
Quality Beverages Ltd QBL and EcoMoris Sustainable Solutions Ltd have formed a partnership to enhance plastic waste management and develop a local recycling value chain in Mauritius. This collaboration aligns with QBL's commitment to the circular economy and responsible waste management practices. A key objective is to create a closed-loop system for flexible plastics, specifically the shrink films used in beverage packaging. Inigo de Prado, Managing Director of Quality Beverages Ltd, stated that this partnership allows QBL to collect, track, and recycle used flexible plastics through EcoMoris, which are then reused to package their products. QBL plans to supply its plastic waste to EcoMoris for recycling and gradually integrate locally recycled materials into its secondary packaging operations. The goal is to reduce the company's reliance on imported plastic by up to 37% through this closed-loop system. Priya Rana, Chief Transformation Officer and Head of Sustainability at Quality Beverages Ltd, emphasized that this partnership supports QBL's sustainable development strategy and its ambition to contribute to a circular economy in Mauritius, where resources are valued and integrated into production cycles. Mauritius generates approximately 120,000 tons of plastic waste annually, much of which is currently landfilled. EcoMoris Sustainable Solutions Ltd, founded by Jay Lai Fat Fur and Sohaeb Pasha, was established to address this issue, developing industrial infrastructure for
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Artificial intelligence AI and the digital revolution are fundamentally transforming daily life and businesses, rapidly replacing human tasks and impacting employment. While digitalization is crucial for national development, including for Mauritius, a society's progress extends beyond economic performance to include human, social, and moral dimensions. French Ambassador Frédéric Bontems highlighted the need to define "value" beyond mere measurability and monetisation, questioning how solidarity, friendship, generosity, and altruism, which are vital for social cohesion, fit into this framework. As Mauritius approaches its 2026-27 budget, the challenge lies in balancing economic growth with social justice in a rapidly changing economy. Pope Leo XIV's encyclical, Magnifica Humanitas, addresses the dangers of AI, warning against a society that prioritizes data over human dignity and risks creating a "new Tower of Babel" where technological power overshadows individuals. The article emphasizes that technology should serve humanity, not the reverse, as machines cannot replicate consciousness, empathy, or human relationships. For Mauritius, the transformation of sectors like administration, services, finance, and customer relations by automation presents significant social questions. These include how to support affected workers, prepare youth for future jobs without over-reliance on digital tools, and ensure productivity gains benefit more than a minority. True progress, the artic
Must ReadThe Mauritian Council of Ministers has noted the Ministry of Information Technology, Communication and Innovation's plan to consult stakeholders on implementing a mechanism for verifying the identity of social media users. This initiative aims to address recurring online problems such as the spread of false information, identity theft, defamatory or hateful content, online scams, and the dissemination of illegal content like child pornography. Currently, most social media accounts can be created with just an email address or phone number, without systematic civil identity verification. The proposed mechanism could require users to prove their real identity using official documents, national ID card verification, certified phone numbers, or other digital authentication methods, theoretically making it easier to identify perpetrators of illegal or fraudulent posts. Supporters believe this reform would reduce fake profiles, disinformation campaigns, online scams, and cyberbullying, providing authorities with quicker means to trace those responsible for illegal content. However, the proposal raises concerns about privacy, personal data protection, and freedom of expression. Digital rights organizations argue that online anonymity can protect whistleblowers, victims, journalists, or citizens who wish to report situations without fear of reprisal. The government emphasizes that this is currently a consultation phase to gather stakeholder opinions before any potential reforms. Mauri
Must ReadA powerful magnitude 7.8 earthquake struck the southern Philippines on Monday morning, resulting in at least three deaths and the collapse of numerous buildings. The quake, which occurred on the first day of school, prompted a tsunami alert across the Pacific. Videos authenticated by AFP show children in Davao province screaming as their school collapsed, and a multi-story fast-food building in General Santos province also caved in. The US Geological Survey reported the earthquake at 07:37 AM local time, with its depth re-evaluated to 55 km. Over a dozen aftershocks followed. Authorities in the Philippines, Indonesia, and Malaysia urged coastal residents to evacuate to higher ground, as the epicenter was located approximately 24 km off Sarangani province on Mindanao island. Police confirmed at least three fatalities and significant material damage. Roland Catoburan, Sarangani police spokesperson, stated that two people died in Alabel after a wall collapsed on them. Robert Dagon, a police official in General Santos, earlier reported one death and four injuries, noting that several buildings and homes had collapsed. The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center in Hawaii issued a warning for potential tsunami waves along the coasts of the Philippines, Indonesia, Taiwan, and Japan. Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. suspended classes in affected areas of Mindanao and called for immediate evacuation from coastal zones, emphasizing that lives are paramount. In Kiamba, a coastal town n