标签： Saint Lucia

The construction of Saint Lucia’s highly anticipated Halls of Justice has achieved a significant milestone with the successful pouring of the first section of the foundation for the Annexe Building. This event, which took place on October 4, marks the commencement of the physical construction phase following months of meticulous preparation and engineering assessments. The Annexe Building is set to accommodate six new criminal courts, addressing the growing demands of the island’s judicial system.

Following an intensive three-day search, authorities have confirmed the recovery of 20-year-old Ajanie Hippolyte’s body. The young man from Marisule was reported missing after a suspected drowning incident on October 7. The search operation, spearheaded by the police marine unit and supported by family and friends, culminated in the discovery of Hippolyte’s remains on Thursday, October 9. While the recovery provides a semblance of closure to the grieving family, it also underscores the tragic loss of a young life that has left the local community in profound sorrow. The incident has sparked conversations about water safety and the importance of vigilance in preventing such tragedies in the future.

Authorities in Saint Lucia are intensifying their efforts to locate the body of 20-year-old Ajanie Hippolyte from Marisule, Gros Islet, who is presumed to have drowned near Marisule Beach on October 7, 2025. The Royal Saint Lucia Police Force (RSLPF) reported that officers from the Rodney Bay Police Station were dispatched to the scene following a distress call about a potential drowning incident at approximately 4:50 p.m. Initial investigations reveal that Hippolyte was among a group of four individuals who were kayaking when their vessels began to take on water and eventually capsized. While attempting to swim back to shore, Hippolyte struggled to stay afloat, and despite the efforts of his companions to save him, he disappeared beneath the waves. The RSLPF Marine Unit swiftly initiated a search operation but has yet to locate the young man. The search resumed the following day, October 8, as authorities remain committed to bringing closure to this tragic event.

The Caribbean Innovation and Leadership Lab (CILL), in partnership with the Ministries of Education of Saint Lucia, Dominica, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, is set to host the Caribbean Education Innovation Forum II. This pivotal event will take place from October 7 to 9, 2025, at the Beachcombers Hotel in Kingstown, Saint Vincent. Under the theme ‘Unlocking Full Potential: Transforming Education Through Innovation, Equity, and Insight,’ the forum aims to bring together educators, school leaders, and ministry officials to foster transformative change in Caribbean education systems. Attendees will explore teacher-led innovations, share evidence-based practices, and develop inclusive strategies to enhance equity in classrooms across the region. The Saint Lucia delegation will include Chief Education Officer Beverly Dieudonne, Education Officers Jean Jeriffe and Marie George-Arlain, and representatives from prominent schools such as Carmen Rene Memorial and Dennery Primary. Participants from the three nations will engage in role-based sessions, innovation showcases, and collaborative dialogues, with a particular focus on improving teacher–student relationships and scaling successful educational models through ministry support. This forum is a cornerstone of the Full Potential Program (FPP), a 2024–2027 initiative funded by GPE KIX, which seeks to strengthen equity and inclusion by empowering educators to design, test, and implement low-cost, locally tailored classroom innovations. The program is driving collaboration and capacity-building to improve teaching, learning, and student well-being across the Eastern Caribbean.

On October 5, Guyana marked a historic moment as seven aircraft from the Guyana Defence Force soared over the newly commissioned Bharrat Jagdeo Demerara River Bridge in Demerara. This monumental infrastructure project, valued at US$262 million, replaces the aging Demerara Harbour Bridge, which served the nation for 47 years. Named in honor of former president and current Vice President Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo, the bridge stands as a testament to his unwavering dedication to Guyana’s progress. At the commissioning ceremony, President Dr. Irfaan Ali emphasized the bridge’s significance, stating, ‘Great men deserve recognition, visionaries deserve legacies, and Guyana never forgets its giants.’ The Bharrat Jagdeo Demerara River Bridge is now Guyana’s largest and most advanced infrastructure project. Spanning 2.6 kilometers, the 50-meter high-span cable-stayed bridge features four lanes, a dedicated cycle/pedestrian lane, and connects Nandy Park on the East Bank of Demerara to La Grange on the West Bank. Designed for a 100-year lifespan and constructed by China Railway Construction (International) Limited with Politecnica as consultants, the bridge operates toll-free, 24/7, with a maximum speed limit of 80 km/h. President Ali highlighted the bridge’s transformative potential, calling it a ‘catalyst’ for modernization, industrialization, and economic growth. ‘It will open new corridors of development, pulling jobs, investments, and opportunities into flourishing communities,’ he declared. The bridge symbolizes Guyana’s readiness to embrace a future of progress and prosperity.