On Friday, May 31, 2024, officers from the Royal VirginIslands Police Force conducted several search operations on Virgin Gorda as part of investigations into the attempted armed robbery at Leverick Bay Resort on Sunday, May 26, 2024.Several search warrants were executed at multiple properties believed to be linked to the crime. Two individuals were arrested, and items of evidential valuewere seized.During one of the searches, evidence was also uncovered linking a person of interest to large-sca...

“We are island people and the sea is an ever present and central fixture in our lives. In BVI, views of the seascapes are legion.  They calm our spirits and at times, make us look beyond ourselves, perhaps to the god of the seas. (not Poseidon) None can dispute the fact that the BVI is an amazingly beautiful part of the creation.  We believe evolution would have been severely challenged to install such a masterpiece. The seas are a major source of food.&n...

Officers of the RVIPF's Marine Unit received a report of a suspicious vessel while on patrol after 11 pm on May 30. In collaboration with other law enforcement agencies, the officers intercepted and searched the vessel. During the search, several concealed packages suspected to contain cocaine were discovered. Our newsroom understands some 300 kilograms  of cocaine were seized. Research shows the street value at over $6 million dollar. The three male occupants of the vessel were ar...

The BVI Asia Trade Mission, led by Deputy Premier and Minister for Financial Services, Honourable Lorna Smith, has concluded its roadshows in Beijing and Shanghai, with more than 300 industry representatives and professionals present for two days of informative speeches, panel discussions, and networking on the BVI’s financial services product offerings. The delegation also held a series of productive engagements with Chinese Government representatives.At events in Beijing and Shanghai, th...

The Department of Culture hosted the Virgin Islands Built Heritage and the Art of Archaeological Reconstruction workshop on Thursday May 29, 2024. The workshop for Technical Drawing senior secondary school students from the Bregado Flax Educational Centre, the Virgin Islands School of Technical Studies and the Elmore Stoutt High School, was held at Cedar International School and St. Philip's Anglican Church Ruins and Heritage Site.Facilitators for the morning session were Dr. Katherine ...

The Department of Immigration has been honored with the prestigious title of 'Most Improved Department' based on statistics from the RATEUS platform according to the latest edition of the Public Service Customer Service Newsletter.The RATEUS platform, a comprehensive tool for evaluating government service delivery, has recognized the Department of Immigration for its remarkable progress and dedication to enhancing efficiency, transparency, and customer satisfaction.According to Acting Ch...

The Ministry of Finance marks a significant milestone, with the completion and publication of the 2024-2026 Medium Term Debt Strategy (MTDS). This report is the first of its kind for the Territory and building on the 2023 base year, it demonstrates Government's commitment to long-term territorial development planning.A MTDS presents a debt management strategy with a medium-term focus that would guide the government’s borrowing policies and debt management operations to achieve its debt...

Premier of the Virgin Islands, Honourable Dr. Natalio D. Wheatley will be absent from the Territory from Sunday, May 26 to Thursday, May 30, for the purpose of attending the fourth International Conference on Small Island Developing States (SIDS) in Antigua and Barbuda.The theme being observed this year is “Charting the Course Toward Resilient Prosperity”.The objective of this conference is to review SIDS’ sustainable development progress and propose a new decade of partnership...

The British Virgin Islands (BVI) Asia Trade Mission, led by Deputy Premier and Minister for Financial Services, Honorable Lorna Smith, OBE, has successfully completed its first leg in Hong Kong, engaging in a series of meetings and events this week. The delegation included representatives from ten firms that sponsored and participated in the Trade Mission, showcasing the collaborative spirit of the BVI's public and private sectors.In Hong Kong, Deputy Premier Smith held significant meetings ...

The Environmental Health Division is urging residents to take immediate action to reduce mosquito breeding sites following heavy rainfall.Deputy Chief Environmental Health Officer, Ms. Henrietta Alexander said the accumulation of standing water poses a significant risk for increased mosquito activity, which can lead to the spread of mosquito-borne diseases such as Dengue Fever and Chikungunya.Ms. Alexander said, “The recent rains have created numerous potential breeding grounds for mosquit...

