A 13-year-old boy, Carlton St. Omer, is fighting for his life at the Owen King European Union (OKEU) Hospital in Saint Lucia after being diagnosed with Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS), a rare neurological disorder that causes paralysis and can impair breathing. His father, Calton St. Omer, described the past few days as a nightmare for the family, as Carlton’s condition rapidly deteriorated following his participation in a school marathon on October 29. Initially, Carlton exhibited a limp and leg pain, but by October 31, he was unable to move and was rushed to the hospital. Despite extensive tests, including CT scans and blood work, doctors were unable to pinpoint the cause of his symptoms. By November 1, Carlton lost the ability to swallow, move his limbs, and breathe independently, requiring a ventilator. Doctors have recommended that he be airlifted to Martinique for specialized care, with the transfer scheduled for November 6. Carlton’s sister, Abbie John, has launched a GoFundMe campaign titled ‘Save Abbie’s Little Brother – Urgent Help Needed’ to raise funds for the air ambulance and medical expenses. The family is holding onto hope, urging the public for prayers and donations. Carlton’s father also recalled a previous medical episode in April, suspecting a possible connection to his current condition. The family remains focused on securing the urgent care Carlton needs to survive and recover.
标签： Saint Lucia
圣卢西亚
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Saint Lucia unaffected by largest BYD battery recall
Chinese electric vehicle (EV) giant BYD has initiated its most extensive recall to date, impacting over 115,000 vehicles in China. The recall stems from battery-related risks and design defects, raising concerns about vehicle safety. However, JQ Motors, BYD’s local distributor in Saint Lucia, has assured customers that models sold in the Caribbean nation are unaffected by this recall.
A spokesperson from JQ Motors emphasized the manufacturer’s rigorous notification process, stating, ‘Our models are not part of this recall. In the event of any recalls, whether safety-related or not, the manufacturer promptly informs all dealers and specifies the affected chassis numbers.’
The recall, announced by China’s State Administration for Market Regulation on October 17, includes 44,535 Tang series SUVs manufactured between March 2015 and July 2017. These vehicles are being recalled due to component design flaws that could lead to abnormal functionality. Additionally, 71,248 Yuan Pro EVs produced between February 2021 and August 2022 are being recalled over manufacturing issues related to battery installation.
This latest recall follows a separate incident in September 2024, where nearly 97,000 Dolphin and Yuan Plus EVs were recalled due to steering system faults that posed a fire risk. The consecutive recalls highlight ongoing challenges in BYD’s quality control and manufacturing processes, despite its rapid growth in the global EV market.
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Jazz Festival Takes Centre Stage at World Travel Market London
The Saint Lucia Tourism Authority (SLTA) has seized the spotlight at this year’s World Travel Market London, shining a renewed focus on its globally acclaimed Saint Lucia Jazz & Arts Festival. Held from November 4-6, the prestigious travel event served as an ideal platform for the SLTA to engage with industry partners and offer a sneak peek into the 2026 edition of the festival, slated for April 30 to May 10.
Geraine Georges, SLTA Public Relations Manager, emphasized the festival’s significance, stating, ‘Building on last year’s emphasis on community tourism, the 2025 highlight is our world-renowned Saint Lucia Jazz & Arts Festival.’ To amplify its reach, the SLTA hosted a preview event in London, attracting over 40 media representatives, influencers, trade partners, diaspora members, and festival enthusiasts.
The showcase aimed to spotlight the festival’s evolution, artistic diversity, and its pivotal role in bolstering Saint Lucia’s cultural identity. Louis Lewis, SLTA CEO, remarked, ‘This year, we’ve brought special attention to our Jazz & Arts Festival, exposing it to the UK traveling public as a unique travel opportunity for Saint Lucia.’
The SLTA delegation, led by Chairman Thaddeus M. Antoine, included key figures such as Board Director Thomas Leonce, Director of Global Marketing Dexter Percil, and Tourism Ambassador Julien Alfred, a World Champion sprinter. Accommodation partners like The Landings Resort and Spa and Harmony Marina Suites, alongside performers Ronald Boo Hinkson and Christa, also participated.
