His Majesty’s Customs honoured the achievements of its K9 Unit and its handlers at a graduation ceremony earlier this week.The handlers honoured for their dedication and success were Olympia Maduro-Fahie, B'Jorn Caleb, and Shavique Barzey. The K9s acknowledged during the ceremony included Gunner, who has been recertified to continue his valuable service, as well as the newly trained Ace and Duece.Acting Commissioner Mr. Greg Romney said the ceremony held September 11 underscored a pivotal miles...

Information reaching our newsroom indicates the deplorable conditions of the newly commissioned Government asphalt plant. The plant was handed over in September 2023, just about one year ago, however, it’s been none operational for almost 6 months. At the time of the hand over, Director for the Public Works Department Jeremy Hodge stated…“We are now better equipped to build a road infrastructure that we can truly be proud of. Our commitment to addressing all the roads in the Territory in a ho...

Minister for Education, Youth Affairs and Sports Honourable Sharie de Castro will attend the 9th OECS Council of Ministers of Education meetings in St. Kitts from Tuesday, September 10 to Saturday, September 14.Junior Minister of Culture and Tourism Honourable Luce Hodge Smith will be appointed to act as Minister for Education, Youth Affairs and Sports from September 10 to September 14 while Minister de Castro is away from the Virgin Islands. The minister is scheduled to return to the Territory ...

Governor, Mr. David Archer, Jr. is acting in the Office of Governor until September 22, in the absence of His Excellency, the Governor Mr. Daniel Pruce, who is out of the Territory.Mr. Archer’s appointment is in accordance with section 37 (1) (a) of the Virgin Islands Constitution Order, 2007 which states, “During any period when the office of Governor is vacant, or the Governor is absent from the Virgin Islands or is for any other reason unable to perform the functions of his or her office, t...

Thirty-Six (36) individuals are now registered as British Citizens after having been previously Naturalised as British Overseas Territories Citizens.At a ceremony held at the Government House on Tuesday, August 27, 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, Mr. Daniel Pruce and Registrar General, Mrs. Tashi O’Flaherty-Maduro....

The Governor’s Office is delighted to announce that it is now accepting applications for the Future Fund, which is designed support projects in the Virgin Islands that promote youth empowerment and good governance. The Governor’s Office welcomes applications from organisations, or partnerships across organisations, for projects up to the value of $10,000. The Future Fund has been established with support from the UK government and totals $50,000.  Youth Empowerment This grant  programme is for...

“All the world’s a stage,And all the men and women merely players;They have their exits and their entrances;And one (wo)man in (her) his time plays many parts,” (Shakespeare: As you like it.)On Wednesday 28th August, the curtains came down on the final act from Mrs Rita Frett-Georges MBE.  She was one of the old guards; A Virgin Islander who did her part in the building of the Territory; Another giant upon whose shoulders we stand.She left with the recognition that a lot of work was done over...

The 2024 Preliminary Voters List for the Virgin Islands is now available for review, in accordance with Section 18 (6) of the Elections Act 1994 and Amendments.The Preliminary List features a total of 16,106 Registered Voters across the Territory’s Nine Electoral Districts.Supervisor of Elections, Ms. Scherrie Griffin highlighted the importance of members of the public reviewing the list to ensure their information is correctly listed.Ms. Griffin said, “The publication of the Preliminary Voter...

The 2024 Preliminary Voters List for the Virgin Islands is now available for review, in accordance with Section 18 (6) of the Elections Act 1994 and Amendments.The Preliminary List features a total of 16,106 Registered Voters across the Territory’s Nine Electoral Districts.Supervisor of Elections, Ms. Scherrie Griffin highlighted the importance of members of the public reviewing the list to ensure their information is correctly listed.Ms. Griffin said, “The publication of the Preliminary Voter...

The 2024 Preliminary Voters List for the Virgin Islands is now available for review, in accordance with Section 18 (6) of the Elections Act 1994 and Amendments.The Preliminary List features a total of 16,106 Registered Voters across the Territory’s Nine Electoral Districts.Supervisor of Elections, Ms. Scherrie Griffin highlighted the importance of members of the public reviewing the list to ensure their information is correctly listed.Ms. Griffin said, “The publication of the Preliminary Voter...

Eighty (80) Public Officers from various offices have completed a Customer Service Training Course facilitated by the Virgin Islands Public Service Learning Institute (VIPSLI)The training offered a detailed learning opportunity for public officers who work in front-facing roles. Topics covered included, Building Customer Relationships, Service Standards and Behaviors, and Handling Difficult Customers.Director of Customer Service and facilator Ms. Kedimone Rubaine said, “As we continue to focus ...

After 10 PM on Thursday, September 5, a distress call was made by a male to 911 from a vessel traveling from Jost Van Dyke that encountered trouble and had begun taking on water.In response to the call, Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) Marine officers and Virgin Islands Search and Rescue (VISAR) immediately launched a coordinated search operation in the area. During the search, the partially submerged vessel and, tragically, the body of a young woman was found. Despite extensive efforts...

This past weekend, the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) conducted a series of operations resulting in significant seizures and the arrest of an individual in possession of a prohibited firearm and drugs. The operations were part of the ongoing effort to enhance public safety and curb illegal activities within the community.Firearm Seizure and ArrestOn Friday, August 31, officers of the Virgin Gorda Police Station responded to a report concerning a possible firearm possession at a local ...

The Government of the Virgin Islands, through the Ministry of Financial Services, Labour and Trade, has opened applications for the Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSME) Grant Programme.The initiative aims to support business development and economic growth within the Territory.The first round of grants is now open for applications and will end on September 30.Application forms are available on the Government’s website (www.gov.vg). Eligible businesses interested in applying should comple...

Minister of Health and Social Development the Honourable Vincent Wheatley has extended condolences to the family of Mrs. Rita Frett-Georges, MBE on her passing.Honourable Vincent Wheatley said his ministry is grateful for Mrs. Frett-Georges’ contribution to the health sector.“Mrs. Georges provided invaluable contributions to the Virgin Islands and has left an indelible mark in the field of nursing, mental health, and healthcare.  For this, we are grateful.  We offer her surviving family our si...

Our newsroom is overwhelmed with calls from irate and heartbroken community members of Virgin Gorda.  Reports are of a death in the Virgin Gorda community last night, Friday August 30th of one of their beloved residents. Our newsroom is understanding that the gentleman went to the clinic last night for care, but the Doctor was not there, the Clinic was closed. The gentleman we are being informed, subsequently passed away. Members of the community are outraged over the incident. “What can we say...

The shoe fell on Monday.  It was the day a number of groups and individuals in the Territory had the opportunity to appear before the famed UN Committee of 24 to give views and opinions about self-determination.  A similar parade was held on Tuesday.The Diplomat, of course, owned the moment for he does considerable and good work with the committee to ensure that the BVIs story as a non-self-governing Territory gets heard.BVI is one of 17 such territories in the world and the Diplomat, well suppo...

Our newsroom has been duly informed of yet another air chase in action in the East area. We understand that a law enforcement helicopter is in full pursuit of a go fast boat. We will update you as further info becomes available. 

Dame Janice Pereira DBE, retired Chief Justice of the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court has been appointed by His Majesty King Charles III to His Majesty's Most Honourable Privy Council. She is the first Virgin Islander to sit on the Privy Council.Dame Janice M. Pereira, DBE, LLD was sworn in as the first female Chief Justice of the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court on 24th October, 2012.  She joined the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court as a High Court Judge in 2003 and later was elevated to the posi...

Premier Wheatley continues to express optimism, but has also acknowledged the possibility that the BVI may only meet some aspects of the deadline.