Renowned Jamaican reggae singer and producer Pluto Shervington has died, passing away Friday morning in a Florida hospital where he was admitted the day before. Born Leighton Keith Shervington, he began his music career in the early 1970s as part of the showband “Tomorrow’s Children”. His 1976 single “Dat,” about a Rastafarian trying to secretly … Continued
The Cabinet of the Virgin Islands has appointed six representatives from civil society, a legal practitioner and the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Education, Youth Affairs and Sports to the Higher Education Licensing Board for three-year terms beginning December 1st, 2023. The named appointees are Dr. Arlene Smith-Thompson, Mr. Glen Harrigan, Mr. Ian Smith, … Continued
Officials from the Ministry of Tourism recently met with representatives of the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) Commission to progress a unified Eastern Caribbean tourism policy. The meetings were held January 15-20 and included Team Leader and Tourism Technical Specialist Maria Fowell and supporting consultant and Tourism Policy and Development Advisor Dr. Jennifer Edwards. … Continued
The Cabinet of the Virgin Islands has decided to amend the Integrity in Public Life Act (No. 43 of 2021) in several ways to strengthen the Integrity Commission. The amendments will expand the Commission’s powers per recommendations from an independent review by Mr. Denniston Fraser. This includes making inquiries and declarations, examining public body practices … Continued
The British Virgin Islands experienced a significant increase in tourism arrivals in 2023, with a total of 994,253 visitors marking a 90% increase compared to 2022. The month of March was the most popular, attracting 138,472 visitors across all categories. Cruise Ship Visitors The majority of tourists arrived via cruise ships, with a total of … Continued
The H Lavity Stoutt Community College (HLSCC) will be launching a new satellite campus on Jost Van Dyke soon. The Jost Van Dyke campus will be located at the island’s newly constructed primary school. Education Minister Sharie de Castro announced this new development during the JVD Primary School’s opening ceremony. She said the campus will … Continued
Recent testimony by the Virgin Islands Recovery and Development Agency (RDA) during the Deliberations of the Standing Finance Committee provided insights into how things are proceeding with the Trellis Bay Welcome Centre project. The RDA is developing the multi-phase initiative alongside the BVI Tourist Board. Phase One entails constructing the Welcome Center facility itself. According … Continued
The Virgin Islands Alzheimer’s Association (VIAA) is collaborating with the Rotaract Club of Virgin Gorda, Valley Sound Lions Club, and Sister Islands Programme to host a special concert promoting music’s brain benefits. The “Power of Music on the Brain” event will take place on Saturday, January 27th at Walter’s Recreational Park in Virgin Gorda from … Continued
The Civil Registry and Passport Office has outlined several initiatives projected for 2024 to improve services and increase revenue. A major goal is launching an online component for the e-Visa system, contingent on the government’s online payment portal rollout. This would modernize and streamline visa applications. The Registry also plans to execute public awareness campaigns … Continued
During recent testimony to the Standing Finance Committee the Department of Immigration’s Deputy Chief Immigration Officer (DCIO) advised that there are currently 1,721 pending applications for belongership and residency status. Of those, 275 are belongership applications. The DCIO advised that the department has recorded a massive increase in applications for residency and belongership since the … Continued
