The Virgin Islands Recovery and Development Agency (RDA) is pleased to announce that Kinisha Forbes has been appointed as the new Director of Programme Strategy effective 12 September, 2023.In this role, Ms. Forbes will provide leadership and direction in the development of the Agency’s immediate and longer-term plans while managing the Programme Strategy Department.Ms. Forbes will support Chief Executive Officer, Anthony McMaster, in leading engagement and implementation of the provisions...

Deputy Premier and Minister for Financial Services, Labour, and Trade, Honourable Lorna G. Smith, OBE, has said the Territory will be hosting a high-level meeting aimed at combating global illicit financial flows this week.Honourable Smith, OBE in a statement in the House of Assembly on September 7 said senior officials from the Overseas Territories (OTs) and the United Kingdom (UK) will be meeting in the Virgin Islands from September 12 to 14 for a meeting on Illicit Finance. The meeting will b...

Based on an update received from the Ministry of Education, Youth Affairs and Sports, the Ministry appears to be distancing itself from the mayhem that ensued based on last minute changes to the traffic this morning, Monday September 11 made by the RVIPF. The update noted that “The Ministry of Education, Youth Affairs and Sports is informing the public that this morning, we became aware of an adjustment to traffic in the vicinity of the Elmore Stoutt High School that adversely impacte...

When he took the crying baby out of the pram, my mind flew back to a painting in Madrid’s Museo del Prado.Las Meninas by Diego Velázquez…There may be no lines of symmetry but there is illusion and an unspoken message.Las Meninas, for what it does not say, is, in modern times, one of the most studied and discussed paintings.And at the heart of the painting is a mystery that scholars are still seeking to unravel.…And then, with the baby on his shoulder, he rounded the co...

In a letter dated 7 September 2023, and signed by Acting Chief Education Officer Orlandette Crabbe, parents of the Joyce Samuel Primary School were advised that the reopening of the school will be pushed back by one week due to incomplete renovations work. The school is now expected to reopen on Tuesday 19 September. The information on the schools came to light during this week at the Continuation of the Second Sitting (5 September) and Third Sitting (7 September) of the First Session of th...

Police conducted a spontaneous operation in the East End area of Tortola on Wednesday 6 September. One Semi-Automatic Pistol and a significant amount of ammunition were recovered during the operation.One suspect has been arrested and taken into custody. The investigation is still active; therefore, no further information can be provided at this time.This is the second firearm recovered since the start of this week. On Sunday, September 3, the RVIPF recovered an AK-47 assault rifle and a signific...

Officers of the Criminal Investigations Department seized an AK-47 rifle and a quantity of ammunition on Sunday 3 September from a home in Free Bottom. One male was arrested and subsequently charged.Keron Hodge, 21, of Purcell Estate, was charged with one count of Possession of a Prohibited Weapon and two counts of Unlawful Possession of Explosives. He remains in custody until his appearance at the Magistrate’s Court.The RVIPF continues to do its part to reduce the number of illegal firear...

The British Virgin Islands Health Services Authority (BVIHSA) has noted a recent increase in the number of persons testing positive for COVID-19 at the Dr. D. Orlando Smith Hospital. The Organization believes that this increase in positive cases serves as a reminder that the Covid-19 virus persists, necessitating ongoing caution and proactive measures to ensure health and safety. As the Omicron variant and other strains of the virus continue to circulate, the BVIHSA urges persons to remain ...

Virgin Gorda Yacht Harbour (VGYH) is thrilled to announce, More For 2024, its official New Year’s Eve event.On December 31st, 2023, the grounds of VGYH will be transformed into a premier event space bringing the best of the BVI to Spanish Town, Virgin Gorda. The event will feature a wide selection of entertainment, a vibrant marketplace showcasing an array of local vendors offering delicious food, trendy apparel, and one-of-a-kind crafts and art pieces.”We are excited to host More Fo...

For September, the Virgin Islands' community joins the rest of the world in observing World Alzheimer's Month. The observation of World Alzheimer's Month is being spearheaded by Alzheimer's Disease International to raise awareness of dementia and to help address and eliminate the stigma associated with the disease. Dementia is a degenerative brain condition that robs a person of their memory, competency, comprehension and behavioural awareness, usually slowly, over years and Alzh...

