The laboratory at the Dr. D Orlando Smith Hospital is expected to undergo a survey process for an ISO 15189 certification this week, which will make it the first of the UK Overseas Territories to receive such certification. The confirmation came from the Acting Chief Executive Officer of the BVI Health Services Authority (BVIHSA) Dr. … Continued
One man has been left wounded following a shooting in the area of Harrigan Estate, Tortola this afternoon. This was confirmed by the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force in a media statement on Wednesday, May 31, which said the injuries sustained to the male “appear not to be life threatening.” The police did not reveal … Continued
Former Speaker of the House of Assembly Julian Willock has said that in retrospect the decisions he made during his tenure which were termed by many as controversial helped to establish new precedents. Willock at the time was speaking as a guest on the local show Talking Points where he admitted that he has no … Continued
Officers from the Department of Disaster Management (DDM) were joined by colleagues in the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries to carry out sampling and analysis on Virgin Gorda and Jost Van Dyke as part of the ongoing Virgin Islands Comprehensive Soils Study. The team collected soil samples and tested the water permeability at three locations … Continued
Residents of the Virgin Islands are reminded of the dangers of smoking as the Territory observes World Tobacco Day 2023. Public Health Officer in the Ministry of Health and Social Development Ms. Renee Leonard said that smoking is one of the major risk factors for the development of chronic non-communicable diseases. “Among the greatest concerns … Continued
All attention will be shifted to the Terrance B Lettsome International Airport on Thursday in anticipation of the arrival of the first of two American Airlines flights scheduled for the territory. The historic occasion will see the first flight arriving at the Beef Island airport just after 1:00 p.m. following the departure of the flight … Continued
33-year-old Selroy Hanley has been charged with the murder of Trevon Elliot a native of St. Kitts and Nevis who was stabbed in 2022 and succumbed in March 2023. The new charge was presented during Hanley’s virtual appearance in the Magistrates Court before Senior Magistrate Tamia Richards on Tuesday, May 30. He was not required … Continued
A second co-defendant has filed for a change in plea hearing, a development that could leave former Premier Andrew Fahie as the last one fighting against the charges laid in an ongoing drug trafficking and money laundering case. Reports are that on Monday, May 29, former BVI Ports Authority Managing Director Oleavine Maynard filed with … Continued
This year HireBVI will host its annual career exposition on Friday, June 2nd, 10am to 2pm at the Multipurpose Sports Complex. The career exposition, under the theme, “Show me the Way: A Roadmap to Employment” will expose participants to careers, job opportunities, and educational options in the British Virgin Islands. Rekeema Turnbull-Caines, Managing Director stated that, “HireBVI hosted a Facebook … Continued
A teenage girl in Guyana has been slapped with 19 counts of murder after reportedly admitting to starting a fire which killed 18 of her schoolmates and a 5-year-old boy last week. The young girl, reportedly 15 years old, faced a magistrate virtually on Monday and was remanded into custody pending further proceedings. She was … Continued
Green VI, a leading environmental organization committed to promoting BVI sustainability through environmental best practices, is pleased to announce the appointment of two distinguished individuals, Sharon Flax Brutus and Edward Childs, to its Board of Directors. Sharon Flax Brutus brings a wealth of experience and expertise to Green VI’s Board. With an impressive background in … Continued
The Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) will observe its 42nd Anniversary on June 18, 2023, under the theme ‘Vision. Integration. Sustainability. Progress.’ In commemoration of this milestone, the OECS Commission will celebrate with a calendar of activities throughout the month of June. The 42nd Anniversary Celebrations will highlight the achievements, progress and aspirations of … Continued
Three contracts were signed for the construction of social homes on the sister islands as part of the Housing Recovery Assistance Programme. Minister for Health and Social Development, Honourable Vincent Wheatley said he was happy to see the resumption of social homes. The Minister noted the program had stopped for a while, but he is … Continued
Members of the community are advised that Phase 1 of the Long Bay, Beef Island Beach Management Plan is nearing completion. Phase 1 includes the construction of public and taxi parking lots, and a beach dune protection barrier to protect the eastern sand dune from vehicular traffic while also facilitating its restoration. The Permanent … Continued
FirstCaribbean International Bank Limited (“FirstCaribbean”) and Grenada Co-operative Bank Limited announced today that the sale of FirstCaribbean’s business in Grenada to Grenada Co-operative Bank Limited has received approval from the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank. The banks further announced that the process of transferring FirstCaribbean’s clients to Grenada Co-Operative Bank Limited is expected to be completed … Continued
