● <B>Ongoing discussions on PRB.</B> The Pay Research Bureau (PRB) is holding consultations with trade unionists concerning the proposals to be included in its report to be submitted in May. The director of the institution, Beejaye Appanna, has confirmed that retirement age would be extended to 65. This new measure will apply only for those who will be 60 after June 2018. For others, the official retirement age will be calculated on a pro-rata basis as from July 2008. This extension will however be on an optional basis. The president of the State Employees Federation (SEF), Radakrishna Sadien, is satisfied with this measure, as ?the nature of work is not the same for all civil servants?. Moreover, trade unionists and the PRB have agreed on the principle of ?contributive pension? but the formula has yet to be defined.

● <B> Between jealousy and sorcery.</B> The main suspect in the murder of Jairaj Jeea, Shyam Sooknauth, has confessed that he killed his ?friend? because there were rumours about his wife, Preemawtee, having an affair with the victim. The couple were arrested after the victim?s body was found buried under a concrete slab. Shyam Sooknauth said he stabbed him, pierced his tongue with a 10 cm needle before burying him. For the main suspect, who was involved in witchcraft, this tongue piercing was important to prevent his soul from telling his relatives who had murdered him. The police now suspect that a ?chief sorcerer? took part in the assault. Shyam Sooknauth however refused to reveal his ?chief?s? identity. Examination of the couple by the police chief medical officer, Satish Boolell, revealed that they were both psychologically healthy.