Local Mauritius

Alcoholism alarming among youths

According to a report published by World Health Organisation (WHO), entitled Global Status Report on Alcohol and Health 2011, the consumption of alcohol has scaled new heights among the youth. The report says that beer is the most consumed alcoholic drink, with a 73 per cent share, among the youth who are above 15. The [...]

28 Feb 2011, The Independent Daily

Drug policies discussed at national level

Collectif Urgence Toxida (CUT), in collaboration with the National AIDS Secretariat and PILS, organised a presentation and open discussion on Drugs Policies at National Level on Tuesday, February 22 at Link Ebene City Hotel, Ebène. The guest of honour was Baroness Glenys Thornton, member of UK Labour Party, member of the House of Lords, Parliamentary [...]

28 Feb 2011, The Independent Daily

Venkatasamy receives top French honour

Marday Venkatasamy’s contribution to the Mauritian economy has made him a man of great stature not only locally but also in international countries like France. Venkatasamy received his insignia of the Legion d’Honneur (Legion of Honour) on February 25 from the Republic of France and today holds several senior positions. Entitled to a French scholarship, [...]

28 Feb 2011, The Independent Daily

In preparation for night of Shiva, pilgrims converge on Ganga Talao

PM Ramgoolam attended religious ceremony, indian devotional singers performed During the past weekend, thousands of devotees have been making their way Grand Bassin, along with their families and friends. This is for the festival of Maha Shivratree, which means the great night of Lord Shiva. Several volunteers have been busy installing tents on the roadside [...]

28 Feb 2011, The Independent Daily

New Testament published in Creole

The New Testament, translated in Creole by the Bible Society, is now available. A spiritual celebration presided by the Bishop of Port Louis, Maurice Piat, was held on February 26 at the Catholic church of Roche Bois. The launch is in line with International Day of Mother Language. Marc Etive, president of the Bible Society, [...]

28 Feb 2011, The Independent Daily

Prison officers receive promotion

The Mauritius Prisons Service, which falls under the aegis of the local police force, has undergone several changes over the recent weeks to instill new vigour and encourage officers to work on a higher level. In that vein, key officers such as assistant superintendent of prisons Mohammad Raffick Islam Sahabun, were appointed as superintendent of [...]

28 Feb 2011, The Independent Daily

Lightning strikes church

Lightning struck Notre Dame du Rosaire church at Quatre Bornes during the heavy downpour on Saturday afternoon. Lightning struck the cross on the steeple of the church directly. Fortunately, no one was injured. Alerted by the deafening sound of thunder, people in the vicinity rushed to see what had happened. Witnesses said it was the [...]

28 Feb 2011, The Independent Daily

Man crushed to death by roller

Dominique Agathe, a 26-year-old resident of Palma, died on Saturday at Plaspak factory in the locality. He was trapped between a wall and a roller that weighed over a tonne. His father Carl, who also works in the same factory, was present at the scene when this horrific incident took place. He helplessly witnessed the [...]

28 Feb 2011, The Independent Daily

French officials to question Lejeune

Vincent Lejeune, suspected of having assisted Christophe Caterino in fleeing to Reunion Island in June 2008, will be interrogated by the French Office Centrale des Stupéfiants at the beginning of the week. Lejeune returned to Paris from Thailand on Saturday and the Brigade des Stups intends to make him hear the version of the former [...]

28 Feb 2011, The Independent Daily

PMSD condemns rise in violence

Lindsay Morvan, communication manager of Parti Mauricien Social Démocrate (PMSD), said that acts of violence were destroying the image of Mauritius. “It is not possible to be violent and at the same time expect the country to move forward,” said Morvan at a press conference on February 26. He underlined that all acts of violence [...]

28 Feb 2011, The Independent Daily

Bérenger presses for select committee on MedPoint deal

MMM to hold meetings in home constituencies of Jugnauth, Hanoomanjee MMM’s weekly press conference on February 26 once again centred on the procedures for the purchase of MedPoint Clinic by the state. “The government should take the example of the Indian government which has set up a Joint Parliamentary Committee to investigate the scam over [...]

28 Feb 2011, The Independent Daily

Minister plans to make Rs 1 billion from waste

The minister of Local Government and Outer islands, Hervé Aimée, has come up with a plan to save Rs 1 billion per year. He hopes to achieve this through an ambitious project of turning domestic compost waste that will be delivered to five transfer stations across the island. “If we are able to carry out [...]

28 Feb 2011, The Independent Daily

Mauritians want to leave Libya

Violence in Libya is sending foreigners rushing to flee country. Thousands are dashing to the borders. Mauritians in Libya are worried. The reason is the prevailing insurgency in the country, where citizens are demanding the ouster of Libyan leader Moamer Kadhafi. One Mauritian has already returned home since the unrest started. Five other Mauritians, a [...]

28 Feb 2011, The Independent Daily

PM extols force of faith, prayer

Minister announces construction of 108 metre-tall Durga statue at Ganga Talao. The official inauguration of the Maharshivratree festival was held on Sunday by the Mauritius Sanatan Dharma Temples Federation (MSDTF). On this occasion, the chief guest at Grand Bassin (Ganga Talao) was the Prime Minister Navin Ramgoolam. The Prime Minister first of all thanked Lord [...]

28 Feb 2011, The Independent Daily

Weather forecast for 28/02/2011 . Important for Pilgrims

The Vacoas meteorological station has announced a cloudy day with showers and thunderstorms across the country. However, a forecaster says that these showers and thunderstorms are not very consistent. This unsettled weather is due to a current `hot air, humid and unstable circulating in our region . Caution is recommended in the lagoons at the

28 Feb 2011, MauritiusHot

Gary Lam Po Tang freed on Rs 800,000 bail

Gary Lam Po Tang was released on bail on Friday after spending four months in Beau Bassin prison.

26 Feb 2011, The Independent Daily

Hike in prices of vegetables

There has been a hike in prices of vegetables owing to the heavy rains and the Maha Shivratree festival.

26 Feb 2011, The Independent Daily

Rogers supports fight against HIV/AIDS

Rogers is renewing its commitment to fighting against the AIDS, along with NGOs in Mauritius.

26 Feb 2011, The Independent Daily

Abu Dhabi TV crew in island

The Mauritius Tourism Promotion Authority (MTPA) organised a press trip for an Abu Dhabi TV crew. Diana Khatib, anchor, and Abdelouahed Aznag were on the island from February 18 to 26.

26 Feb 2011, The Independent Daily

Unions to stage protest in March

Confédération Travailleurs du Secteur Privé (CTSP) will stage a demonstration on March 5 at Place Margéot, Rose Hill, to denounce rising prices and corruption in the country.

26 Feb 2011, The Independent Daily