John Compton, prime minister of St. Lucia, dies at 82

International Herald Tribune: "CASTRIES, St. Lucia: Sir John Compton, the three-time leader of St. Lucia who guided the tiny Caribbean island to independence from Britain and infuriated China by restoring ties with Taiwan, has died, a member of his Cabinet said. He was 82. Compton, who became prime minister most recently in December, did not resume leadership duties after suffering a series of mild strokes in late April. He died Friday at the private Tapion Hospital in Castries, Commerce Minister Guy Mayers said."