Media upheaval

The media have been in the limelight lately. MBC is the scene of allegations of sexual harassment. Journalist Valérie Kallee has made a statement to the police against radio boss, Jacques Maunick. The latter was arrested and released on bail. While he denies all accusations, the journalist says she has evidence. Besides, Miss Meteo, Martine Fong, has complained of anonymous phone calls and letters coming from a MBC film director. She plans to reveal the name of the suspect. Radio One has been shaken by board member and presenter Jean-Marie Richard?s complaint to the IBA. He resigned after a sketch on slavery which he found offensive to the slaves? memory. The written press has not been spared. Week-End Scope reporter Jacques Achille (picture) is said to have been victim of police brutality. The PM has advised him to leave it to the National Commission for Human Rights? decision, as it is an independent institution.

Changing prices

Bread, flour and cement prices have gone up. This is said to be inevitable but consumers are complaining. The rise in the price of bread, due to an increase in the price of flour, might lead to prices of other products going up. As regards cement, producers are afraid their sales will go down and are asking for price liberalization. Consumers can however rejoice on domestic gas prices that have gone down.

Power transfer

Philippe Espitalier-Noël will take over from Tim Taylor as Rogers group Chief Executive Officer (CEO) in 2007. Present Aviation and Tourism cluster Executive Director, Philippe Espitalier-Noël, will be CEO Designate until Tim Taylor retires at the end of 2006. This appointment ?falls within the framework of the group?s new program of strategic management? and will ensure a smooth transfer of power.

QEC and CSE superiority

HSC results came out yesterday. College Saint-Esprit (CSE) and Queen Elizabeth College (QEC) have taken the lion?s share. As far as girls are concerned, QEC has 13 out of 15 laureates, the two others are from MGI and Rodrigues College. On the boys? side, CSE is far ahead with 10 laureates before RCC (4). RCPL and Rodrigues College have one each. Education Minister, Steven Obeegadoo, said these good results should be an example for all other students.

Sad Cavadee

Kambhen Govinden, a 14-year-old boy, was electrocuted while taking his shower. The CEB is investigating to know if the installation was defective. Sarah Premiere, 3 years old, drowned in the irrigation canal of Petite-Rivière. The latter has already made numerous victims.