Lewis highlighted Saint Lucia’s growing appeal among travel partners, noting strong airline load factors and hotel occupancy rates. He underscored the festival’s dual role as a tourism driver and a platform for local artisans to gain international exposure. ‘We continue to capitalize on the festival not just to attract visitors but also to provide intrinsic benefits, such as offering our artisans a global stage,’ he added.
Unlike previous years, which focused on lineup announcements, this year’s approach was more thematic, emphasizing the festival’s cultural depth, community jazz initiatives, and artisan participation.
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Education, healthcare, highlighted at Doha Second World Summit for Social Development
The Second World Summit for Social Development, held in Doha, Qatar, from November 4-6, 2025, brought together global leaders to reaffirm the centrality of people in driving progress. The summit emphasized the need for enhanced global solidarity, robust social protection systems, and rights-based policies to eradicate poverty and inequality. Delegates showcased national initiatives, such as South Africa’s expanded welfare safety net, Brazil’s anti-hunger campaigns, Finland’s trust-based welfare model, and Singapore’s inclusive growth strategy, underscoring that sustainable prosperity hinges on equality, dignity, and peace.
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New ECSC headquarters aims to expand justice access in the OECS
On November 5, the Government of Saint Lucia officially inaugurated the new headquarters of the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court (ECSC) at Orange Grove Plaza in Gros Islet. This state-of-the-art facility, spanning three floors, boasts a total area of approximately 62,006 square feet, with 14,850 square feet in the basement, 21,650 square feet on the ground floor, and 26,506 square feet on the first floor. The building features expanded courtrooms, advanced IT infrastructure, dedicated conference spaces, and secure archival storage, all designed to enhance judicial efficiency and public service delivery. Attorney General Leslie Mondesir praised the facility as a significant step forward in improving access to justice, particularly through remote interactions that reduce barriers like distance and cost. Prime Minister Philip J Pierre highlighted the broader implications of the move, emphasizing the government’s commitment to upholding the rule of law and ensuring accessible justice for all citizens of the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS). The relocation addresses long-standing issues of space and functionality at the previous headquarters, marking a new chapter for the ECSC.
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Nigerian artist, medical student Somto Doris showcases first art exhibition in Saint Lucia
Somto Doris, a Nigerian-born artist and medical student, is captivating audiences with her debut art exhibition, ‘Body Currency: For Soul to Soul Interaction,’ at La Place Carenage in Castries, Saint Lucia. The showcase, supported by the Cultural Development Foundation (CDF), opened on October 29 and will continue until November 12, offering free entry to the public. Doris, who began painting as a child, decided to pursue art professionally in December 2016. By early 2017, she transitioned to oil paints and portraiture, a move that earned her recognition when one of her portraits won a competition in Nigeria, boosting her confidence in her craft. After relocating to Saint Lucia in September 2017, Doris has skillfully balanced her medical studies with her artistic endeavors, despite the challenges. ‘Balancing it with school wasn’t very easy… but it was a dedication,’ she shared. Her exhibition, ‘Body Currency,’ delves into human connection and emotion through vivid portraiture and cultural symbolism, showcasing her unique storytelling approach. Beyond her personal achievements, Doris is committed to nurturing the local art community. She founded an informal artist club that meets monthly to share ideas and collaborate. Doris also aspires to organize art competitions, workshops, and seminars to inspire consistency and commitment among artists. A recent highlight of her career was presenting a portrait to the President of Nigeria during his visit to Saint Lucia, an experience she described as a pivotal moment.