Africa’s largest private carrier, Air Peace has become the majority shareholder in regional airline company LIAT 2020, after purchasing 70 percent of its shares. This was confirmed by Antigua and Barbuda’s Prime Minister Gaston Browne who said that LIAT will operate on a viable commercial basis following the agreement with the Nigerian-based company. “So what … Continued
Virgin Islander Alliyah Boston who recently created history after being selected as the number one pick in the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) draft, has signed a multi-year contract with global sportswear brand Adidas. The deal for the United States Virgin Islands native who originates from St. Thomas is a footwear and apparel endorsement which … Continued
The Cable and Wireless Charitable Foundation (CWCF) is celebrating five years of partnership with local, regional, and international agencies and a total of $3.5 million in donations providing digital access and supporting relief and recovery initiatives throughout the Caribbean, with the release of its 2022 Annual Report. Commenting on the milestone, Inge Smidts, Chair of … Continued
United Kingdom (UK) members of Parliament are urging the UK Government to do more for Overseas Territories to assist them in their development plans especially those within the tourism industry. Member of Parliament (MP) Alicia Kearns made the plea during a recent debate in the House of Commons as members discussed a motion entitled “Future of … Continued
Conservative United Kingdom Member of Parliament (MP) Alicia Kearns is calling on all Overseas Territories to fully support the LGBTQ+ community and to move in the direction of legalising same-sex marriage. MP Kearns was speaking in the House of Commons during a debate entitled “Future of Overseas Territories” at the time of making the appeal … Continued
Members of Parliament in the United Kingdom (UK) Government have taken the stern position that Overseas Territories (OTs) should be at the helm of the decision-making process when it comes to deciding on self-determination. The views were shared during a debate in the House of Commons on Thursday, May 11, as members discussed a motion … Continued
Today, on March 22nd, the world celebrates World Water Day, a day dedicated to raising awareness of the importance of freshwater and advocating for sustainable management of water resources. World Water Day 2023 is about “accelerating change to solve the water and sanitation crisis.” In a statement on the observation the United Nations said, “Dysfunction … Continued
Premier Dr. the Hon. Natalio Wheatley has revealed that discussions relating to the removal of the Order in Council which remains intact over the territory, did not occur during the recently concluded Joint Ministerial Council meetings in London. Premier Wheatley explained why the matter was not brought to the forefront of discussions. He said the … Continued
The United Kingdom (UK) and the Overseas Territories (OTs) are set to establish a technical working group on beneficial ownership transparency. The announcement came from Deputy Premier and Minister for Financial Services Hon. Lorna Smith during a recent press conference, where she explained that the decision was made following discussions at the recently concluded Joint … Continued
The British Virgin Islands is set to host the first annual meeting on illicit finance which will include representatives from both the United Kingdom and Overseas Territories (OTs). This was confirmed by the Deputy Premier and Minister for Financial Services Hon. Lorna Smith during a press conference on Tuesday. She revealed that the agreement to … Continued
Deputy Premier and Minister for Labour and Trade Hon. Lorna Smith OBE has promised residents that the long wait times for work permit approvals will become a thing of the past under her leadership. Smith made the comment in response to a question posed by the media at a press conference on Tuesday where she … Continued
Local sprinter Beyoncé Defreitas set a new national record in the Women’s 200-Meter event at the American Athletic Conference Outdoor Track & Field Championships which was held in Tampa, Florida over the weekend. Running out of lane seven for the University of Central Florida, Defreitas missed out on a podium spot with a fourth-place finish, … Continued
The name D’Moi Hodge is already ringing amongst various basketball pundits in the United States ahead of the highly anticipated 2023 NBA Draft which is scheduled for June 22nd. The BVI national took to his social media pages in early April to announce his entry into this year’s draft after concluding a relatively good season … Continued
Local sports journalist and former national athlete Dean “The Sportsman” Greenaway has once again created history for the BVI after becoming the first athlete from the territory to be inducted into the Pasadena City College (PCC) Hall of Fame. Greenaway was inducted along with his 1978 track and field team for their achievements back in … Continued
Tourist Board Pillars and TCP Sandflies opened the 2023 Terrance “Chino” Chinnery Industrial Softball League with victories. Playing game 1 against Republic Bank Blue Thunders on Wednesday, May 10, the Tourist Board Pillars eased to victory, earning 12 runs to Republic’s 0. For the Tourist Board, Selwyn Dawson went 2 from 3 with a homerun, … Continued
P3, Paper Plastic Products Inc., a 100% Virgin Islands-owned company, Receives Acknowledgment in Florida Business Magazine for Exemplary Business Activity and Commitment to Excellence. Paper Plastic Products Inc is proud to announce that it has been recently featured in a Florida business magazine for its exceptional business activity and drive for greatness. The company’s dedication … Continued
