mashabane said on Thursday. (allAfrica.com)
'Madagascar must talk' Jun 21, 2009
The meeting of regional heads of state follows the suspension of international mediation efforts earlier this week to put an end to the political impasse, which began unfolding on the Indian ocean island three months ago. Opposition leader Andry Rajoelina seized power from Madagascan President Marc Ravalomanana, with the backing of the country's military, on March 17. (iAfrica.com)
Madagascar: SADC Summit to Find Solution Jun 20, 2009
The problems on the Indian Ocean Island started three months ago when former President Marc Ravalomanana fled the island country, days after his political rival Andry Rajoelina officially replaced him as President. Since then, more than 100 people have died in Madagascar as a result of the political struggle between the two men. (allAfrica.com)
Sri Lanka May Become `Hong Kong of India' After Civil War Ends, HSBC Says Jun 18, 2009
Decades of fighting on the Indian Ocean island shackled its $32 billion economy, which according to figures released yesterday expanded 1. 5 percent from a year earlier as the global recession intensified the slowdown. (Bloomberg -- Asia)
Madagascar sentences ex-leader Jun 4, 2009
He is currently in South Africa seeking international support for a return to the Indian Ocean island. He lost power in March amid protests by opposition leader Andry Rajoelina. (BBC News -- Africa)
Pfister resigns as coach of Cameroon May 29, 2009
Critics of the German include Roger Milla, plucked from semi-retirement on the Indian Ocean island of Reunion in 1990 at the age of 38 to score four goals as Cameroon reached the World Cup quarter-finals. Pfister was a controversial appointment in October 2007, getting the nod from the sports ministry after failing to impress FECAFOOT, and guided Cameroon to second place behind Egypt in the African Nations Cup the following year. (The Star Online, Malaysia -- Sports)
Less than 50% of Africans want democracy May 26, 2009
Perhaps the most telling figure came from Madagascar, the Indian Ocean island where an army-backed politician in March ousted a democratically elected president who failed to tackle endemic poverty. Only 14 percent of the island's people want democracy, according to the survey. (Ghana Web, Ghana)
• Defeated Tamil Tiger rebels confirm leader's death May 25, 2009
He governed by fiat over a de facto state in one-third of this Indian Ocean island. Even many Tamils who abhorred the Tigers' suicide bombings and assassinations embraced him as their hope for dignity and equal rights in Sri Lanka. (Burley South Idaho Press, ID)
'Deal' to end Madagascar crisis May 23, 2009
He adds that the international community has suggested that neither of the two leaders should take part in the polls, saying this could destabilise the Indian Ocean island further. Bookmark with. (BBC News -- Africa)
As Sri Lanka savors victory, challenges loom May 22, 2009
"Everyone's heartbeat is just like my song and the billboards," said Saheli Rochana Gamage, 21, whose rendition of the anthem has made her a celebrity in this small Indian Ocean island nation. "He should be our president forever. We are happy with a king who can protect our country. Elections don't matter.". (MSNBC -- International)
Referendum Approves Downscaling of Comorian Govt May 20, 2009
Johannesburg People in the Comoros have voted for a new constitution that will streamline the Indian Ocean island state's top-heavy government and extend the current president's tenure by a further 12 months. The vote ensures that President Ahmed Abdallah Sambi - who began his four-year term in 2006, but will step down in 2011 - will be the last leader to preside over the complex governance system that costs one of the world's poorest states about 80 percent of its GDP.. (allAfrica.com)
Sri Lanka defeats Tamil Tiger rebels May 19, 2009
The Tamil Tigers once controlled a wide swath of the north of this Indian Ocean island nation, running a de facto state complete with courts, police and a tax system ... At their height, the rebels controlled 5,400 square miles (14,000 square kilometers), nearly one-fifth of this Indian Ocean island nation. (Columbia Daily Herald, TN)
Sri Lanka declares victory over Tamil rebels May 19, 2009
Prabhakaran's death has been seen as crucial in bringing closure to the war in the Indian Ocean island nation but the approximately 1,500 Tamil expatriates who took to the streets of Geneva on Monday struck tones of defiance and denial. They believe the conflict is misrepresented in the media and that in general, they are under siege. (SwissInfo.org, Switzerland)
4 prominent rebel leaders killed, Sri Lanka army says May 18, 2009
