Virgin Islander Wayne Stout, Jr, a 35-year-old BVI boat captain has been sentenced to nine years in US prison for conspiracy to distribute cocaine. The sentence was handed down in Orlando, Florida by District Judge Roy B. Dalton, Jr. Stout Jr. was caught in June as part of a multi-million-dollar drug bust in the United … Continued
Taxi operators now have new tariffs to charge passengers after the new rates for the transportation industry was approved and published in the Virgin Islands Official Gazette on Wednesday. The revised fares are contained in Statutory Instrument 2022 No 106 – Road Traffic (Passenger Fares) (Amendment) Regulations, 2022 and was approved by the Deputy Premier … Continued
Residents have expressed mixed reviews on whether term limits should be imposed on local politicians who have long reigns in office. This is according to the Chairwoman of the Constitutional Review Commission Mrs. Lisa Penn-Lettsome who made the disclosure while appearing as a guest on local show Real Talk with host Karia Christopher. She said … Continued
The Memorandum of Understanding with the CARICOM Implementation Agency for Crime and Security (IMPACS) for the exchange of Advance Passenger Information (API) has been signed by the Government of the Virgin Islands. The signing occurred during a brief ceremony that included dignitaries including the Governor His Excellency John Rankin, Premier Dr. the Hon. Natalio Wheatley, … Continued
Local Talk Show Host Claude Skelton Cline believes that it will be a sprint to the finish once elections are called in the Virgin Islands, mainly due to the territory’s main political parties lacking the necessary financial backing to fund a long election. “Neither of the two major parties have any money… Neither the NDP … Continued
The St. Georges Primary School rang in the Holiday Season on Tuesday with a Christmas extravaganza which featured performances from its talented young students, who shared the Christmas Spirit, and reminded what the holiday is truly all about. Here are some moments from that activity.
The frequent arrival of cruiseships to Tortola, and the hundreds of visitors seen roaming about the island daily are evidence of the return of Cruise Ship Activity to the territory. While the visuals are appealing, do they signify a resurgance of tourism activity at all levels? 284Media took to Craft Alive this week to find … Continued
United States Women’s NBA star Brittney Griner has finally been freed from Russian prison after the two countries agreed to a prison swap involving a notorious Russian arms dealer. Viktor Bout who was held in a U.S prison for the past 12 years was swapped for the female basketball star who was arrested at a Moscow … Continued
USVI native, award winning songwriter and producer Theron Thomas is ending 2022 with a bang, having recently learned that he is nominated in 7 categories for the upcoming 65th Grammy Awards. 284News caught up with him this week on this notable achievement. Stay tuned to 284 Media on Facebook, 284media.com and CCT Live for the … Continued
There were plenty of goals in this weekend’s National League action, with Old Madrid FC leading the way with a 9-0 victory against Positive FC, whilst VG United overcame Panthers FC 7-1. Once again, all the action was at the FA’s new headquarters in East End / Long Look, starting with Bernard Cumberbatch hitting a … Continued
National Federations, athletes, coaches, medics and volunteers benefitted from the BVI Olympic Committee (BVIOC) free Anti-Doping and Sports Nutrition Workshop held in the Eileen Parsons Auditorium at the H. Lavity Stoutt Community College, Tortola on Saturday morning, December 3. An anti-doping presentation was made in the evening at the Bregado Flax Educational Center on Virgin … Continued
West Indies cricket legends Elquemedo Willet and Dr. Sir Anderson Roberts along with local cricket legends Brent Defreitas and Maxford Pipe were honoured by the Leeward Islands Cricket Board during their inaugural Gold Jacket Award Ceremony held at the Moorings on Tuesday. Cricket dignitaries inclusive of the President of the Leeward Islands Cricket Board Enoch … Continued
The Virgin Islands Search and Rescue has changed some minds on the topic of ice skating in the Caribbean over the past three years, with its Winter Wonderland at the Cyril B Romney Tortola Pier Park. VISAR’s Operations Manager Phil Aspinall notes the activity as a success with scalable potential. Aspinall noted that the possibility … Continued
Mrs. Tashi O’Flaherty-Maduro is the new Registrar General at the Civil Registry and Passport Office after being confirmed to the post effective December 1, 2022. The confirmation came in a media release from the Government of the Virgin Islands which said Maduro’s appointment is a natural progression following the unexpected passing of the previous Registrar … Continued
