The Ministry of Health and Social Development is closely monitoring the seasonal increase in respiratory infections and is encouraging the community to take protective measures to reduce its exposure to infections.National Epidemiologist, Ms. Harmony Brewley-Massiah said according to the ministry’s statistics, the seasonal increases in respiratory infections spread across all age groups, with young children slightly more affected.Ms. Brewley-Massiah stated that a respiratory infection affects t...

On Saturday 8 June, a forwarded message went viral. The contents of the message referred to a home on Slaney that was burglarised on more than one occasions. The resident indicated that on Wednesday 5 June, two men went to her home (on Slaney), beat up her cleaner, demanded money, threatened to rape the cleaner and then ransacked the home, and took more jewelry. This was apparently the second attack on her home in a matter of a few weeks. In the first incident, jewelry was also taken. Detectives...

TWO MALE REPEAT OFFENDERS CHARGED FOR A SERIES OF OFFENCESFollowing several weeks of intensive investigation into reports of burglary, theft, and other offences committed at both commercial and residential properties, RVIPF detectives have preferred a series of criminal charges against two males.The males, Kie-Andre Williams, 21, of McNamara and Jehkhalibbah Williams, 19, of Free Bottom have been jointly charged with a series of offenses ranging from Burglary to Criminal Trespass in relation to ...

The Office of the Supervisor of Elections is advising the public that Voter Registration is ongoing, and individuals who are eligible to vote, should register to do so.Section (2) of the Virgin Islands Constitution Order, 2007 states that  an individual must be a Belonger18 years of age or older, and domiciled in the Virgin Islands to be eligible to vote.Persons must present a Virgin Islands Passport, with embossed seal, a Belonger’s Card or Belonger’s Certificate to register. A Naturalisation...

On Friday 7 June, sometime after 8pm, Officers of the RVIPF responded to reports of an armed robbery at the Bath & Turtle on Virgin Gorda.  Swift investigations indicate that a lone gunman who escaped on foot, took $250 of the day's earnings. The RVIPF is seeking witnesses as they continue investigations into the incident. Increase In RobberiesJust two weeks prior, on 26 May as the annual Leverick Bay Poker run got into high gear, two gunmen brazenly attempted to rob the Leverick Bay establishme...

The rains are worrisome.  They are striking at the wealth of the (nation).It takes a lifetime to acquire wealth, most of which is invested in homes/property.  And in a matter of hours, if not minutes, it could all be gone.After hurricanes Irma and Maria, when many of our elderly beheld the damages to their properties with no means for repair, they took the low road and checked out of the game of life.  But even more important than the individual circumstance is the state.  If the financial healt...

Under what appears to be the dark and cover of night, the Premier has cut his trip short, and returned to the island our sources are confirming. The Premier was due to return to the Territory on or around 12 June. Our sources are confirming that the Premier was ordered back to the Territory as ‘things aren’t well’, and he is needed on the ground. Also confirmed is that a UK Official was on the ground and unable to meet with the Premier due to him being out of the Territory.  The Official met ...

In what seems to be exclusive comments, prominent New York City psychiatrist and Virgin Islands Belonger Henry Jarecki has moved to refute claims laid out in a lawsuit filed this week in New York by “Jane Doe 11”. The explosive sex trafficking lawsuit was brought by an anonymous Jeffrey Epstein accuser, stating Jarecki raped her after Epstein sent her to his office for complaints of depression. However, Jarecki is pushing back – denying the allegations as made up and a money grab."False accus...

The 91-year-old doctor and business tycoon appears in Epstein’s notorious ‘little black book,’ but the extent of their connection has long been unclear.

Shortly after midnight on June 1, 2024, officers from the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force responded to a report of a disturbance involving the use of a machete in Long Bush, outside Edge Nightclub.Initial investigations revealed that an altercation occurred between two males, during which one male, armed with a machete, injured the other.Shavoy Dasent, 23, of Josiah’s Bay, has been charged with Causing Grievous Bodily Harm with Intent and Armed with an Offensive Weapon. He remains in custody ...