Prabhakaran's capture, dead or alive, is crucial to bringing closure to this war-wracked Indian Ocean island nation. If he were to escape, he could use his large international smuggling network and the support of Tamil expatriates to spark a new round of guerrilla warfare here. (Honolulu Advertiser)
TIMELINE-Sri Lanka's 25-year civil war May 17, 2009
May 17 (Reuters) - Sri Lanka's military on Sunday said it had freed all the civilians held as human shields by the Tamil Tiger rebels, signalling acceleration in the final battle of the Indian Ocean island nation's quarter-century war. Following are some key events in the 25-year conflict between Tamil separatist rebels and the Sri Lankan government. (AlertNet)
SCENARIOS-The end of Sri Lanka's quarter-century war May 17, 2009
COLOMBO, May 16 (Reuters) - Sri Lankan troops seized the entire coastline of the Indian Ocean island for the first time since civil war with the Tamil Tiger separatists erupted in 1983, signalling a rapidly approaching conventional victory. (For the main story, click on [ID:SP465747]). (AlertNet)
Madagascan president leaves for Libya May 16, 2009
Libya is the first African country to recognize Rajoelina shortly after the 34-year-old former Antananarivo mayor was legalized by the High Constitutional Court as president of the Indian Ocean island country on March 18. But the message of congratulation sent by Ghaddafi angered other African countries which condemned the power transfer in Madagascar as unconstitutional and a coup. (Xinhuanet, China)
Pressure grows for Sri Lanka human rights inquiry May 16, 2009
The European Union and various aid agencies are also calling for international scrutiny of the conflict between the army and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) that has pushed the Indian Ocean island into a humanitarian crisis. "There is a growing concern that given the presence of so many civilians in the last tiny strip held by the LTTE, this small corner of Sri Lanka can turn into a killing field -- if it isn't one already," Colville said. (AlertNet)
Ousted Madagascar leader counts on region May 15, 2009
But that did not end a struggle for power that has meant months of violence and volatility on the Indian Ocean island off the southeastern coast of Africa. African and Western nations have called Rajoelina's takeover a coup. (San Francisco Chronicle -- Politics)
UK, US plea over Sri Lanka crisis May 13, 2009
Their appeal was the latest in a series of calls by the international community to try to end the fighting on the Indian Ocean island. Aid shipment abandoned. (BBC News -- South Asia)
UN condemns 'bloodbath' as death toll mounts in Sri Lankan war May 12, 2009
A doctor in the war zone said up to 1,000 civilians may have been killed in two days of shelling that marked some of the worst violence in this Indian Ocean island nation since the civil war flared up again more than three years ago. With the civilian death toll skyrocketing, the Tamil Tiger rebels and a coalition of international human rights groups separately called for the UN Security Council to urgently hold talks on the conflict. (Boston Globe)
Colombo sticks to its guns May 12, 2009
An opportunity to enhance its presence and position of influence on an Indian Ocean island - and one that is so close to India's southern shores - is not one that Beijing will pass on. And then there is Pakistan, Iran and Libya. (Asia Times Online)
Sri Lanka brushes off criticism, guns for Tigers May 12, 2009
9 billion International Monetary Fund (IMF) loan and an EU trade preference that helps the Indian Ocean island nation's crucial garment sector should be reviewed in light of the attacks. China, Japan, Vietnam and Russia on Monday stopped Kouchner and Miliband from getting Sri Lanka onto the Security Council agenda, diplomats said. (Yahoo News -- Top Stories)
Sex cult leader caught May 7, 2009
French police have recaptured a cult leader jailed for child abuse after he escaped last week from a prison on the French Indian Ocean island of Reunion in a helicopter. Dozens of police clad in bullet-proof vests raided a building on Wednesday in the Moufia neighbourhood of Saint-Denis, less than two kilometres from the prison where Juliano Verbard and two fellow prisioners escaped in a helicopter hijacked by accomplices on 27 April. (iAfrica.com)
Escaped cult leader re-captured May 7, 2009
A convicted sex offender and cult leader who escaped from prison by helicopter has been re-captured on the French Indian Ocean island of Reunion. Police said Juliano Verbard and seven others were caught in a building in the island's capital, Saint-Denis. (BBC News -- Europe)
Silicon Valley Execs Oppose Obama's Tax Plan May 7, 2009
