The U.S. government is catching up with Black people who have been commemorating the end of slavery in the United States for generations with a day called “Juneteenth.” President Joe Biden signed a bill Thursday that was passed by Congress to set aside Juneteenth, or June 19th, as a federal holiday. “I hope this is … Continued
The Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC) said it has welcomed another partner into the fold with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding with the Western Illinois University (WIU) that will see the American university recognizing qualifications from the regional exam body. It said that under the agreement, which was signed at a virtual ceremony on … Continued
Pursuant to the public announcement made by Premier and Minister with responsibility for Ports, Honourable Andrew A. Fahie, on Thursday, April 8th, regarding the postponement of port fee increases to 2022, the British Virgin Islands Ports Authority officially advises all stakeholders that the majority of fees, included those scheduled to take effect next month, will … Continued
Mrs. Curve BVI – Sophia Rubaine and Mrs. Classique BVI- Deborah Maddox both departed the territory on June 18th, to represent at the international leg of the pageants to be held in Palm springs, California on June 26th. Both ambassadors were officially appointed on March 5th, 2021 and began preparations in pursuit of the international … Continued
While the territory experienced inclement weather from a tropical wave on the night of Thursday June 17 that mainly resulted in heavy showers, at least one other Caribbean country has reportedly suffered moderate damage from a “freak storm”. Barbados experienced a tropical wave on the night of Wednesday June 16 which resulted in houses completely … Continued
The BVI Football Association’s Youth programme has been making positive strides in the development of young footballers here in the territory. This is according to the BVI Football Association’s President Andy Bickerton who made the statement during an interview with 284 Media on Thursday June 17. Bickerton was speaking on the advancements made in youth … Continued
In a media release today June 18th, 2021, Speaker of the House of Assembly of the Virgin Islands issued a statement confirming that he will be attending the COI hearing today June 18th, 2021. The statement said “I have been made aware that members of the public, my Honourable colleagues in the Fourth House of … Continued
Are you craving delectable local cuisine? Maybe you are yearning for a break from virtual meetings and looking for an escape in nature. The BVI Tourist Board encourages you to Relax, because We Have Everything Here! This summer, “Find Yourself right here in the BVI” and indulge in a BVI Staycation. The BVI Tourist Board … Continued
The National Disaster Management Council (NDMC), will be meeting virtually today Friday, June 18, to discuss the British Virgin Islands hurricane readiness and to develop a plan to have the territory fully prepared for the 2021 Atlantic Hurricane season. A media release from the Office of the Deputy Governor confirmed the meeting which will be … Continued
Suriname Thursday announced a complete lockdown on Sundays and holidays until July 5, as the Dutch-speaking Caribbean Community (CARICOM) country and other member states recorded deaths linked to COVID-19. The number of COVID-19 deaths in Suriname has risen to 427 after nine people died from the virus, pushing the total for this month to 125. … Continued
The Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis has recorded its first COVID-19 death, after a dramatic spike in cases since late May. This was confirmed by their Minister of Health Akilah Byron-Nisbett during live press conference on Thursday June 17. She said the death was reported to her office around midday on Thursday and revealed … Continued
SKNIS His Excellency Sir S.W. Tapley Seaton, GCMG, CVO, QC, JP, LL.D, Governor-General of St. Kitts and Nevis, has issued a proclamation dated June 15, 2021, declaring a State of Emergency. The State of Emergency comes about in the wake of a new wave of rising COVID-19 infections brought about by community spread that has … Continued
Caribbean News Online President Irfaan Ali proclaimed that the floods across Guyana have reached the stage of a national disaster and crisis. In a gazetted proclamation of the floods as a national disaster, it was noted that 28,228 households have been affected by flooding in all ten administrative regions. Some of those households have seen … Continued
In an effort to further encourage residents to get vaccinated, Washington state’s liquor and cannabis board has launched the “Joints for Jabs” campaign, which will temporarily allow state-licensed cannabis retailers to give a free joint to adults who get the vaccine. This initiative remains in effect until July 12.The board has stipulated that cannabis retailers … Continued
Caribbean News Online Due to COVID-19, the Queen’s official birthday has been marked by a “mini” Trooping the Colour for the second year. This year’s Trooping the Colour saw a reduced parade in the grounds of Windsor Castle, rather than in central London, led by the 2nd Battalion Scots Guards. It is only the third … Continued
AP Prince Harry and Meghan may have stepped away from their royal duties — but family appeared to be top of mind in naming their second child, Lilibet “Lili” Diana Mountbatten-Windsor, who was born Friday in California. The name pays tribute to both Harry’s grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II, whose family nickname is Lilibet, and his … Continued
AP With her three teenagers vaccinated against COVID-19, Aja Purnell-Mitchell left it up to them to decide whether to go back to school during summer break. The decision was unanimous: summer school. “Getting them back into it, helping them socialize back with their friends, maybe meet some new people, and, of course, pick up the … Continued
