COVER STORY

Pesticides: The silent killer ever-present in our food

Data from 2014 suggests that, among African countries, Mauritius was ranked ninth in terms of pesticide usage – with 27.19kg per hectare. This is a high level of pesticide usage, given the smaller agricultural area the island has compared to bigger African countries. How far have we come since the Use of Pesticides Act was introduced in 2018?  Weekly investigates.

ISSUES

The Mauritius Turf Club: The Lee Shim Empire expands

On 28 February, the Mauritius Turf Club (MTC) will decide who to induct into the ranks of its founder members, who have a say in the running of the horse racing body. One name stands out, Jean-Michel Lee Shim, a gambling kingpin and key financier of the ruling Mouvement Socialiste Militant party. So why is giving Lee Shim a say in the running of the MTC causing such worry within the horse racing industry? And how is this going to be problematic for the industry as a whole?

HEALTH

Caffeine intake: How it can prevent weight gain

Coffee and tea are easily some of the most consumed and popular beverages in the world. Available in different flavours and forms, both drinks are well-appreciated by millions for many reasons, and one of them is their ability to provide an energy boost thanks to their caffeine content. But, according to a recent study, caffeine may have even stronger abilities than we thought.

LIFESTYLE

Spyce: A look inside the restaurant where robots make the food

Spyce is a restaurant located in Boston, Massachusetts (US), where robots make the food. The innovative restaurant is the result of a partnership between four graduate students of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and French Michelin-starred Chef Daniel Boulud.

PETS CORNER

Stray Dogs: Study reveals that stray dogs understand complex human gestures despite no training

Dogs have always been the subject of human curiosity for hundreds of years. This has led to a lot of research to understand why dogs among other animals co-habit peacefully with humans. One such theme deals with a dog’s understanding of human gestures. In a first of its kind, researchers have found that untrained stray dogs have the ability to follow human gestures and suggest that they may possess a natural instinct to understand human behaviour.

THIS IS MAURITIUS

Maha Shivaratri: The most creative kanwars on the road this year

Maha Shivratri, which literally translates as ‘great night of Shiva’, is a Hindu festival celebrated largely by the Hindu community around the word. The festival, which falls on Friday, is also a public holiday in Mauritius. During the week leading up to the festival, thousands of pilgrims walk to the sacred lake of Ganga Talao in Grand Bassin, carrying intricately ornate kanwars, the central aspect of Maha Shivaratri. See Weekly’s selection of the most creative kanwars spotted on the road this week.