Boxer said the provision died because a Government Accountability Office report found many companies had established subsidiaries in overseas tax havens, among them Silicon Valley's Cisco - which had 38 subsidiaries in such tax havens as the Indian Ocean island of Mauritius, Bermuda and Switzerland - Hewlett-Packard, which had 14; and Intel, which had six. Boxer said the report "poisoned the well" at a time when people were already angry at businesses. (San Francisco Chronicle -- Politics)
Madagascar: UN Chief Calls on Parties to Talk May 5, 2009
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today called again on the parties in Madagascar to resume talks in an effort to resolve the ongoing political crisis in the Indian Ocean island nation. "The Secretary-General remains concerned with the continuing crisis in Madagascar, which has led to politically motivated arrests, escalating violence and the loss of lives. He appeals on the authorities to observe human rights and respect the rule of law," Mr. Ban's spokesperson said in a statement. (allAfrica.com)
Madagascar troops take away ousted presidential aide May 1, 2009
With the military's help, Andry Rajoelina managed to topple President Marc Ravalomanana in March, but that did not end the struggle for power that has meant months of violence and volatility on the Indian Ocean island. Madagascar's neighbors and Western powers refuse to recognize Rajoelina's regime, and Ravalomanana has declared from exile in South Africa that he will return to govern. (Erie Times-News, PA)
Sri Lanka rejects calls for cease-fire May 1, 2009
The defiant statements left little hope of averting a violent finale to the civil war that has plagued this Indian Ocean island nation for more than a quarter-century. The British and French foreign ministers came to Sri Lanka on Wednesday to press for a truce and Japan's special mediator for the conflict, Yasushi Akashi, was to arrive yesterday to appeal to the government to safeguard the estimated 50,000 civilians trapped by the fighting. (Boston Globe)
PHOTOS: Inside Sri Lanka's displacement camps Apr 30, 2009
The Tigers' truce declaration came as the U.N.'s top humanitarian chief was in the Indian Ocean island to press for the protection of tens of thousands of people trapped in the apparent final conventional battle of a war that started in 1983 ... The Tigers' truce declaration came as the U. N.'s top humanitarian chief was in the Indian Ocean island to press for the protection of tens of thousands of people trapped in the apparent final conventional battle of a war that started in 1983. (AlertNet)
Cult Head Child Rapist Escapes Island Jail on Chopper Apr 29, 2009
A cult leader jailed for sex attacks on children has escaped in a helicopter from a prison on the French Indian Ocean island of Reunion. Juliano Verbard was serving a 15-year term for rapes and assaults on kids. (Fox News)
Helicopter escape for cult leader Apr 28, 2009
A convicted sex offender and cult leader has escaped by helicopter from a prison on the French Indian Ocean island of Reunion, officials say. Juliano Verbard, 27, serving a 15-year term, and two followers, were pulled on to the helicopter by three accomplices. (BBC News -- Europe)
Sri Lanka says it will halt strikes Apr 28, 2009
Government forces stand poised to crush the rebels and end this Indian Ocean island nation's quarter-century civil war. A recent government offensive forced the rebels out of their strongholds in the north and cornered them in a narrow coastal strip less than 4 miles long.. (MSNBC -- International)
Q+A-The last days of Sri Lanka's long war? Apr 28, 2009
Here are questions and answers about what happens next on the Indian Ocean island. WHAT HAPPENS NOW ON THE BATTLEFIELD. (AlertNet)
Government rejects cease-fire offer by Sri Lanka rebels Apr 28, 2009
The government rejected the appeal and accused the rebels of playing for time as the military stands poised to rout them and end the separatist war that has plagued the Indian Ocean island nation for a quarter century. "This is a joke," Defense Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa said of the rebels' truce offer. (Boston Globe)
* World News Quick Take Apr 28, 2009
FRANCE Cult leader in daring escape A cult leader jailed for sex attacks on children escaped in a helicopter from a prison on the French Indian Ocean island of Reunion yesterday, the regional administration said. Juliano Verbard, who was serving a 15-year term for rapes and sex assaults on children, and two of his jailed followers were hauled on board a hijacked tourist chopper by accomplices, local paper Le Quotidien reported. (Taipei Times, Taiwan -- Sports)
Belgian ship nabbed by Somali pirates Apr 20, 2009
The Pompei, a Belgian-registered ship believed to have a mostly Belgian and Croatian crew, was one of two vessels that came under attack near the Indian Ocean island nation of Seychelles on Saturday, the sources said. The second ship escaped the attack after a brief exchange of gunfire with pirate vessels, the pirate source added. (CNN -- World)
