Uranda Avril was shocked when she was told that her young daughter had been abused. The young mother could not believe an allegation that the three-year-old’s father is responsible for the abuse. The man’s sister informed Avril about what the little girl has revealed.

Avril says she was so overwhelmed with rage that she chased the man down with a cutlass. She then followed some crime-reporting processes. She says the police and the Human Services Department have been helpful so far.

The man’s sister who did not want to speak on camera says this is not the first time the accused has abused minors. She says her motive is to prevent the abuse of another little infant.

The three-year-old infant will begin counseling shortly. Now, the young mother is waiting for the results of medical tests and the justice system to run its course. According to authorities, there are dozens of sexual abuse cases that go unreported every year.

The company says the obstructions and delays apply to the period between 2002 and 2006. It covers a number of damages including loss of revenue, profits and market share as well as exemplary damages and interest. The suit was brought by Digicel Group Chairman Denis O’Brien.

Cable and Wireless has confirmed receipt of the Digicel claim. The company has fired back though, suggesting that its competitor’s claim is baseless. The telecoms giant says it believes the claim is a deliberate spoiling tactic by Digicel.

The International business unit operates integrated telecommunications companies in 33 countries offering mobile, broadband, domestic and international fixed line services to residential and business customers.

The price of milk, flour and some other consumer goods has increased recently. Hubert James is the President of the National Consumer Association. On Thursday James met with of Consumer Affairs Minister Guy Mayers and other consumer representatives. He says that situation was of the main matters on the agenda for Thursday’s meeting.
James suggests the increase is due to the rising cost of freight services brought on by rising oil prices on the world market. That increase distributors have passed on to consumers. James says many things can be done to redress the present situation.

But should consumers be subject to the increase on products like flour which are under price control? That question James was unable to answer. However he hinted there might be competition coming into the groceries industry. The hike in the price of consumer goods is an issue about which some St. Lucians have expressed concern, sighting a lack of a commensurate increase in basic wages. The price increase is being addressed, but there is no indication yet, as to the action that will be taken.

This is the first in a three year plan to develop the product called Saint Lucia Carnival. That development will be financed by the Ministry of Tourism through the Saint Lucia Tourist Board. The Board will invest 1 million dollars in the product for each of the three years. With the first year gone – the next move is assessment and forward projections.
Access to material appears to be uppermost in the minds of Carnival band leaders. These leaders usually have to import material from other countries like Trinidad. They say current legislation prevents them from importing what they need.

Dylan Pitcairn designs for the award winning Mass Action carnival band. He says his 2007 portrayal was severely strained by his limited access to material. These are the kinds of opinions into which the CDF wants to tap.

Francis says collaborations made a success of Carnival 2007. He wants the full involvement of all sectors to build on what already exists. A number of associations make Carnival possible – among them the Carnival Bands Association and the Steelbands Association. These groups worked with the CDF and new partners the Tourist Board to plan and execute the festival.

A new archbishop is due to take over the reigns of the Roman Catholic Church in St. Lucia later this year. Bishop Robert Rivas will succeed archbishop Kelvin Felix when the archbishop retires in October. Bishop Rivas will be introduced to the press corps during a briefing on Friday.

Archbishop Felix wrote to Pope Benedict XVI asking for a co-adjustor to ensure the smooth transfer at the archdiocese of Castries. Archbishop Felix has led the Roman Catholic Church for twenty-six years. Under Roman Catholic Church rules, the archbishop must retire by the age of 75 except in a special case where the Vatican approves an extension.

The Trinidad-born bishop Rivas is now based in St. Vincent & Grenadines. There had been debate recently, about Archbishop Felix continuing to head the Roman Catholic Church as he approaches retirement age. Kelvin Felix was appointed archbishop of Castries on the July 17, 1981. The new archbishop will lead the church in the entire OECS  Region. He will take over the archdiocese of Castries during a mass at the minor basilica of the Immaculate Conception on October 14, 2007.

On Friday Jehovah’s Witnesses in St. Lucia will launch a campaign dubbed “Follow the Christ”. The convention will allow all the opportunity to learn how vital Jesus Christ is to the life of Witnesses. The convention is an educational event centering on the subject of how to follow Christ. It will be held from Friday to Sunday at the Assembly Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses in Bexon. Honsinger says witnesses believe that a person’s life will improve dramatically by following the lifestyle of Jesus Christ. The convention will afford opportunities to hear how others in the community have been affected by Christ’s example and teaching.

Dr Robert Lewis is working to ensure the greater development in his Castries South constituency. Dr Lewis says for any development to take place constituents must work together. The MP says leadership is lacking in the constituency for various reasons. Dr. Lewis says his main focus is the young people – tomorrow’s leaders. Lewis has identified some projects that he hopes to implement. One of those is a human resource center. Lewis says when this happens people are able to earn a living. According to Lewis most people want to work. He says work gives people self-worth, that aspect he says is lacking in Castries South.

The seamen union is unhappy with the settlement from the tribunal following the recent LUCELEC impasse. The union called LUCELEC grade one workers out on strike when it could not reach an agreement with the company on a suitable wage increase.

The tribunal awarded workers a hike of three-and-a-half percent for each of the two years. Now, the union is claiming that the chairman of the tribunal imposed a predictable award. In a release, the union claims that LUCELEC’s representative on the tribunal proposed increases of three percent and three-and-a-half percent over the two years.

The Calypso finals are billed as the marquee show for Carnival. Historically, the show has drawn the biggest crowds and netted the most gate receipts. It did not disappoint in 2007 with 10 calypsonians among them six former monarchs. The calypso crown was captured by a first time finalist from the South Calypso Tent.

The soca competition saw the rise of former and new monarchs. Kakal is the 2007 Power Soca Monarch – a title he also won in 2003. Ninja Dan is the Caribbean Soca Monarch. Ricky T retained his title of Road March King.

GTM insurance is holding a poster competition for young people aged 15 to 25. The competition begins on July 28th and will end on august 31st. The posters will be used for the company’s 2008 calendar.
The theme is “life.”

First place in the competition will win 15 hundred dollars, the second place gets 1 thousand dollars, and the third place will receive 5 hundred dollars. The competition will be open to participants in Saint Lucia and Grenada.