Following a meeting of the European Union’s (EU’s) Economic and Financial Affairs Council (ECOFIN) today (17 October 2023), the British Virgin Islands (BVI) has been removed from the EU list of non-cooperative tax jurisdictions (Annex I).In a statement, the EU Council noted that the “British Virgin Islands  was removed from the list as it has amended its framework on exchange of information on request (criterion 1.2) and will be reassessed in accordance with the OECD ...

She sleeps the sleep of the just!And nothing, and no one, can wake her from that slumber unless, of course, if it is true that: “…the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise…….First.”At least, that was her lifelong belief.When they returned to the BVI after studying in Canada, Jennie Wheatley and her husband, Charles, were a dynamic duo.  Her dream...

A donation receptacle has been set up inside the One Stop Mall for donations toward former disgraced Premier Andrew Fahie. Our newsroom has received evidence over the past couple months of the former Premier’s alleged requests for financial support from residents in the Territory, now an official receptacle has been set up. While in the seat of Premier, Andrew Fahie and his Government passed what was eventually dubbed the ‘Greedy Bill’. The Bill provided for large pay...

An incident involving students that turned into utter mayhem in and around the ESHS  campus yesterday 9th October, has left students, parents and residents confused based on responses by the management and Ministry responsible for the school. What the Ministry of Education Is Reporting:Incident Overview: On the mentioned date, an incident occurred on the campus that involved an alleged retaliation in connection with a stolen bike. During the altercation, one student left the campus pre...

There have been a lot of conversations over the past year about self-determination and I have come to realize in a conversation last week on Umoja that we do not all have the same basic understanding of what it is, and that it is not a new conversation but an ongoing one since 1950. I was amazed when I did my research paper on the Political Development of the Virgin Islands for my Virgin Islands History course at HLSCC in 2015 and learnt how much I did not know about my own history but...

Officers of the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force responded to reports of gunfire in the Crabbe Lot area on October 3 after 9 pm. Preliminary investigations unveiled that a male individual had discharged a firearm with the intent to harm another.Kyle Baronville, a 34-year-old resident of Carrot Bay, was promptly apprehended and subsequently charged with multiple offenses related to this incident, which include Carrying an Unlicensed Firearm, Possession of a Firearm with the Intent to Endanger Li...

Following Friday’s drug bust in the Road Reef area, and further operations on the same day in relation to the bust, police have seized two assault rifles, and a significant amount of assorted ammunition, and cocaine. Four men were also arrested and later charged in relation to the recovered items.Detectives have charged 27-year-old Omari Roberts of Hannah's Estate with two counts of Keeping a Prohibited Firearm without a Licence and three counts of Unlawful Possession of Explosive...

Earlier today, officers of the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force responded to a report of a submerged vehicle in the Waterfront area, close to Queen Elizabeth II Park. Upon their arrival, they discovered a white Kia Soul fully submerged in the water. The public, showing remarkable solidarity, immediately assisted both the police and fire officers at the scene. After a period of effort, they noticed an unresponsive male inside the vehicle.The lone male occupant was later recovered from the vehicl...

Rains reminiscent of the August 2017 deluge took place on Tuesday this week.  Tropical Storm Philippe was slowly passing by and wanted to remind us of our powerlessness in the face of nature out of control.The way water, finding its level, took over public roadways, moved debris and damaged vehicles, tells us that we still do not understand how to build proper roads with adequate drainage.Of course, when we try to engage the experts, loud voices advocate for ‘home grown’ wi...

Ministry of Education has cleared the Ivan Dawson Primary School for return to classes today Friday 6 October. However, word to our newsroom confirms Parents have pushed back due to major concerns post Tropical Storm Phillipe and will not send their children back until certain requirements are met. Most alarming is that our newsroom understands the school was flooded with sewerage filled water and must be completely cleaned before parents return their children to the environment. Areas...

