We were fortunate to miss Hurricane Lee’s calling card.  Her sheer size and the winds she packed were reminiscent of Hurricane Irma which, without effort, brought BVI to its knees.One minute, the Territory was existing proudly in the stratosphere and the next, she was laid low.  Perhaps only the fall from grace of the son of the morning was more dramatic and immediate.The world wanted to help.  We received significant pledges, most of which we ignored, some, we did not have ...

The British Virgin Islands Ports Authority (BVIPA) is pleased to announce the commencement of its Internship Program, a critical initiative aimed at providing students in the Territory with valuable real-world experience while preparing them for their future careers. Under the guidance of Mrs. Patricia Blaize-Adams, the HR Manager at the BVI Ports Authority, this programme signifies the organisation’s commitment to developing local expertise in various fields.Internship programs hold immen...

Minister for Communications and Works Honourable Kye Rymer was engaged in discussions on Tuesday, September 12, with members of Hertfordshire County Council, United Kingdom in the areas of road infrastructure development and fire and rescue services.Honourable Rymer said, “Discussions included bringing awareness to the importance of having a formalised road programme with long-term investment and commitment to ensure the development and maintenance of safe roads in the Territory.”The...

Minister for Education, Youth Affairs and Sports, Honourable Sharie B. de Castro is attending the 10th Commonwealth Youth Ministers Meeting (10CYMM) in London this week.The meeting is being convened by the Commonwealth Secretariat at Marlborough House in London, United Kingdom (UK), from September 11 to 15.Honourable de Castro said the meeting is being held at an important time when the Commonwealth Secretariat is celebrating 50 years of the Commonwealth Youth Programme.The Minister of Education...

Department of Waste Management is seeking the services of a company to collect recyclable materials that are plastic and aluminum on the island of Tortola.Contract requirements include the emptying of 40 community recycling bins in Tortola three days per week for a period of four months.Director, Mr. Marcus Solomon said the objective is to keep the bins clear and tidy to encourage public participation in the ‘We Recycle Programme’.The Scope of Works Include: • Clear plastic...

34 individuals are now registered as British Citizens after being previously naturalised as British Overseas Territories Citizens.During a ceremony held at Government House on Friday, September 8, the individuals recited the Oath of Allegiance to His Majesty the King, as well as the Pledge of Loyalty to the United Kingdom.The new citizens also received congratulatory remarks from His Excellency the Governor, John J. Rankin, CMG, and Registrar General, Mrs. Tashi O’Flaherty-Maduro.Governor ...

The Emmett Caines Knockout Cup will launch the 2023 / 24 football season, when Lion Heart FC take on Old Madrid FC this Saturday, September 16th with a 6pm kick off at the FA National Stadium venue in East End / Long Look.The late Emett Caines was a long-time player, manager, coach, and supporter of the game, starting out from 1975 and stretching to 1992, with plenty of involvement right up until his untimely passing. The competition is a fitting way to celebrate his love of the game.He played f...

HMS Dauntless is docked in Road Town at the Cyril B Romney Cruise Pier, and will be in the BVI’s waters this week as part of a routine visit. Whilst here, the crew will meet with members of the National Security Council, host a disaster exercise and conduct an on-water search and rescue exercise.HMS Dauntless is the Royal Navy’s most advanced destroyer. It has been deployed to the Caribbean to support British Overseas Territories during hurricane season and to counter drugs trafficki...

The Department of Waste Management has launched an information system to provide the Territory with up-to-date information regarding derelict vehicle removals.Director of Waste Management, Mr. Marcus Solomon said the Derelict Removal Information System is needed to ensure that persons can access information regarding their tagged vehicle whether it is located on private or public property.The system offers real time access to a list of vehicles pending removal, information about the vehicle&rsqu...

The Virgin Islands Recovery and Development Agency (RDA) is pleased to announce that Kinisha Forbes has been appointed as the new Director of Programme Strategy effective 12 September, 2023.In this role, Ms. Forbes will provide leadership and direction in the development of the Agency’s immediate and longer-term plans while managing the Programme Strategy Department.Ms. Forbes will support Chief Executive Officer, Anthony McMaster, in leading engagement and implementation of the provisions...

