Today at Noon is the deadline for Rise St.Lucia INC to respond to the Illinois Institute of Technology as to whether government is guaranteeing the loan for the students it has awarded partially scholarships.

But there has been no indication from government so far as to what the Cabinet has decided. Cabinet met yesterday, however Youth, Sports and Human Resource Minister, Lenard Montoute was unable to say for certain whether the matter would be deliberated. Minister Montoute speaking on the issue for the first time said he was disappointed in Dr.Stephen King for taking a strong arm approach in dealing with government on the matter. The Minister felt that Dr.King allowed the issue to be played out in the media, where the public perception is that the administration does not want to help the youth. Mr.Montoute said all that government is saying is that it wants to be careful and not commit to something that may not turn out to be the gold that glittered. Added to that the cost factor he said is one that can not be ignored. Dr.King has however clarified that government is being asked to guarantee the loan for 50 of the students. But the Minister says it is not as simple as that because government must find 25% of the total cost to give to the bank and pay up to seven hundred thousand dollars annually for three years. That money, the minister says was not budgeted for therefore government needs a little time to figure out where it will source the money. He says the impression in the public that government does not care about youth development is absurd because currently there are 657 students studying overseas as a result of guarantees by government. An additional 35 students Mr.Montoute says will be leaving St.Lucia next month. This he says, is a demonstration of his government’s commitment to youth. All government is asking for, he says, is time to make sure all is in place.

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Residents of Tapion are in danger of losing their property and even lives, once again. The frightening and devastating earth movement that occurred several years ago has resurfaced. Residents say cracks have appeared on the road and the rains over the last few weeks have made the problem worse. But what the residents are most upset about is the constant traversing of heavy duty vehicles on the road. They say the vehicles compounded the situation. According to the residents at least three houses are jeopardy and a disabled man had to be evacuated from his home. They are appealing to officials at the Ministry of Communications and Works and Planning to come to their rescue and reinforce the stabilization mechanism that was put in place before.

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Freelance journalist, Robertson Henry has been charged with grievous harm following his alleged attack on fellow media colleague, Anthony Debeauville. The attack happened on Sunday at the George Odlum Stadium where the two sports journalists were covering the Windward Island Games. According to Debeauville a difference on opinion in a discussion they were having along with officials of the Ministry of Sports lead to the attack. Robertson Henry on Tuesday turned himself in to Vieux Fort Police and was charged yesterday.  He also had his first Court appearance yesterday. If convicted of the charge, Henry faces a maximum sentence of ten years in prison. Debeauville who works with the Voice Newspaper was diagnosed with a fractured eardrum among other injuries. He remains deaf in one ear as a result. Debeauville is determined to pursue not only criminal charges against Robertson Henry but also sue him in the Civil Court.