Residents across the Caribbean are being warned to brace for heavy rains and possible flooding throughout the holiday season as the Caribbean Institute for Meteorology and Hydrology predicts significant risk for inclement weather throughout the month of December. In an interview with the Caribbean Media Corporation, Climatologist Cedric Van Meerbeeck noted that despite the dry season … Continued
Despite the decision of two main opposition parties to boycott the 2022 General Election in Dominica, Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit is still urging Dominicans to come out and exercise their democratic right on December 6. The trend began earlier this month with news that the Dominica’s United Workers Party has decided not to contest the … Continued
Former Prime Minister of Haiti Laurent Lamothe is demanding an apology from the Canadian Government after he was added to a list of Haitian Officials sanctioned for allegedly “providing illicit financial and operational support” to the armed gangs which have plagued Haiti. In a recent statement Lamothe accused the Canadian Government of making the decision … Continued
While COVID 19 infection rates remain low, the US Virgin Islands are monitoring the threat of another infectious respiratory disease which has warranted several paediatric hospitalisations in recent weeks. According to Territorial Epidemiologist for the USVI Esther Ellis, Respiratory Syncytial Virus or RSV, as it is commonly known, is a matter of serious concern. “Nationally … Continued
November 15, 2022 has been marked as a milestone in human development, as the world population grew to surpass 8 billion people for the first time in human history. “The day of 8 billion” as it has been dubbed by the United Nations (UN) reflects the addition of an additional 1 billion people to the … Continued
Recently appointed Minister for the United Kingdom Overseas Territories (OTs) the Right Honourable Lord Goldsmith has pledged his support in assisting the BVI and other OTs in their fight against climate change. This is according to a message relayed by the Minister for Natural Resources and Labour Honourable Melvin Turnbull who met with Goldsmith during … Continued
The Right Honourable Lord Goldsmith MP has been appointed as the new Minister of State for Overseas Territories, Commonwealth, Energy, Climate & Environment. This was confirmed in a statement moments ago by the Office of the Governor. The statement said, “Lord Goldsmith succeeds the Rt Hon Jesse Norman MP as Minister for Overseas Territories, who … Continued
An additional eleven British Overseas Territories have been added to Russia’s “Unfriendly Countries List”. A release from the country’s cabinet identified the affected territories as Bermuna, British Antarctic Territory, British Indian Ocean Territory the, Cayman Islands, Falkland Islands, Montserrat, Pitcairn Islands, St. Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha Islands, South Georgia and the South Sandwich … Continued
The immigration process at the Terrance B Lettsome International Airport will soon be streamlined to make the travelling experience seamless for all inbound and outbound travellers. Premier and Minister for Tourism Dr. the Honourable Natalio Wheatley made the announcement during a recent press conference, where he revealed that his government will soon be signing a … Continued
While acknowledging that local bush cutters have been significantly impacted by the recent Commission of Inquiry Recommendation to cease the issuing of petty contracts, Premier Dr. the Honourable Natalio Wheatley says his government’s new RATED programme is designed to address these kinds of unemployment issues. Premier Wheatley addressed the subject during the recently concluded Fourth … Continued
The government has announced a number of technological initiatives for 2023 that will seek to improve its tax collection measures, including upgrading its Standard Integrated Government Tax Administration System (SIGTAS) and the establishment of an e-payment system. These were some of the many initiatives announced by Premier and Minister of Finance Dr. the Honourable Natalio … Continued
Premier and Minister of Finance Dr. the Honourable Natalio Wheatley has announced a 2023 budget totaling $399.33 million with the Ministry of Health to receive the largest percentage of the recurrent allocations. Premier Wheatley made the announcement during the 2023 Budget Address in the House of Assembly this morning. He said the numbers display a … Continued
National Federations, athletes, coaches, medics and volunteers benefitted from the BVI Olympic Committee (BVIOC) free Anti-Doping and Sports Nutrition Workshop held in the Eileen Parsons Auditorium at the H. Lavity Stoutt Community College, Tortola on Saturday morning, December 3. An anti-doping presentation was made in the evening at the Bregado Flax Educational Center on Virgin … Continued
The Virgin Islands Archery Association Nationals was called the 2022 D ‘Foster Cup, and was held on November 26, 2022, at the HLSCC Campus. The name of the cup was in fond loving memory of the Association’s Inaugural President, David Foster, who passed away. The medals displayed an engraved image of Mr. Foster at full … Continued