Deputy Premier and Minister for Financial Services, Labour, and Trade, Honourable Lorna G. Smith, OBE, has said the Territory will be hosting a high-level meeting aimed at combating global illicit financial flows this week.Honourable Smith, OBE in a statement in the House of Assembly on September 7 said senior officials from the Overseas Territories (OTs) and the United Kingdom (UK) will be meeting in the Virgin Islands from September 12 to 14 for a meeting on Illicit Finance. The meeting will b...

Based on an update received from the Ministry of Education, Youth Affairs and Sports, the Ministry appears to be distancing itself from the mayhem that ensued based on last minute changes to the traffic this morning, Monday September 11 made by the RVIPF. The update noted that “The Ministry of Education, Youth Affairs and Sports is informing the public that this morning, we became aware of an adjustment to traffic in the vicinity of the Elmore Stoutt High School that adversely impacte...

When he took the crying baby out of the pram, my mind flew back to a painting in Madrid’s Museo del Prado.Las Meninas by Diego Velázquez…There may be no lines of symmetry but there is illusion and an unspoken message.Las Meninas, for what it does not say, is, in modern times, one of the most studied and discussed paintings.And at the heart of the painting is a mystery that scholars are still seeking to unravel.…And then, with the baby on his shoulder, he rounded the co...

In a letter dated 7 September 2023, and signed by Acting Chief Education Officer Orlandette Crabbe, parents of the Joyce Samuel Primary School were advised that the reopening of the school will be pushed back by one week due to incomplete renovations work. The school is now expected to reopen on Tuesday 19 September. The information on the schools came to light during this week at the Continuation of the Second Sitting (5 September) and Third Sitting (7 September) of the First Session of th...

Police conducted a spontaneous operation in the East End area of Tortola on Wednesday 6 September. One Semi-Automatic Pistol and a significant amount of ammunition were recovered during the operation.One suspect has been arrested and taken into custody. The investigation is still active; therefore, no further information can be provided at this time.This is the second firearm recovered since the start of this week. On Sunday, September 3, the RVIPF recovered an AK-47 assault rifle and a signific...

Officers of the Criminal Investigations Department seized an AK-47 rifle and a quantity of ammunition on Sunday 3 September from a home in Free Bottom. One male was arrested and subsequently charged.Keron Hodge, 21, of Purcell Estate, was charged with one count of Possession of a Prohibited Weapon and two counts of Unlawful Possession of Explosives. He remains in custody until his appearance at the Magistrate’s Court.The RVIPF continues to do its part to reduce the number of illegal firear...

The British Virgin Islands Health Services Authority (BVIHSA) has noted a recent increase in the number of persons testing positive for COVID-19 at the Dr. D. Orlando Smith Hospital. The Organization believes that this increase in positive cases serves as a reminder that the Covid-19 virus persists, necessitating ongoing caution and proactive measures to ensure health and safety. As the Omicron variant and other strains of the virus continue to circulate, the BVIHSA urges persons to remain ...

Virgin Gorda Yacht Harbour (VGYH) is thrilled to announce, More For 2024, its official New Year’s Eve event.On December 31st, 2023, the grounds of VGYH will be transformed into a premier event space bringing the best of the BVI to Spanish Town, Virgin Gorda. The event will feature a wide selection of entertainment, a vibrant marketplace showcasing an array of local vendors offering delicious food, trendy apparel, and one-of-a-kind crafts and art pieces.”We are excited to host More Fo...

For September, the Virgin Islands' community joins the rest of the world in observing World Alzheimer's Month. The observation of World Alzheimer's Month is being spearheaded by Alzheimer's Disease International to raise awareness of dementia and to help address and eliminate the stigma associated with the disease. Dementia is a degenerative brain condition that robs a person of their memory, competency, comprehension and behavioural awareness, usually slowly, over years and Alzh...

Azim Yonnas, victim in last night’s shooting incident in Long Bush has succumbed to injuries sustained. He was 26 and a resident of Purcell Estate. Gunshots rang out late in the night. Yonnas was taken to the Dr D Orlando Smith Hospital with serious injuries but he later died. "Police can confirm a shooting last night in the Long Bush area. One male was injured and was taken to DOSH. More information will be provided as it becomes available," a RVIPF 4th September state...