FirstCaribbean International Bank Limited (“FirstCaribbean”) and Grenada Co-operative Bank Limited announced today that the sale of FirstCaribbean’s business in Grenada to Grenada Co-operative Bank Limited has received approval from the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank. The banks further announced that the process of transferring FirstCaribbean’s clients to Grenada Co-Operative Bank Limited is expected to be completed … Continued
Last Wednesday, Loose Mongoose had the opportunity to showcase some of the newest flavours to its establishment with an intimate wine & tapas pairing amongst a few friends and patrons. Their Newest Chefs in the kitchen, Chef Imran Ashton and Gerardo Villavicencio, did a fantastic job fusing their Caribbean and Mexican cooking styles to bring … Continued
MONEY MATTERS BVI (MMBVI), the financial literacy education program at the BVI Financial Services Commission (“the Commission”), will again take the lead in the British Virgin Islands’ celebration of GLOBAL MONEY WEEK 2023. GLOBAL MONEY WEEK (GMW), which is organised by the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development, International Network on Financial Education (OECD/INFE), is … Continued
Summer Sizzle BVI, the Caribbean’s premiere summer event is an eclectic fusion of Fashion, Art, Music, and Culture scheduled for July 26 – 31, 2023 in the British Virgin Islands. The event in its 13th year is a spectacular fashion and lifestyle destination event with a schedule designed to showcase BVI culture, diversity, local and … Continued
Reynold ‘King Paido’ Philips received his 12th calypso title in the BVI after winning the Dawn Flax Easter Festiville 2023 Calypso Monarch on Sunday. King Paido received a total of 313 points to claim his 7th title on Virgin Gorda to add to his previous 5 on Tortola. The calypso king performed his two songs; One Consequence (the … Continued
The Royal Virgin Islands Police Force is mixing it up in observance of Family Friday and hitting the runway at UMI’s special Family Friday’s Edition. Officers of the Force and members of the public will strut their stuff coupled with family members to model the latest wear at UMI’s Flagship Store on Friday, March 3 … Continued
Summer Sizzle BVI says they have created a winning platform for BVI models and other fashion industry creatives by providing unparalleled professional training and mentorship from globally renowned fashion designers, top models, celebrity makeup artists, hairstylists and photographers. They are celebrating and championing the successes of fashion professionals who gained their start on the Summer … Continued
In part 1 of this commentary, I started sharing my thoughts on the Constitutional Review and why this exercise is laying the foundation for the best days of these Islands we call home. The more research I conduct on this topic I realise more that the system we have is not truly a democratic system … Continued
The following is commentary by Shaina Smith-Archer. I am glad to be alive for such a time as this. When I read about our national heroes like Hope Stevens and Howard. R. Penn and how they wrote our future in their “day,” we are currently writing the Virgin Islands’ future for the next 50 years. … Continued
When we think about becoming, we are engaged in nature, the essence about being true to ourselves. We are looking to the future through self-actualization and aspirations for transformation. In this sense, every human being is a work in progress, a work on the potter’s wheel, a work under the direction of the human designer, … Continued
The following is commentary by Shaina Smith-Archer. Today I concluded that somewhere over the years we stopped engineering roads and settled for roadways that are cousins to obstacle courses. Potholes are the least of the problem which are a problem because the roads don’t have a concrete base. We are paving dirt. 🤨 Between the … Continued
The Vector Control Unit in the Environmental Health Division is visiting schools this week as part of Mosquito Awareness activities. Deputy Chief Environmental Health Officer Ms. Henrietta Alexander said officers from the division will be doing a hunt in the schools to teach the children how to search out and destroy mosquito breeding sites. Ms. … Continued
Director of the Central Statistics Office Mr. Raymond Phillips has indicated that preparations are underway to administer the Population and Housing Census from June 15. Mr. Phillips said after some unavoidable delays imposed by the onset of the COVID19 pandemic, the Central Statistics Office (CSO) will commence the 2023 Population and Housing Census in June … Continued
Minister for Education, Youth Affairs and Sports Honourable Sharie B. de Castro has said that day 2 of the Education World Forum has energised her delegation, and bolstered and widened their vision to re-imagine education in the Virgin Islands. Honourable de Castro is in the United Kingdom attending the Education World Forum 2023 in London, … Continued
Premier and Minister of Finance Dr. the Honourable Natalio Wheatley has said that it is necessary for the people of the Virgin Islands to reflect and express gratitude to God for His favour during this season. Premier Wheatley said that it is customary that following every General Elections, a Service of Thanksgiving is held to … Continued
