<B>New price-list for International calls</B>

Frequent callers on the international network must be feeling happy. All prices will decrease to less than Rs 10 a minute for some destinations such as France, Italy, South Africa or even the United Kingdom. The Information & Communication Technologies Authority (ICTA) has agreed this following a request from many users. On Saturday, Emtel, Mauritius Telecom and Data Communications Ltd set up their new price-lists. Contrary to the old method, the calls will now be invoiced to the second after the first 30 seconds.

<B>Tengur tries to avoid trial</B>

Suttyhudeo Tengur has prepared a counter attack to prevent legal action against him by the Catholic Chuch. In this document he stipulates that the Church cannot take such action, as it is an institution that is offering a public service to society. The story goes back to August 2003 when Tengur declared that the Church should not ask for funds from the government anymore. He stated that the situation had not been properly dealt with by the PSSA, which accepted their request for Rs 11, 5 million for the renovation of 13 colleges. He firmly believes the ex minister of education, Steven Obeegadoo, played a key role in this. He thinks the ex-minister took full advantage of his power, with serious consequences for public funds. The church is now claiming Rs 500 000 from him as it considers itself a victim of slander.

<B>New judicial measures </B>

Drivers who will test positive to alcohol will now have their driving licenses confiscated. They will get them back only when the court gives its authorization. This is the proposal made by the Attorney General, Rama Valayden; he is inviting reactions on the issue. There are around 55 000 cases of drink driving still to be dealt with. To avoid a backlog, the next offenders will be given from 21 to 40 days to pay their fines.

<B>Increase in the number of tourist arrivals </B>

761 000 tourists visited Mauritius in 2005, compared to 718 800 in 2004.This represents a rise of 6%. 502 700 of these visitors were European and most of them were from France and from the United Kingdom. According to the minister of Tourism, Xavier Duval, the Spanish and the Russians will follow the same path. He is full of hope and expects a rise of 10 % for this year.