Four CARICOM member states — The Bahamas, Belize, Haiti, and Jamaica — have been named among the world’s major drug transit or illicit drug-producing countries by United States President Donald Trump. The designation came in Trump’s “Determination on Major Drug Transit or Major Illicit Drug Producing Countries for Fiscal Year 2026” submitted to the United … Continued
The Department of Immigration has announced that a new immigration fee structure will take effect on October 1, 2025, in line with the Immigration and Passport (Amendment) Regulations, 2025, which were dated June 30, 2025. According to the Department, all immigration-related applications submitted on or after October 1 will be processed under the revised fees. … Continued
An investigation is underway into the death of a prisoner at Balsam Ghut. Reports say James Gordon also known as Jimmy, said to be in his late 60’s was on remand for assault charges, and he was found dead in his cell Tuesday. The circumstances surrounding his death are not known at this time. Meanwhile … Continued
Members of the House of Assembly (HOA) more than doubled most of their salaries, by up to 145%, in an undisclosed informal vote days before the passage of the 2024 budget, according to a damning report from the Auditor General that also explored a $20 million shortfall in funding for public service salary increases. The … Continued
A major upheaval at the top levels of the British government has resulted in a new Foreign Secretary with direct portfolio responsibilities for the British Virgin Islands and the other UK Overseas Territories (OTs). Yvette Cooper, who was the Home Secretary, has replaced David Lammy, who has been appointed Deputy Prime Minister and Justice Secretary. … Continued
Junior Minister for Financial Services Lorna Smith says the BVI has lost one of its greatest men of all times. Minister Smith spoke about the youthful days with Dr. Robert Mathavious growing up in Huntums Ghut together and the latter years becoming her counsellor. She stated that without a doubt Mathavious was the architect of … Continued
Talk Show Host Claude Skelton Cline does not believe expatriates and belongers have any business in determining the way forward for the territory. Skelton Cline during his radio programme ‘Honestly Speaking’ was discussing the issue of self-determination and having the people vote in a referendum. Skelton Cline says if persons are not Virgin Islanders by blood … Continued
With the 2025/2026 Academic School year underway, Education Minister Shari De Castro says the Ministry has ‘a robust support mechanism in place to help students who exhibit behavioral problems. Minister De Castro said on Virgin Islands Voice’, last week that the Ministry still has a zero-tolerance approach to serious mis-behavior on school campuses. However, she … Continued
As the territory continues to mourn the passing of Financial Services Guru Dr. Robert Mathavious, Premier Dr. Natalio Wheatley has described him as a Nation Builder and Trailblazer. The Premier credits him with being one of the major forces behind the success of the territory’s Financial Services industry. The Premier stated he was happy Dr. … Continued
A Caribbean Investigative Journalism Network (CIJN) team, led by Virgin Islands based editor Freeman Rogers, has won the 2025 Inter American Press Association (IAPA) Excellence in Journalism Award in the Migration Journalism “Claudio Paolillo” category with “Tricked into Sex Slavery: Global Crackdown hasn’t Stopped Caribbean Traffickers.” The IAPA Awards Committee described the report on the … Continued