We remember the Roman Empire as being way ahead of its time in engineering feats. The water delivery and disposal systems are still a wonder of the world although that empire fell in 476 AD. How did they do it? Of course, it helped to have been a world ruling power.  Money, taxes, expertise, flowed into pagan Rome from all corners, all dominions and the empire invested. Papal Rome did not miss a beat.  Its money flowed in on highways of blood, fear and int...

We remember the Roman Empire as being way ahead of its time in engineering feats. The water delivery and disposal systems are still a wonder of the world although that empire fell in 476 AD. How did they do it? Of course, it helped to have been a world ruling power.  Money, taxes, expertise, flowed into pagan Rome from all corners, all dominions and the empire invested. Papal Rome did not miss a beat.  Its money flowed in on highways of blood, fear and int...

Information reaching our newsroom indicates that the Honourable Premier is attempting to request a further extension on the COI Recommendations Implementation. We understand that the requested time being sought, is August 2024. Yesterday Thursday 23 May, the Premier along with his Acting Director of Communications Karia Christopher, attempted to, in a preplanned and what appeared to be a pre rehearsed interview, quell discomfort around the upcoming end of May deadline for the completion of ...

On Friday evening 17 May, police confirmed a report of an unresponsive male on Virgin Gorda. “RVIPF can confirm a report received, after 7 pm this evening, of an unresponsive male  in The Valley, Virgin Gorda.Officers responded and conducted investigations. The male was pronounced dead at the scene. Investigation is ongoing.”Our media house can now confirm the deceased male to be former Public Officer and Economist Everett O’Neal. We understand that he has been sick f...

It is that time of the year, once again, when families gather in support of their loved ones to witness a transition, a rite of passage.Graduation fever is on.  The excitement in the air is palpable and children (they are no longer that) and their parents are proud to mark such a significant milestone.  This year, those gatherings are marred by two wars: one between Israel and Palestine and the other in Ukraine with Russia.As humans we have not learned to live in harmony and year by ye...

The RVIPF are confirming reports received, after 7 pm this evening, Friday May 17, of an unresponsive male  in The Valley, Virgin Gorda.Officers responded and conducted investigations. The male was pronounced dead at the scene. Investigations are ongoing.Our news room has been made aware of the identity, but will respect the family at this time. We extend condolences to the family of the deceased.   

The RVIPF have confirmed the arrest of Claude Skelton-Cline, a former Government Consultant. He was arrested today Friday May 17th and charged with a number of crimes. The crimes are reported to be in relation to an ongoing criminal investigation into Government contracts awarded from 2008 to 2010.Claude Skelton Cline, 58, of Ballast Bay was charged with two counts of obtaining property by deception, four counts of false accounting and one count of proceeds of crime. He has been granted bai...

There has been a double murder in the Territory overnight. The RVIPF have confirmed a shooting incident in the Huntums Ghut area after 1 am this morning Friday, May 17th.Two males have been confirmed dead as a result of the shooting. Identities have not been released.Details surrounding the incident are unclear at this time. This brings the number of murders in the Territory to three (3) for 2024.  Prominent local Attorney Jamal Smith was murdered in his home in early March. Guava...

Officers of the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force responded to a report of a stabbing at His Majesty’s Prison on Sunday, May 12 after 4 pm. Following theincident, one inmate who our media house understands to be Shakeel Ryan, was transported to Dr. Orlando Smith Hospital for medical treatment whilst two inmates were removed from the prison for questioning.Police later charged Andreas Norford who is presently serving 30 years for the murder of Cornel Melbourne Francis, and Essadro Jefferson...

Courtesy of a hard fought 3-2 victory over nearest rivals and titlecontenders, Islanders FC, Wolues FC have claimed their first ever National League Championship reaching an unassailableforty-five points with one game remaining, four points clear at the top of the standings.The Islanders had to win the game to stand a chance of their ninth title and must have feared the worst when they fell into a two-goalhole, thanks to a goal direct from a corner by Phil Nelson and a strike from Kieran Brown.H...