Former Educator, cultural & historical Icon Jennie Wheatley passed away Thursday night 5 October. She was 84. Jennie Wheatley was a long-standing member of the Virgin Island’s intellectual community, and has worked to preserve and share the islands' history and culture for numerous years. She was also an Educator, primary and secondary school, and later moving on to the HLS Community College. She also served on the college's Board of Governors from its founding in 1990 and...

As you no doubt will have observed, the winds and rain from Tropical Storm Philippe’s passage have reduced significantly. I can also report that in those areas where flood waters were observed last night and this morning, the waters have drained.As of 1:00 p.m., I am issuing an all-clear for the Territory. However, caution is still required. Rock falls, ponding, and other issues may still pose a threat to motorists, so all who choose to drive today must be extremely careful.Many thanks to ...

Mr. Kurt Menal, Managing Director of the BVI Airports Authority is informing the travelling public of the closure of the Territory’s Airports due to the effects of Tropical Storm Phillipe, and the Virgin Islands being under a Flash Flood Warning.Mr. Menal advised that once the “all clear” is given by the Department of Disaster Management, an assessment of each airport will be conducted, and a further press release issued to announce the reopening of airports.Passengers with con...

The public is notified that due to the continued effects of Tropical Storm Phillipe, all Government offices are closed today, October 4, 2023.The Virgin Islands is under a flash-flood warning. As Tropical Storm Phillipe continues to affect the Territory, thunderstorms, flash flooding and strong winds are expected throughout the day.Following an assessment of the state of Government offices, further notice will be issued regarding reopening. 

The public is advised that the Virgin Islands has been placed under a flash flood warning. A flash flood warning means that moderate to major flooding is occurring or imminent in the warning area. Rainfall amounts of 3-4 inches were recorded overnight, and thunderstorms are expected to continue throughout the day.Flash flooding is potentially dangerous, especially on hilly terrain. Persons should stay home today unless it is an emergency. Virgin Islands public schools are closed for today. ...

Former USVI Senator and political powerhouse & giant, Alicia Chucky Hansen, has died. She was 70. On or about September 17, Senator Hansen was hospitalized, but no update given as to the circumstances surrounding her hospitalization.Senator Alicia ‘Chucky’ Hansen was one of the USVI’s longest sitting Senators, and holds the record for the most votes in a senatorial election in the district of St. Croix. She was a voice for the voiceless and one that yielded lastin...

Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley is said to be the emerging favourite among names such as former Colombian president Juan Manuel Santos, Nobel Peace Prize laureate; Argentinian diplomat Rafael Grossi; Alicia Bárcena, Mexico's foreign affairs secretary; Rebeca Grynspan, a high-level UN official; and Maria Fernanda Espinosa Garcés, a former president of the United Nations General Assembly to take the seat as next UN Secretary General. It is Mottley's name that resonates wi...

We laughed when we heard that water was to be bottled and sold.  And we wondered who would be so foolish as to buy a commodity that was so readily available to all.In those days BVI had a rainy season and a dry season and when it rained, it rained.  And we had fresh spring water from community wells for household and gardening use.The 55-gallon drum was our water storage facility.  Those drums reserved for potable water were usually covered by ‘cheese cloth’ ...

Mrs. Helen Seymour has been appointed a member of the Public Service Commission (PSC), effective September 14.Mrs. Seymour took an Oath of Secrecy before His Excellency, the Governor Mr. John J. Rankin, CMG, confirming her appointment in accordance with Section 91 (1) (d) of the Virgin Islands Constitution Order, 2007.Mrs. Seymour who is now retired has an extensive history as a public officer, having served as the Acting Deputy Secretary in the Office of the Deputy Governor for a number of year...

Director at the Public Works Department, Mr. Jeremy Hodge, has announced that the department’s Asphalt Plant has been officially commissioned.Mr. Hodge said the plant was successfully handed over to the department from the machine industry company Ammann and is now fully operational.The Director stated that the commissioning of the plant is a significant milestone as it signals a major step forward in the ability to meet the Territory’s asphalt road needs.Mr. Hodge added, “Furt...