Day: July 3, 2025

The legacy of fallen K9 officer Tyson was at the forefront of discussion during Wednesday’s edition of Newsmaker Live. Forensic science consultant and avid dog lover Louis Murray paid tribute to the canine, who was widely regarded as a valuable crime-fighting asset to the Royal Saint Lucia Police Force (RSLPF). Tyson, who was gifted to Saint Lucia by the French government on July 8, 2024, played a significant role in enhancing the island’s law enforcement capabilities before his untimely death.

Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre has announced a sweeping Value Added Tax (VAT) exemption on more than 70 essential food items, in a move aimed at easing the cost of living for Saint Lucian households. The resolution is expected to be passed in Parliament today and will take effect from August 2, 2025, giving the private sector time to make necessary pricing adjustments.

The Saint Lucia hospitality and tourism sector will be hosting a Conflict Resolution Conference on Tuesday, July 8th, in partnership with mediation specialist Samora Isaac. The goal of the forum is to ensure that disputes among staff and management are resolved peacefully—without escalating into violence.
With the growing need for exceptional customer service and emotionally intelligent workers in the industry, the conference will place strong emphasis on emotional intelligence to help citizens avoid confrontation.

Citizens of the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) are set to benefit from new scholarships, improved air travel, and expanded trade and tourism opportunities following high-level meetings between Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre of Saint Lucia and Nigerian President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

As concerns over crime and national security intensify, the recent death of police K9 officer Tyson—gifted to Saint Lucia by the French government—has ignited political debate and public scrutiny. Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre and Opposition Leader Allen Chastanet both addressed the issue this week, offering sharply contrasting views on how the country is responding to crime and the tragic incident involving the canine officer.

In Parliament today, tensions flared over claims by the Opposition that they received key documents related to the day’s sitting far too late to properly prepare. Leader of the Opposition Allen Chastanet, backed by Choiseul MP Bradley Felix, says the late delivery of legislative documents undermines transparency and accountability. But Speaker of the House Claudius Francis is pushing back—saying the facts tell a different story.