Twenty senior public officers participated in a recent training session designed to improve the coordination, management and planning of oil spill responses, according to Government Information Services. More sessions are …
Wheatley meets with Overseas Territories minister in London
The day after returning from a trip to the United Kingdom to meet with the newly appointed minister for overseas territories, Premier Dr. Natalio “Sowande” Wheatley said he wasn’t able …
Continue reading “Wheatley meets with Overseas Territories minister in London”
Trade struggles with understaffing, mould
Applying for a trade licence may get easier next month if government is able to launch an online “gateway” designed to help ad- dress longstanding challenges faced by the Department …
Continue reading “Trade struggles with understaffing, mould”
Government to relaunch online work permit system
Work permit delays may soon be minimised by an online system that officials hope to relaunch by the end of March, but staffing constraints and other issues continue to pose …
Continue reading “Government to relaunch online work permit system”
55 compete in Painkiller Cup
Paddleboarders flocked to the Virgin Islands on Saturday to participate in the 11th annual Painkiller Cup, 11th annual Painkiller Cup, which spanned three islands. It was the first time since …
Police detain and release Willock without charges
Former Speaker of the House Julian Willock was detained by police on Tuesday morning on suspicion of human trafficking, but he was released the same day with no charges, according …
Continue reading “Police detain and release Willock without charges”
BVI Tourist Board, businesses partner for cleanup
Bags of sargassum, debris and other trash lined the shores of Trellis Bay after two dozen people from six yachts spent about two hours cleaning the area last Thursday. Visiting …
Continue reading “BVI Tourist Board, businesses partner for cleanup”
Government hikes taxi fees for cruise shippers
To help taxi drivers address rising costs, Deputy Premier Kye Rymer recently approved taxi rate hikes that will primarily affect cruise ship passengers visiting the territory. The new fares — …
Continue reading “Government hikes taxi fees for cruise shippers”
Referendum to test same-sex marriage
With government facing a lawsuit seeking to legalise same-sex marriage in the Virgin Islands, Premier Dr. Natalio “Sowande” Wheatley announced on Monday that the public will get to air their …
New unit to manage foreign yacht licensing
Foreign-based water taxis and day charters that come into Virgin Islands waters can now process paperwork and fees online through the newly established Commercial Recreations Vessel Licensing Unit, according to …
Continue reading “New unit to manage foreign yacht licensing”
Grant to expand seawater testing
Funded by a $933,189 grant from the European Union, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Labour will expand its seawater-quality-monitoring programme over the next 14 months through an effort that …
New border security system coming soon
As part of efforts to boost security and border protection, the territory has entered into a memorandum of understanding with the Caribbean Community Implementation Agency for Crime and Security. The …
13 Commission of Inquiry reforms complete as of unit’s latest report
Thirteen of the 50 reform measures government promised following the Commission of Inquiry were complete by the end of October, with 35 more in progress and two scheduled to start …
Continue reading “13 Commission of Inquiry reforms complete as of unit’s latest report”
Public officer denies guilt in Fahie note case
Najan Christopher, director of the International Affairs Secretariat, faced Magistrates’ Court last Thursday in connection with a letter allegedly prepared without proper authorisation to request head-of-government immunity for then-Premier Andrew …
Continue reading “Public officer denies guilt in Fahie note case”
House of Assembly okays policy for constituency offices
Last month the House of Assembly approved a policy that legislators said will facilitate funding for staffed constituency offices in each district, but the policy has not yet been made …
Continue reading “House of Assembly okays policy for constituency offices”
Christmas in the City gets bigger
Christmas music filled the air in central Road Town on Friday and Saturday as vendors showed off their wares and community members searched for gifts at Christmas in the City. …
Fahie steps down, resigns his seat
Almost seven months after former Premier Andrew Fahie was arrested in Florida and accused of conspiring to smuggle cocaine into the United States, he resigned his First District seat and …
10th Anegada Lobster Festival a hit
At sunrise on Friday, a dozen residents gathered on the Anegada ferry dock to set an intention for the weekend: that everyone arriving to the “drowned island” would be safe …
Tourism booms as Covid ebbs
The tourism season started barely two weeks ago, but business is already booming at Foxy’s Tamarind Bar on Jost Van Dyke. “I don’t think we’ve ever seen a season like …
Public service touts ‘transformation’
Touting what they described as progress toward an “agile, lean, digital and green” public sector focused on service and innovation, ministry leaders explained their recent achievements during a “midterm review” …
Boat owner charged in fatal wreck
A second man involved in the boat crash that killed Frandy Martin Jr. last October stood before Magistrates’ Court on Friday, facing a charge of failing to render assistance following …
Minister: Virgin Islands facing nurse shortage
As the territory grapples with a shortage of nurses and other medical professionals, the BVI Health Services Authority is recruiting staff from Cuba, Ghana and the Philippines, according to Health …
Continue reading “Minister: Virgin Islands facing nurse shortage”
Dancing, singing and cooking at Cultural Extravanganza
Flames lit up Road Town on Saturday evening as the annual Cultural Extravaganza closed with a bonfire at the Festival Village Grounds. Residents from across the territory gathered throughout the …
Continue reading “Dancing, singing and cooking at Cultural Extravanganza”
Students pushed to innovate during Innovation Week
During the government’s Innovation Week expo on Friday, programmer Jesse Field wore a blue shirt adorned with the outline of a skeleton. When attendees approached him, he asked them to …
Continue reading “Students pushed to innovate during Innovation Week”
Lit Fest back with 40-plus speakers
Audience members at the H. Lavity Stoutt Community College hung on to the words of poets, essayists, novelists, filmmakers and other speakers last week during the second annual BVI Literary …