We have been asking the Government since the arrest of a BVI Premier on foreign soil on 28th April 2022 to have a debate in the Honourable House to devise a mechanism in law or policy to avoid that history repeating itself.They have steadfastly refused.But they find time to do the things that allow them to live off the largess of the land.  They created legislation to fill their pockets and to hold the keys to the city so that, in death, their family fortunes are not diminished by the financial ...

A FLASH FLOOD WARNING IS IN EFFECT FOR LOW LYING AND FLOOD PRONE AREAS OF THE BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS VALID UNTIL 12 MIDNIGHT TODAY WEDNESDAY. A FLASH FLOOD WARNING MEANS THAT MODERATE TO MAJOR FLOODING IS OCCURRING OR IMMINENT IN THE WARNING AREA. FLASH FLOODING IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION. PERSONS IN LOW LYING OR FLOOD PRONE AREAS, SHOULD TAKE IMMEDIATE PRECAUTIONS TO PROTECT LIFE AND PROPERTY. DO NOT ATTEMPT TO CROSS SWIFTLY FLOWING WATERS OR WATERS OF UNKNOWN DEPTH BY FOOT OR BY VEHICLE. JU...

An early morning letter issued to Teachers and Students from the Ministry of Education has called off public schools across the Territory for today, Wednesday 7th February due to deteriorating weather conditions in the Territory  “Due to the anticipated adverse weather conditions forecasted for today, Wednesday, 7th February 2024, the Department of Disaster Management has advised the closure of all public schools in the territory. This decision is to ensure the safety of our students and staff ...

A FLASH FLOOD WATCH IN EFFECT FOR LOW LYING AND FLOOD PRONE AREAS OF THE BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS AND ANGUILLA UNTIL 8 P.M.TOMORROW. A FLASH FLOOD WATCH MEANS THAT MODERATE TO MAJOR FLOODING IS POSSIBLE BUT NOT IMMINENT IN THE WATCH AREA. FLASH FLOODING IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION. RESIDENTS IN LOW LYING AND FLOOD PRONE AREAS SHOULD MAKE PREPARATIONS FOR FLOODING TO SAFE GUARD LIFE AND PROPERTY. THEY SHOULD BE PREPARED TO MOVE TO HIGHER GROUND IF FLOODING RAINS DEVELOP OR A FLASH FLOOD WARNING I...

Minister for Communications and Works, Honourable Kye M. Rymer says the Public Works Department has mobilised its Emergency Response Team and is inspecting ghuts and other waterways in a proactive approach to the impending weather later today.Honourable Rymer was responding to a weather alert issued by the Department of Disaster Management advising of a frontal trough, approaching the Territory.  The department has advised that showers and isolated thunderstorms are expected with potential impac...

The Constitutional Review Commission Report was laid on the table during the Eighth Sitting of the First Session of the Fifth House of Assembly on Wednesday, 31st January, 2024.The comprehensive report, which is 288 pages, is divided into six chapters and eight appendices.  The Commission in its Terms of Reference was required to consider, among other things: the aspirations of the people of the Virgin Islands; how the executive ministerial government can be held to account in the HOA (e.g. by s...

UK Minister for the Overseas Territories (OTs), David Rutley arrived in the Territory yesterday, Sunday 4 February for high level meetings with the sitting Government and other relevant stake holders.  “The Commission of Inquiry has identified serious governance and reputational issues, but progress on implementing its recommendations has been too slow, with agreed deadlines missed. That is why I am here: to listen and understand from those working directly on the reforms how they can be delive...

The opportunity presented itself under the name, Daniel Pruce.  The Fourth Estate categorized him as the 15th Governor of the Virgin Islands.  And when, on Monday, 29th January, HE the Ag. Governor, Mr. David Archer and Dr Allison Flax-Archer celebrated the appointment, HE, Governor Daniel Pruce, accompanied by his wife, Ms. Rachael Morgan, took his seat at Government House as His Majesty’s Representative in the Territory of the Virgin Islands.It seems unfair to King Edward VIII that everyone, ...

The BVI Community has been thrown into unexpected mourning once more with the sudden and tragic deaths of two young men. The males who were involved in the fatal accident which occurred on Tuesday afternoon January 30th at the bottom of Joes Hill have been identified as 32-year-old Henderson Legair and 23-year- old Kenroy Joseph. Joseph was taken by ambulance to Dr. Orlando Smith Hospital, where he was later pronounced dead, while Legair was pronounced dead at the scene.Details surrounding the a...

