Now that the macho my-crowd-was bigger-than-yours posturing has begun to die down, the country's leaders can get back down to the nitty-gritty of governing the country. Or maybe not. For wont of an "early harvest" to sink our teeth into, we might as well turn to the US presidential elections for a glimpse at something worth getting excited about.

Expert witnesses called upon to testify in courts have just seen their fees reduced from a sum varying between Rs 150 and Rs 1500, depending on the magistrate's discretion, to Rs 50. A decision of the State Law Office (SLO) that infuriates habitual witnesses who see this as a measure that will do a disservice to justice.

May Day this year brought about a new phenomenon on the already colourful political scene of this country: that of Resurrection. First, there is Père Grégoire who has resurfaced but, unlike Jesus Christ, he is not back to save the whole of Mankind but only part of it. In a nation where everybody needs everybody, any emotional talk, clamouring for division and disunity, is dangerous ...

Whilst confronting journalists recently, the Prime minister said that China and India have stopped exporting flour and rice to other countries, including Mauritius. As we know, rice is the staple food of the vast majority of our population. There has been unprecedented demand for rice during the past few years.

A young man was shot and killed when thousands of Somalis protested in Mogadishu on Monday over food traders' refusal to take old currency notes amid spiralling inflation, witnesses said.

Congratulations on the success of your Green Day! What is your own appraisal?

I have not had the pleasure of reading Mr Peter Craig's letter to you of the 26th August 2007 concerning a cheque drawn on an American bank which apparently took 2 months to be credited to his account.

The necessity of transforming Mauritius into a sustainable island seems to be taking root in each and everyone's mind. The bulk of the population now realizes that the country has to turn to renewable energies if it is to ensure its energy security in the future. It is also dawning on many that the viability of "renewables" hinges on curtailing our energetic profligacy. So far, so good. ...

Since education became free thirty years ago, the disparity in State financial grants has been a bone of contention; the federation of managers has obtained from the ministry that a committee be set up to take up this burning issue. Private secondary schools like Saint-Andrews College have proved that they can compete with State schools. Why should they be worse off financially?

"There are several teachers who have made an impact on me. In fact, there are three of them and I came across all three during my studies at Royal College of Port-Louis. The first one was Mr. Allken.

Schools have always fascinated me because I am fundamentally a sharer of knowledge; an active experimenter with pedagogical concepts only to access the mind of the learner-being particular interest has been the difficult learner. I talk of my experiences, experiments as a school leader for I have been rector of three State Secondary Schools. I start with my teaching experience because only the ...

Prime minister Ramgoolam's promises to initiate talks on electoral reform "after the 1st of May". There seems to be indications, however that the reform might not include the Best Loser System.

The abolition of the CPE examination cannot be an administrative, bureaucratic and political decision decreed from the top. Here is a bottom-up approach where ground reality determines everything. The CPE will no longer be the nightmare of so many children who, like these from Vallijee Govt school, feel so relieved on the last examination day.

No, I kid you not. By opting for www.ecofree.net instead of the ubiquitous Google (the former is powered by the latter anyway) you can reduce your energy use without even having to get off your bottom.

The ministry of Education is coming with a revised plan for the pre-school sector. It includes a new regulating body, which will make sure that each child is given the opportunity to bridge the gap between home and school.

I think I'm also going to create a "federation". Let's see, I'm going to call it the Federation of the Not As Stupid As You Think (FNASAYT). Not bad, huh? I'm feeling very creative today so I think I'll design the logo of the FNASAYT while I'm at it.

Some private secondary schools were planning a strike this week. Is it still on?

There has been a spate of heinous crimes recently. Shakuntala Hawoldar, as an enlightened observer, gives her views on what is wrong with society while offering food for thought on possible remedies.

The leader of a group of East Timor rebels accused of trying to assassinate President Jose Ramos-Horta in February is preparing to surrender and may give himself up early this week, a U.N. spokeswoman said yesterday.

Afghan President Hamid Karzai escaped unhurt yesterday after an assassination attempt by Taliban fighters who fired guns and rockets at an official celebration in the capital, Kabul. Afghan military personnel, some in ceremonial uniforms, run from an attack on President Hamid Karzai near the presidential palace in Kabul.

The former president of the Republic launched a booklet yesterday that recaps eight years of debates on potential changes. The comprehensive booklet is free and available on line at http://electoralreformmauritius.blogspot.com. Cassam Uteem with former Justice Robert Ahnee, who was a member of the Sachs Commission on electoral reform.

In January 2006 in an article entitled The hopeful continent, The Economist referred to a Gallup International Poll that indicated that Africans are the world's staunchest optimists. Indeed post colonial African politics has undergone positive developments, which saw in certain parts of Africa a significant shift from single to multi party systems, the presence of opposition parties, the demise of ...

Rice prices in Thailand, the world's top exporter, surged to $1,000 a tonne yesterday as concerns about food security first triggered by a handful of Asian export bans spread as far as the United States. This week's 5 % jump takes prices to nearly three times their level at the start of the year, intensifying fears of social unrest in Asia as millions of the region's poor find themselves ...

The recall of the "An Yue Jiang", carrying 77 tonnes of assault rifle ammunition, mortars and grenades came after unprecedented regional opposition in addition to Wertern pressure over Zimbabwe's election crisis. China said yesterday a shipment of weapons bound for Zimbabwe would be recalled after South African port workers refused to unload it and amid a call from Britain to prevent ...

The food crisis is spreading like wildfire. Every day brings fresh reports of food riots in the world's poor countries. Yesterday, Brazil joined the growing club of countries, which have halted rice exports to ensure their domestic supply. The five-time World Cup winner's draconian decision will deprive neighbouring countries of half a million tons of the precious staple.