The rains are worrisome.  They are striking at the wealth of the (nation).It takes a lifetime to acquire wealth, most of which is invested in homes/property.  And in a matter of hours, if not minutes, it could all be gone.After hurricanes Irma and Maria, when many of our elderly beheld the damages to their properties with no means for repair, they took the low road and checked out of the game of life.  But even more important than the individual circumstance is the state.&nbs...

Under what appears to be the dark and cover of night, the Premier has cut his trip short, and returned to the island our sources are confirming. The Premier was due to return to the Territory on or around 12 June. Our sources are confirming that the Premier was ordered back to the Territory as ‘things aren’t well’, and he is needed on the ground. Also confirmed is that a UK Official was on the ground and unable to meet with the Premier due to him being out of the Territory...

In what seems to be exclusive comments, prominent New York City psychiatrist and Virgin Islands Belonger Henry Jarecki has moved to refute claims laid out in a lawsuit filed this week in New York by “Jane Doe 11”. The explosive sex trafficking lawsuit was brought by an anonymous Jeffrey Epstein accuser, stating Jarecki raped her after Epstein sent her to his office for complaints of depression. However, Jarecki is pushing back – denying the allegations as made up...

The 91-year-old doctor and business tycoon appears in Epstein’s notorious ‘little black book,’ but the extent of their connection has long been unclear.

Shortly after midnight on June 1, 2024, officers from the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force responded to a report of a disturbance involving the use of a machete in Long Bush, outside Edge Nightclub.Initial investigations revealed that an altercation occurred between two males, during which one male, armed with a machete, injured the other.Shavoy Dasent, 23, of Josiah’s Bay, has been charged with Causing Grievous Bodily Harm with Intent and Armed with an Offensive Weapon. He remains in cus...

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...