A lawsuit has been filed against the Guyanese government seeking to stop oil and gas exploration in the country’s offshore blocks. The lawsuit was filed by Quadad De Freitas, a 21 year old indigenous tour guide and Dr Troy Thomas, a University Lecturer, who claim that the government’s approval of exploration licenses goes against its … Continued
Sir Richard Branson is inviting the public to experience the luxury of staying at one of his private islands. This spring, the billionaire businessman, 70, is set to open Moskito Island, a 125-acre private paradise in the British Virgin Islands, to the public. It’s located just two miles away from his beloved Necker Island, a strip of … Continued
(THE NEW YORK TIMES) – Big businesses often donate to both political parties and say their support is tied to narrow issues of specific interest to their industries. That practice became increasingly fraught last week, after a pro-Trump mob stormed the Capitol and some Republican lawmakers tried to overturn Joseph R. Biden Jr.’s win in … Continued
Former President Barack Obama’s “A Promised Land” sold more than 1.7 million copies in North America in its first week, roughly equal to the combined first week sales of memoirs by his two immediate predecessors and among the highest ever for a nonfiction book. Crown announced Tuesday that it had increased its initial print run … Continued
VI CONSORITIUM Five-time NBA champion, two-time NBA M.V.P., three-time NBA Finals M.V.P. and fifteen-time NBA All Star player, Tim Duncan — a St. Croix native — will officially have another accolade associated to his name on Saturday: hall of fame inductee. Mr. Duncan will be officially inducted on Saturday into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall … Continued
VIBE Tina Turner, Shawn “Jay-Z” Carter, and (finally) Todd James “LL Cool J” Smith will be inducted into the 2021 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. On early Wednesday morning (May 12), it was announced that Turner and Carter would headline the performer’s category with the Foo Fighters, The Go-Go’s, Carole King, and Todd Rundgren. … Continued
Earl Simmons, the snarling yet soulful rapper known as DMX, who had a string of No. 1 albums in the late 1990s and early 2000s but whose personal struggles eventually rivaled his lyrical prowess, died on Friday in White Plains, N.Y. He was 50. His family announced the death in a statement. He had been … Continued
The Source Entertainment Tonight is catching on to the changing times and making history with their recent announcement that they have tapped Nischelle Turner, as the first Black woman to anchor their industry-leading Hollywood media brand. Turner is preceded by Mary Hart (1982-2011) and Nancy O’Dell (2011-2019), and is just the third woman in the … Continued
OPINION: ADÉX – WRITER & VISUAL ARTIST As we return to a sense of normalcy in North America over the Spring/Summer months, the number of Caribbean workers who travel abroad to work from the OECS will likely increase during this time. This is why regional bodies need to step-up its involvement in protecting its citizens … Continued
BACKGROUND Before laying out the observations which will more so focus on the 2000-2021 period where the most ex-athletes have been elected to govern, it’s important to provide some requisite background to strengthen the points. With the exception of Cricket and Softball Associations formed in 1945 and 1952 respectively, six other sporting associations—Athletics, Tennis, Sailing, … Continued
ADÉX – Writer & Visual Artist The 2021 Saint Lucia elections is gearing up to be a battle of the bases, and the Saint Lucia Labor Partys’ (SLP) base is simply larger. So instead, the United Workers Party has gambled on making this election about its leader Allen Chastanet but that has been a dismal … Continued
Only a strong social democracy; not a trickledown capitalist model, will deliver for the BVI OK. It was small business and the working man that kept the BVI economy alive Post IRMA and will do the same Post COVID 19. Small business and strong consumer spending will drive economic growth and prosperity, when the pandemic … Continued
Commissioner Sir Gary Hickinbottom has refuted claims published within a local news article which suggests that confidential information was leaked to the news agency by senior officials of the Commission of Inquiry (COI). Sir Hickinbottom also ordered an immediate investigation into the leak which he termed to be a very serious breach of confidential information. … Continued
The late submission of the Register of Interests declaration by at least one first-time legislator has been linked to the absence of an orientation process upon taking office. This was the sentiments shared by Junior Minister for Tourism Sharie de Castro when she appeared before the Commission of Inquiry (COI) on Monday June 14. The … Continued
The BVI government has established four fully vaccinated ports of entry across the territory to receive fully vaccinated international travellers and crew members. Premier Andrew Fahie made the announcement during a live tourism update on Tuesday June 15, where he revealed that Cabinet had signed onto the new initiative which comes into effect on Thursday … Continued
Speaker of the House of Assembly Julian Willock has said that he believes the rights of the members of the House continue to be violated by the Commissioner of Inquiry, Sir Gary Hickinbottom. In a media release statement issued from the Office of the Speaker on Monday June 14, Willock expressed his discontent with several … Continued
The BVI Football Association’s Youth programme has been making positive strides in the development of young footballers here in the territory. This is according to the BVI Football Association’s President Andy Bickerton who made the statement during an interview with 284 Media on Thursday June 17. Bickerton was speaking on the advancements made in youth … Continued