The BVI now has its first sixth Dan Black Belt Shihan, five new first degree black belts and one new second degree black belt in the martial arts discipline of Don Jitsu Ryu. The seven residents achieved their latest accomplishment in the discipline at the recently concluded Group of Dragons Don Jitsu Ryu Black Belt … Continued
Wolues FC thrashed Old Madrid FC 11-0 to move just one point behind the leaders of the BVI Football Association’s National League Sugar Boys FC. Playing for Wolues, Marcus Robinson netted a quadruple of goals in the 4th, 7th, 24th and 71st minutes, while Rush Broderick collected a hat trick in the 10th, 37th and … Continued
The Virgin Islands Motors, NAPA Store Duffs Bottom, sponsored seven (7) persons to attend a Tool & Equipment Expo at NAPA Distribution Center, Miami, U.S.A. During the week of November 14th, 2022. The team included Mr. Allan Parker owner of Virgin Islands Motors, as well as Educators and Mechanics who participated in the Product Knowledge … Continued
The Board of Directors and Management of the BVI Airports Authority (BVIAA) received training as they hosted the Director General of the Airports Council International for Latin America and the Caribbean (ACI-LAC), Dr. Rafael Echevarne from November 21 to 22. Dr. Echevarne facilitated an Airports Economics Seminar with the senior members of the BVIAA staff … Continued
Newly appointed Chief Executive Officer of CIBC FirstCaribbean, Mark St. Hill has been unanimously elected as the next Chair of the bank’s charitable arm, the FirstCaribbean International ComTrust Foundation at recent board meeting of the trustees. St. Hill who assumed leadership of the regional bank on November 1, following the retirement of Colette Delaney who … Continued
The British Virgin Islands’ practitioners were present during key discussions held on asset allocation and the macro-economic outlook for the year ahead, in an increasingly stoical and challenging economic forecast for the world – at the 9th Annual Private Wealth Latin America and the Caribbean Forum. BVI Finance Global Head of Business Development and Marketing, … Continued
When we think about becoming, we are engaged in nature, the essence about being true to ourselves. We are looking to the future through self-actualization and aspirations for transformation. In this sense, every human being is a work in progress, a work on the potter’s wheel, a work under the direction of the human designer, … Continued
The following is commentary by Shaina Smith-Archer. Today I concluded that somewhere over the years we stopped engineering roads and settled for roadways that are cousins to obstacle courses. Potholes are the least of the problem which are a problem because the roads don’t have a concrete base. We are paving dirt. 🤨 Between the … Continued
The following is commentary by Dr. Charles H. Wheatley. For many years I have noticed, grown concerned and spoken about the following “policy” in employing civil servants. In appearing to empower civil servants the governing authority may be implicitly doing a disservice to B. V. Islanders. I am referring to issuing appointments to persons before … Continued
The following is commentary by Dr. Charles H. Wheatley The fourth quality of leadership I decided to reflect on may be expressed as follows: “Leaderd Should be Ethical and Civic Minded.” After deciding on this topic, I put it down and began to look inwardly to see if within me there was the sincerity needed … Continued
25th November will be an evening of spectacular cultural entertainment when a collage of bands from Anguilla, Nevis, and several villages around the British Virgin Islands takes the stage at the Cyril B. Romney Tortola Pier Park. The evening’s celebration will begin at 5:30 p.m. with a brief opening ceremony and will be one of … Continued
Visitors and residents of the British Virgin Islands will be in for a treat of delicious BVI culinary delicacies at a grand culture and food fair on 25th November, as the celebration of Culture and Tourism Month 2022 nears its climax. The food will be on the fire and ice-cold beverages available from 12:30 p.m. … Continued
Saturday, 19th November at 6:00 p.m. the Eileene L. Parsons Auditorium will come alive with an evening of exceptional live theatre performance when a cast of talented youth in the Virgin Islands gets together for a show stopping production and performance in Under the Sea with Anansi. The public is invited to attend. This production … Continued
Fay Ann Lyons and Bunji Garlin are among a group of artistes selected for the latest Apple Music Sessions. The duo both contributed a four-track EP each for the Sessions, which were released on Monday, August 15 on Apple Music. One of the featured songs “Island Vibe” was produced by Virgin Islander Alton Bertie. Other … Continued
