On Sunday, 30 March 2025, an incident occurred at His Majesty’s Prison, Balsam Ghut, involving a prisoner with known mental health challenges who attacked a prison officer.“I wish to assure the public that our staff responded swiftly and effectively, using appropriate and measured force to de-escalate the situation and ensure the safety of all involved.” Jay Kendall, head of PrisonsBoth the officer and the inmate received medical attention at Dr D. Orlando Smith Hospital and we...

The Civil Registry and Passport Office would like to inform the public that the United States Virgin Islands is enforcing the six-month passport validity requirement for entry to U.S. Territories and mainland. As such, all citizens are encouraged to renew their passports well in advance to avoid any inconvenience or disruption to travel plans to the U.S., as well as most countries.Please be reminded that you may renew your British Overseas Territories Citizen (BOTC) or British passports up to ni...

The 2025 Inter-Primary Schools Track and Field Championships has ended with the Francis Lettsome Primary School being the best primary school in the Territory athletically for the third consecutive year.The championships hosted by the Ministry of Education, Youth Affairs and Sports commenced with an opening ceremony and parade of teams at the A.O. Shirley Recreation Grounds on March 26 to 28 followed by events including three hundred meters races to four by one-hundred meter relays.The sporting ...

The Rotary Club of Tortola is proud to announce the resounding success of its 16th Annual Grand Affair, held on Saturday, March 22nd, 2025, at the newly reopened Peter Island Resort. The sold-out event, themed “Out of Africa”, raised an impressive amount in support of the Club’s Cancer Screening Project and the Youth Empowerment Project (YEP) Road Town.Co-chaired by PAG Lorna Smith and Past President Ken Morgan, the evening brought together community leaders, Rotarians, and sup...

In collaboration with the Department of Information Technology (DoIT), cyber specialists funded by the UK Government are conducting a national cyber security risk assessment (NCRA) and training programme to improve the resilience of the Virgin Islands in the event of a cyber attack.The NCRA focuses on improving the cyber security of critical national infrastructure (CNI) and essential digital services in critical sectors such as government, telecoms, health, maritime, energy, transport, on which...

A three-day conference was held in the Territory to discuss advancing postal services in the Virgin Islands. The conference included topics exploring digital transformation and integrating technology such as artificial intelligence.The conference was hosted by Caribbean Postal Union (CPU) and the Universal Postal Union (UPU) in collaboration with the British Virgin Islands Postal Services from March 25 to 27 under the theme, “Adapting to the Future: Enhancing Operational Efficiency and Inn...

And ‘the cheese stands alone!’The consorts of the queen on the chess board have won this round. There was a time when she would have walked on water for ‘Bob the Builder’ but it seems those days are firmly in the history books.For the second time with two ‘M’(s) involved; Bob’ has been deposed. When it happened the first time, the queen, by her own account, was distraught and displayed emotions that are best expressed in private.What a difference ‘...

Jeremy Mark Smith, a US national visiting the Territory (BVI), was arrested yesterday Friday March 28, 2025 at the Terrence B Lettsome International Airport. Smith was found to be in unlawful possession of ammunition.Smith who is also the holder of a firearms license in the US, traveled to the BVI on 17th March along with his wife for vacation purposes. While departing the territory through the airport yesterday, a search was conducted on his luggage. During the search, Smith pointed the securit...

Officers of the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) continue to make significant progress in ongoing investigations into robberies and other property crimes across the Territory.On Wednesday, March 25, RVIPF officers conducted search operations at five properties linked to suspects in recent armed robberies. During the course of these operations, officers recovered a 9mm semi-automatic Glock pistol and a total of 41 rounds of assorted ammunition.Eight males were taken into custody as a res...

Five new members have been appointed to the Board of Directors of the BVI Health Services Authority (BVIHSA). This marks a significant step toward strengthening healthcare governance and oversight. Their appointment restores the Board’s quorum and allows critical decision-making and strategic initiatives to move forward.The newly appointed Board members, approved by Cabinet, include: • John Cline – Member• Noelene Levons• Mitsy J. Ellis-Simpson• Stacy Lloyd &ndash...

