<B>NPU loses head</B>

Cadress Runghen, in charge of the National Prevention Unit (NPU), an organisation under the supervision of the National agency for the treatment and rehabilitation of substance abusers (Natresa), was informed that he had to return to his substantive post at Beau-Bassin

prison. The senior hospital officer at the prison had been seconded for duty at the Natresa for three years. His contract had expired on 10th October but it was only on the 17th that he was informed that he had to leave immediately. Cadress Runghen is convinced that his eviction is the result of lobbying of the minister of Social Security, Sheila Bappoo.

<B>Fake Al Qaida</B>

It could almost be a joke. Three men posing as members of the terrorist organisation and supporters of Bin Laden, tried to extort Rs 800,000 from a lady. Jagdeo Chattoa, Mohamed Swaley Goorah and Poobarlen Veerapen were arrested by the police as they were collecting the money from the lady. Soon after Ruby Veerapen?s husband died, she started to receive anonymous letters asking for money to finance the organisation; all the following letters stated that her family would be in danger if she did not give the money. But Ruby Veerapen and Ben Veeraragoo, her partner, called upon the Anti-drug and Smuggling Unit, which managed to put a stop to the men?s plans. One of them is the victim?s brother-in-law, who had concocted the plan.

<B>Unions maintain the man must go</B>

The announcement that Bert Cunningham would remain in his post for six months has revived anger among customs officers. The union has warned that it will do everything possible to make the customs comptroller go. They consider that the government has not kept its promise. According to them, the government had promised that no foreigner would be employed for jobs at the head of public organisations. This is why the decision to renew Cunningham?s contract for six months is making them furious.

<B>Gloom over economic growth</B>

The MCB Focus is not very optimistic about the growth rate. It will not be above 3.2% for 2005 while the initial forecast was for 3.8%. The recession in the manufacturing sector and the disappointing sugar harvest are among the reasons for such a low economic performance. And the economists of the Mauritius Commercial Bank do not expect much in 2006 either. The GDP growth is expected to be about 4.9%. The unemployment rate will reach 9.5% for 2005 compared to 8.5% last year.