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Saint Lucia, Taiwan finalise US$20 M housing loan agreement
The Government of Saint Lucia has successfully negotiated a US$20 million loan from the Export-Import Bank of the Republic of China (Taiwan) to bolster affordable housing and infrastructure projects. This financial agreement, facilitated through the Saint Lucia Development Bank (SLDB), aims to provide critical support to low- and middle-income families across the nation. Prime Minister Philip J Pierre announced the finalized deal during a pre-cabinet press briefing on November 3, emphasizing that all terms and conditions of the loan have been agreed upon. ‘We’ve completed that arrangement,’ Pierre stated, addressing concerns about the interest rate spread. ‘Very soon, prospective homeowners in Saint Lucia will have access to US$20 million through on-lending from the SLDB.’ The initiative is expected to benefit public sector workers, with the government already implementing measures such as waiving stamp duty on mortgages up to $400,000 and removing VAT on building materials to encourage housing development. However, the government has yet to provide a specific timeline for when the funds will be accessible to borrowers.
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SLASPA workers secure 14% pay hike across two new deals
Employees of the Saint Lucia Air and Sea Ports Authority (SLASPA) are set to receive a significant 14% cumulative wage increase over six years, following the successful signing of two consecutive collective agreements with the National Workers’ Union (NWU). The agreements, spanning April 2021 to March 2024 and April 2024 to March 2027, each provide a structured 7% pay rise over their respective three-year periods. The phased increases are as follows: 2.0% from April 2021, 2.5% from April 2022, and 2.5% from April 2023 under the first agreement; and 2.0% from April 2024, 2.5% from April 2025, and 2.5% from April 2026 under the second. The signing ceremony, held on October 16, 2025, at the Labour Commissioner’s office, was hailed as a ‘historic achievement’ by SLASPA General Manager Daren Cenac, who commended the professionalism and cooperation of both negotiation teams. The agreements underscore SLASPA’s dedication to employee welfare, offering enhanced training, career development, workplace safety, and healthcare support. Grace Parkinson, SLASPA’s Chief Strategy and Business Development Officer, emphasized the workforce’s central role in the organization’s success, while NWU Secretary General Johann Harewood praised the collaborative spirit of the negotiations. Both parties also acknowledged the support of Labour Commissioner Joseph Joseph. The agreements are expected to boost employee morale and align with SLASPA’s strategic objectives in advancing Saint Lucia’s maritime and aviation sectors.
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Windies edge New Zealand in thriller in first T20I
In a heart-stopping encounter at Eden Park on November 5, the West Indies secured a dramatic victory against New Zealand in the opening match of their five-match T20 International series. This marked the Windies’ first win in regulation time in T20Is on New Zealand soil against the Black Caps, with their previous triumph coming via a Super Over.
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SALCC, SMC to meet for schools’ basketball title
The stage is set for an electrifying finale in the Under-19 boys’ schools’ basketball tournament, as defending champions Sir Arthur Lewis Community College (SALCC) prepare to face St Mary’s College (SMC) on Thursday, November 6. The championship clash, organized by the Ministry of Youth Development & Sports, will take place at the Beausejour Gymnasium, capping off an intense competition. SALCC secured their spot in the final with a commanding 66-44 victory over Castries Comprehensive Secondary School (CCSS) in the semifinals. Despite CCSS leading by five points at halftime, SALCC’s experience and defensive prowess turned the tide in their favor. Key performances from Malik Denis, who scored 21 points, grabbed 10 rebounds, and made eight steals, and Joel Desrivieres, with a double-double of 16 points and 12 rebounds, were instrumental in the win. Meshach Du Boulay stood out for CCSS with 25 points and 15 rebounds. Meanwhile, SMC avenged last year’s semifinal loss by defeating Soufrière Comprehensive Secondary School (SCSS) 50-39. Rollins Estwick led SMC with 23 points, seven rebounds, and three steals, while Jabarie Archibald contributed 10 points and 14 rebounds. SCSS, missing key player Alex Longville due to injury, saw strong performances from Curdin Jones, who recorded 16 points and 22 rebounds, and Chaz Alexander with 13 points. Earlier in the day, CCSS and SCSS will compete in the third-place playoff at 1 p.m., followed by the championship game at 2 p.m.