Ponce Health Sciences University (PHSU) will officially inaugurate its new school of medicine with fifty (50) students in July.The university’s campus will be based at the H. Lavity Stoutt Community College (HLSCC) in Paraquita Bay and in Road Town at the B&F Medical Building through a partnership with HLSCC and B&F Medical.Premier and Minister of Finance Dr. The Honourable Natalio Wheatley said many areas in the economy will benefit from the opening of the university in the Territ...

The Office of the Deputy Governor has launched a new strategic framework for the Public Service Transformation Programme.Public Service Transformation Manager, Mrs. Kishann Cupid-Braithwaite said the framework provides an updated position for the Public Service, considering the extensive work that has been completed and will guide future development.Mrs. Cupid-Braithwaite said, “The Public Service has worked extremely hard over the last few years to become an organisation that delivers Wor...

Nearly 7,000 participate in drill.

The opening of the Ponce Health Sciences University (PHSU) School of Medicine in the Virgin Islands is expected to present a valuable opportunity for collaboration to enhance healthcare in the Territory.The medical school was launched on Monday as the Government of the Virgin Islands seeks to foster partnerships that will strengthen medical education, research, and patient care.Minister for Health and Social Development Honourable Vincent O. Wheatley said this milestone marks a commitment to str...

In recognition of World Water Day, Seven Seas Water Group (SSWG) proudly awarded the winners of the Prize for Water Science, the highest-scoring water science projects at the recently held National Science Fair.The prize celebrates students who have demonstrated outstanding scientific inquiry into water-related challenges, reinforcing the importance of STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) education in the British Virgin Islands. This year’s winners are:Secondary ...

The Royal Virgin Islands Police Force has made progress in its investigation into the recent stabbing incident in Virgin Gorda, which claimed the life of Rasheel Thomas Alexander.Drew Farrell, 42, of The Valley, Virgin Gorda, has been formally charged with Manslaughter in connection with this incident. He remains in custody pending his appearance before the Magistrate’s Court.The RVIPF continues to urge members of the public to report any information that may assist this or any other inves...

Mrs. Orlandette Crabbe has been confirmed as Chief Education Officer within the Ministry of Education, Youth Affairs and Sports, effective June 2024.Mrs. Crabbe’s appointment to the position comes following an Acting Appointment.As Chief Education Officer, Mrs. Crabbe will continue to supervise the administration and management of the Department of Education to ensure educational standards are maintained and continually developed throughout the Territory.Mrs. Crabbe has extensive experienc...

Mrs. Heida Selwood has been confirmed as Deputy Chief Education Officer within the Ministry of Education, Youth Affairs ands Sports, effective June 2024.Mrs. Selwood’s appointment to the position comes following an Acting Appointment. She boasts an extensive career in education in the Virgin Islands, having served as a Teacher, Head of Department and Assistant Principal (Ag.) at the Bregado Flax Educational Centre. Mrs. Selwood’s experience also includes an appointment as Education O...

Inmates at His Majesty’s Prison recently participated in the second annual Inmate Debate, an initiative designed to support rehabilitation and personal transformation.The debate themed, "How Can My Positive Prison Experience Make an Impact in Society?" was a collaborative effort between His Majesty’s Prison and the New Life Baptist Church and reflected a shared commitment to fostering positive change within the prison system.Two teams of five inmates presenting arguments on...

The Ministry of Health and Social Development has announced that the numbers of Hand Foot and Mouth Disease (HFMD) in the Virgin Islands has risen to 66 and is encouraging the community to take proactive measures to stop its spread.Acting Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Ronald Georges confirmed that there is a rise in confirmed cases of the disease that is primarily affecting children across early childhood learning centres and pre-primary schools.Dr. Georges said, “To mitigate spread, the Publ...