On Friday, May 31, 2024, officers from the Royal VirginIslands Police Force conducted several search operations on Virgin Gorda as part of investigations into the attempted armed robbery at Leverick Bay Resort on Sunday, May 26, 2024.Several search warrants were executed at multiple properties believed to be linked to the crime. Two individuals were arrested, and items of evidential valuewere seized.During one of the searches, evidence was also uncovered linking a person of interest to large-sca...

“We are island people and the sea is an ever present and central fixture in our lives. In BVI, views of the seascapes are legion.  They calm our spirits and at times, make us look beyond ourselves, perhaps to the god of the seas. (not Poseidon) None can dispute the fact that the BVI is an amazingly beautiful part of the creation.  We believe evolution would have been severely challenged to install such a masterpiece. The seas are a major source of food.  Through desalination, it provides us wit...

Officers of the RVIPF's Marine Unit received a report of a suspicious vessel while on patrol after 11 pm on May 30. In collaboration with other law enforcement agencies, the officers intercepted and searched the vessel. During the search, several concealed packages suspected to contain cocaine were discovered. Our newsroom understands some 300 kilograms  of cocaine were seized. Research shows the street value at over $6 million dollar. The three male occupants of the vessel were arrested and hav...

The BVI Asia Trade Mission, led by Deputy Premier and Minister for Financial Services, Honourable Lorna Smith, has concluded its roadshows in Beijing and Shanghai, with more than 300 industry representatives and professionals present for two days of informative speeches, panel discussions, and networking on the BVI’s financial services product offerings. The delegation also held a series of productive engagements with Chinese Government representatives.At events in Beijing and Shanghai, the Min...

The Department of Culture hosted the Virgin Islands Built Heritage and the Art of Archaeological Reconstruction workshop on Thursday May 29, 2024. The workshop for Technical Drawing senior secondary school students from the Bregado Flax Educational Centre, the Virgin Islands School of Technical Studies and the Elmore Stoutt High School, was held at Cedar International School and St. Philip's Anglican Church Ruins and Heritage Site.Facilitators for the morning session were Dr. Katherine Smith, Di...

The Department of Immigration has been honored with the prestigious title of 'Most Improved Department' based on statistics from the RATEUS platform according to the latest edition of the Public Service Customer Service Newsletter.The RATEUS platform, a comprehensive tool for evaluating government service delivery, has recognized the Department of Immigration for its remarkable progress and dedication to enhancing efficiency, transparency, and customer satisfaction.According to Acting Chief Immi...

The Ministry of Finance marks a significant milestone, with the completion and publication of the 2024-2026 Medium Term Debt Strategy (MTDS). This report is the first of its kind for the Territory and building on the 2023 base year, it demonstrates Government's commitment to long-term territorial development planning.A MTDS presents a debt management strategy with a medium-term focus that would guide the government’s borrowing policies and debt management operations to achieve its debt manageme...

Premier of the Virgin Islands, Honourable Dr. Natalio D. Wheatley will be absent from the Territory from Sunday, May 26 to Thursday, May 30, for the purpose of attending the fourth International Conference on Small Island Developing States (SIDS) in Antigua and Barbuda.The theme being observed this year is “Charting the Course Toward Resilient Prosperity”.The objective of this conference is to review SIDS’ sustainable development progress and propose a new decade of partnerships and solutions...

The British Virgin Islands (BVI) Asia Trade Mission, led by Deputy Premier and Minister for Financial Services, Honorable Lorna Smith, OBE, has successfully completed its first leg in Hong Kong, engaging in a series of meetings and events this week. The delegation included representatives from ten firms that sponsored and participated in the Trade Mission, showcasing the collaborative spirit of the BVI's public and private sectors.In Hong Kong, Deputy Premier Smith held significant meetings with...

The Environmental Health Division is urging residents to take immediate action to reduce mosquito breeding sites following heavy rainfall.Deputy Chief Environmental Health Officer, Ms. Henrietta Alexander said the accumulation of standing water poses a significant risk for increased mosquito activity, which can lead to the spread of mosquito-borne diseases such as Dengue Fever and Chikungunya.Ms. Alexander said, “The recent rains have created numerous potential breeding grounds for mosquitoes. ...