Azim Yonnas, victim in last night’s shooting incident in Long Bush has succumbed to injuries sustained. He was 26 and a resident of Purcell Estate. Gunshots rang out late in the night. Yonnas was taken to the Dr D Orlando Smith Hospital with serious injuries but he later died. "Police can confirm a shooting last night in the Long Bush area. One male was injured and was taken to DOSH. More information will be provided as it becomes available," a RVIPF 4th September state...

In a world torn by strife and pain,Where fighting reigns, let's break the chain.No more battles against each other,Let's unite and be sisters and brothers.Cease the gun violence, end the despair,For a future of peace, let's show we care.No more tears shed over senseless killings,Let love be our guide, with hearts fulfilling.Drug trafficking's grip, we must release,For a life of dignity and inner peace.Embrace compassion, lend a helping hand,Together we can make a stand.Let's ...

In separate incidences, Police have arrested and charged four persons, including two females with keeping an unlicensed firearm. On 19 July, Police arrested and charged Dillon Etienne, 24, of Sea Cow’s Bay, for Keeping an Unlicensed Firearm, Unlawful Possession of a Firearm, Unlawful Possession of Explosives, two counts of Unlawful Possession of a Controlled Drug and Unlawful Possession of a Controlled Drug with Intent to Supply to Another.On 20 July, Police arrested and charged Dion ...

In separate incidences, Police have arrested and charged four persons, including two females with keeping an unlicensed firearm. On 19 July, Police arrested and charged Dillon Etienne, 24, of Sea Cow’s Bay, for Keeping an Unlicensed Firearm, Unlawful Possession of a Firearm, Unlawful Possession of Explosives, two counts of Unlawful Possession of a Controlled Drug and Unlawful Possession of a Controlled Drug with Intent to Supply to Another.On 20 July, Police arrested and charged Dion ...

Police arrested and later charged two (2) teens with robbery.  On 2nd August, Jason Smith, 18, of Sea Cow’s Bay, was arrested on three (3) counts of Robbery and Kimron White, 19, of Prospect Reef with three (3) counts of robbery on 4th August.Smith was also charged with Unlawful Possession of a Controlled Drug, as well as Resisting Arrest. 

Nine firms have once again submitted bids to participate in the pre-qualification process for the construction of the new West End Ferry Terminal, this time, by the 31st August deadline.Although similar in number, a different composition of firms participated in this pre-qualification business opportunity. These submissions will now be evaluated by a panel of evaluators to arrive at a short list of firms to be invited to bid on the construction works. The RDA will provide an update soon after.Pr...

Director of the Water and Sewage Department Mr. Brian Davis said his department has addressed the situation on Virgin Gorda where residents were encountering a foul odor emanating from their taps.Mr. Davis said that the foul smell which affected residents of the Valley, Virgin Gorda and particularly those who are connected to the public water supply was as a result of seaweed build up around the vicinity of the Handsome Bay Water Production Plant. He said  a number of measures were implemen...

In a viral video shared some days ago on social media, a man now known to be Venezuelan narco ‘Taliban’ was shown dumped alive into the Caribbean Sea close to Martinique. His legal name Reinaldo Fuentes.In an elaborate - and poorly thought out - ruse, Fuentes, a middleman for the Venezuelan Cartel del Golfo, earlier had dumped a shipment of narcotics at sea and fabricated a fake coast guard pursuit to explain not bringing the drugs back to his bosses and kept the cash.It is bein...

Commentary By Ayana Hull

Reports reaching our news room early this morning 23 August are that Officers of the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force are on Anegada and searching homes. On Saturday 19 August, we reported a major drug bust on the small island. In a press release dated 19 August 2023, RVIPF confirmed - AIRPLANE SEIZED DURING JOINT OPERATION ON ANEGADA - A joint operation between US Authorities and RVIPF Officers was conducted earlier today (19-8-23) on Anegada. An airplane and a significant ...