Students across the British Virgin Islands will soon experience one of the most significant changes to Caribbean secondary education in decades after the Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC) announced it will replace traditional School-Based Assessments (SBAs) in most non-practical subjects with supervised assessments.The reforms, introduced in response to the rapid rise of artificial intelligence (AI), are expected to affect hundreds of students in the Virgin Islands who sit Caribbean Secondary...

The Caribbean literary community is mourning the loss of one of its most celebrated voices following the passing of renowned poet, novelist, columnist and sports writer Dr. Ian McDonald.Tributes have poured in from across the region, with Guyana’s President, Dr. Irfaan Ali, describing McDonald as “a literary figure of worth” and one of the Caribbean’s most distinguished sons.In a heartfelt message of condolence, President Ali reflected on McDonald’s remarkable life, which spanned several Ca...

Nearly nine years after Hurricanes Irma and Maria devastated the U.S. Virgin Islands, the territory’s recovery effort has entered one of its darkest chapters.The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), under the Trump Administration, has suspended all future federal funding to the Virgin Islands Housing Finance Authority (VIHFA), accusing the agency of years of financial mismanagement, weak oversight, false certifications, improper payments and allowing a culture in which fraud ...

GEORGETOWN, Guyana — A massive search and rescue operation is underway in Guyana after a passenger ferry carrying 133 people capsized off the country’s northern coast, leaving dozens feared dead in one of the nation’s most serious maritime disasters in recent years.The vessel, identified as the MV Barima, was travelling from Georgetown to Port Kaituma when it encountered difficulties late Saturday night before capsizing near the Pomeroon River area. Authorities said the ferry was carrying 116...

The reggae fraternity is mourning the loss of one of its most distinctive voices following the death of Jamaican roots reggae singer Fantan Mojah, who passed away on Tuesday at the age of 49 after reportedly suffering complications related to a heart condition. His death comes just weeks before what would have been his 50th birthday.  Born Owen Lennox Moncrieffe on August 5, 1976, in White Hill, St Elizabeth, Jamaica, Fantan Mojah rose to prominence in the early 2000s as one of the leading figur...

GEORGE TOWN, Cayman Islands — History was made in the Cayman Islands on Wednesday as Hon. Gloria McField-Nixon was officially sworn in as the country’s first female Deputy Governor and Head of the Civil Service.McField-Nixon took the oath of office during a formal ceremony before immediately assuming her constitutional responsibilities. Following her swearing-in, she attended her first Cabinet meeting as Deputy Governor, joining the Governor, the Premier and Cabinet ministers in her new role.H...

A major diplomatic rift has emerged within the leadership of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) following objections raised by Trinidad and Tobago Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar over the reappointment of CARICOM Secretary General Dr Carla Barnett.Persad-Bissessar has formally requested that the issue be taken before the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ), arguing that the court should provide guidance on the legality and interpretation of the process that led to Barnett’s continued appointm...

ESTATE BOVONI, St Thomas, USVI — Top Priority Racing Stables enjoyed a remarkable day at the Clinton E. Phipps Sr. Racetrack on July 5, securing victories in all three of its races as the stable showcased its strength on the regional racing circuit.Owned by Lesmore Smith, the Tortola-based stable produced a flawless performance, with each winning horse trained by Kelvin Smith and guided to victory by jockey Winston Hurst Jr..The winning streak began in Race 2, a seven-furlong event for mares an...