The eyes of global media, particularly in the neighboring US Virgin Islands, have been fixed on the unfolding case of Andrew A. Fahie, who was arrested in April of the previous year. The trial, which has drawn significant attention, has sparked interest and concern due to its potential impact on the reputation of the British Virgin Islands.On January 29, 2024, prosecutors in a Miami federal court presented their case against Fahie, alleging that he conspired to traffic cocaine from South America...

The Virgin Islands Festivals and Fairs Committee (VIFFC) has long been a cornerstone of the cultural and economic landscape of the British Virgin Islands. However, recent developments have raised concerns about the future of this iconic institution, as its ticket booth sits occupied amid speculation about its fate.As the 70th Anniversary of Festivals approaches, the question arises: is the occupation of the VIFFC ticket booth a strategic move to raise funds for the milestone celebration, or does...

Governor Designate Mr Daniel Pruce arrived in the Territory this evening, 26th January, with his wife Ms Rachael Morgan.  Mr Pruce will be sworn in as the Governor of the British Virgin Islands on Monday, 29th January.Mr Pruce said “I’m delighted to have arrived in BVI.  Rachael and I were very grateful for the warm welcome at the airport.  I look forward to being sworn in as Governor on Monday.  It will be a privilege to serve the people of the islands and to work in collaboration with a wide...

All BVI will soon be on trial.Truth be told, a single individual will be, so there is no reason everyone should feel compromised, let down, complicit.  But they do.It is almost the feeling that people of African descent have experienced over the decades when one of their number, albeit a stranger, commits a crime anywhere in the world.  They have felt judged and personally and silently blamed by the international community.Andrew Alturo Fahie’s rise to prominence must have been preordained.  Fo...

On Thursday, January 18, 2024, while conducting a stop and search operation on Virgin Gorda, Officers of the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force stopped a vehicle containing three male occupants. During the search two firearms; a Rifle and Hand Pistol, multiple rounds of ammunition, and a substantial quantity of drugs believed to be cannabis were found.Akeem E. Joseph, 37, of St Croix, USVI and Kyreek Gardner, 22 of The Valley, Virgin Gorda were jointly charged with Possession of a Prohibited Fire...

His Majesty’s Customs is observing its 2024 Customs Week from January 21 to 27.The week of activities commenced with a church service at the St. Georges Anglican Church in Road Town on January 21. Throughout the week, various social events will take place to honor and appreciate the dedication of the hardworking officers who have contributed tirelessly throughout the year of 2023 and those that have retired within that time.International Customs Day will also be recognised on Friday, January 26...

Virgin Islands residents are encouraged to create or revise disaster plans as they plan their activities for 2024.Director of Disaster Management, Mr. Jasen Penn said that the turning of the year is an opportunity to reflect on lessons learned and improve going forward.“Last year, the Virgin Islands experienced a number of minor earthquakes, a major flooding event, and two close passes of tropical cyclones,” Mr. Penn said, adding, “Having an action plan for how to deal with these and other ha...

Member States and territories of the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court (ECSC) gathered in Grenada and via online mediums to mark the opening of the 2024 Law Year with a special sitting.The sitting held on January 12 also saw the final address delivered by retiring Chief Justice Janice Pereira, a Virgin Islander.In the Virgin Islands, the opening of the year was marked by a special church service at the Apostolic Faith Church in Road Town and a special sitting in the Civil Court Room on Tortola.Chi...

The Royal Virgin Islands Police Force has charged one additional male in relation to the armed robbery at House of Luxury Jewelry Store at Tortola Pier Park in July 2023. Vernon Bernard, 32, of Manuel Reef, was charged with Robbery, Handling Stolen Goods, and Possession of the Proceeds of Criminal Conduct. He will appear before the Magistrate’s Court at the next available sitting.In July of 2023, the RVIPF responded to reports of an armed robbery at Tortola Pier Park, where two masked men dress...

Detectives of the Major Incident Team of the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force arrested one person for questioning in connection with the September 3rd, 2023, murder of 25-year-old Azim Yonnas of Butu Mountain. This arrest follows an extensive investigation spanning just over three months.Initial enquiries revealed that Yonnas was in the Long Bush area when he was pursued by two armed, masked individuals and was fatally shot.While the investigation remains ongoing, the Royal Virgin Islands Polic...

The news, when it was confirmed, was shocking.  Heads hung in silence; Dark shadows crossed the hearts of the listeners; Mouths stood agape in consternation; And expressions of disbelief were uttered while the public waited for someone to say that it was not so.The Premier could not, in that moment, touch the valiant lady, who, with all she promised to offer on her inaugural call to the BVI, was no match for the strong emotions that racked his body, disfigured his face and brought tears of angui...