All six ministers of Mouvement Socialiste Militant (MSM) in Mauritius have resigned from government. The six, the leader, vice PM and Finance Minister, Pravind Jugnauth, Nandcoomar Bodha (Tourism), Showkutally Soodhun (Industry & Cooperatives), Leela Devi Dookun (Social Security), Santi Bai Maya Hanoomanjee (Health) and Ashit Gungah (Civil Service) resigned after the arrest of Health Minister Santi Bai Maya Hanoomanjee by the Independent Commission Against Corruption. - She was arrested under provisional charges of favouritism in awarding a tender for a hospital. "Hanoomanjee ensured that all measures were taken and directives given for MedPoint Ltd. to be favoured over other bid…

Mohammad Anwar Elahee, a legend in football history of Mauritius, passed away on Friday at the age of 81 after a short illness. - Elahee, who had 62 years activity in Mauritian football, is recognised to be an exemplary figure for his various achievements whether as a player, coach of First Division teams and National coach for 18 years or adviser. Up to now he is the only coach who qualifies the Indian Ocean Island to the African Nations Cup finals phase in 1974 in Egypt after overcoming Lesotho and Tanzania in the preliminary rounds. In 1985, he coached the national team to gold at the Indian Ocean Islands Games along with German coach Helmut Kosmehl. As a player he was an exempla…

- By Yasine Mohabuth Mauritius set-up the first phase of the Lower Indian Ocean Network (LION,) an underwater fibre optics cable valued to € 37 million Euros financed by Orange Madagascar, Mauritius Telecom and France Telecom and will link three islands of the Indian Ocean - Madagascar, Mauritius and Reunion - to the rest of the world. The LION project provides Mauritius with a second gateway and aims at eliminating the ‘single point of failure’ of having only one landing station, thereby enhancing the security, resiliency and reliability of international connectivity for Mauritius and provides additional capacity to connect to the world. It is some 1,070kms in length and…

Mauritius is to host the leading Imam of the Grand mosque in the Islamic holy city of Mecca. Abdul Rahman Ibn Abdul Aziz as-Sudais an-Najdi is scheduled to visit in January 2009. - Saudi Arabia newly appointed Ambassador to Mauritius, Mohammed Al-Ali, announced on Monday at a press briefing. He is also accredited to South Africa. He has presented his letter of credence to the President of the Republic Sir Anerood Jugnauth and has also met various ministers like the Deputy Prime Minister Dr Ahmed Rashid Beebeejaun. He has visited the Islamic Cultural Centre. Mohammed Al-Ali, worked on the modalities of Sheik Sudais visit with Information and Communication Technology Minister Mohammed Asraf…

- Prime Minister Dr Navinchandra Ramgoolam announced the setting up of a Fact Finding Committee to look into the tragic incidents after severe torrential rains hit the Indian Ocean Island where two persons died and two are missing. The Committee will be chaired by a judge and Dr Navinchandra Ramgoolam also told that an expert from the World Meteorological Service will help the local office. The victims, Laura Paul, a student of 13 year-old and Jaymantee Rughoo, 59, were carried away by heavy flooding consequence of the torrential rain in Mon-Goût near Pamplemousses (North of the Island). Rudy Cathapermal 25 years and Fabrice Aza 19 years, both inhabitants of the East region are miss…

- According to prime minister Navin Ramgoolam,  Dulloo’s removal from office is due to the fact that he has not shown solidarity with the government action.“A Senior Minister cannot have a foot inside and a foot outside”, Ramgoolam told the press this afternoon.“I will never accept being blackmailed and this has never worked with me”.“In a government we need solidarity and loyalty and he has chosen a bad time especially when the country is progressing”.After a meeting of his national comity of his party, Dulloo voiced out his frustration to the press yesterday.“Members of the party are not satisfied with the performance of the Social Allia…

- South African President Thabo Mbeki has asked Mauritius collaboration in the field of hospitality to ensure the 2010 World Cup finals success. President Mbeki, who was on official visit to the Indian Ocean Island in the context of the nation 40th anniversary of independence, make this plea to Prime Minister Dr Navinchandra Ramgoolam before he left for South Africa. “The preparations for the World Cup are on course but we welcome any help in the filed of media, communication and Transport”, Mbeki told. “We want the cooperation of Mauritius especially in the field of hospitality as you have acquired a lot with your successful experience in the tourism sector and we…

- The tournament will be in the context of Mauritius 40 independence celebrations on the 12 March and is jointly organised by the Mauritius FA and the Ministry of Youth and Sports.  According to Mauritius Sports Minister Sylvio Tang, M.P. the choice of these two teams has not been done haphazardly. “Madagascar and Russia were the two first countries to recognise Mauritius as a sovereign nation but unfortunately the Russian team could not come”, Tang told the media.  “Our privilege ties with India are known to everyone and it is an immense pleasure to have Mohun Bagan, the oldest team in Asia which is based in the city of Kolkata, West Bengal, and they have al…

- The Prime Minister, Dr Navin Ramgoolam who received the highest distinction of Grand Commander of the Star and Key of the Indian Ocean (G.C.S.K.) from the President of the Republic, for his remarkable contribution to the country both at the local and international levels expressed the wish for electoral reform and want to go quickly about it.“I intend to call upon all political parties, small or big, to sit together to find a formula this year”, he said, adding: “Our electoral code serves us well but it is high time to call us Mauritian but at the same time no single segment of the population should feel it is being marginalised”.He further said: “I want also…