Gambling with Customer Deposits by Making ‘Loans’ to the Bankrupt Wens, Corporate Corpses and More

We are now prepared to report the details of extraordinary, coordinated, and fraudulent schemes orchestrated by the leadership of Bank of Asia to mask its true equity position; these while its disgraced and bankrupt founder, Mr Carson Wen, attempted to sell the bank for around $400 million and extract cash for himself and others despite a worldwide freezing order being in place.None other than Lorna Smith OBE, now Junior Minister Smith, was at the helm of Bank of Asia at all material times while...

A coordinated multi-agency operation conducted between June 17 and 18, 2025, involving the Department of Immigration, His Majesty’s Customs, the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF), and external law enforcement partners, resulted in several arrests and the seizure of approximately 1,440 kilograms of cocaine. The recovered drugs have an estimated street value of $144 million.The intelligence-led operation was launched on June 17 following investigations by the Joint Task Force (JTF) into s...

Effective July 1, the new minimum wage in the Territory will be $7.25 per hour.Cabinet at its meeting of 28 May 2025, approved the increase that will be adjusted using a phased approach, as recommended in the comprehensive review conducted by the Minimum Wage Advisory Committee, which was established under Section 38(1)(c) of the Labour Code, 2010.In addition to the phased approach to increasing the minimum wage, a number of targeted interventions are expected to be introduced. Employers are rem...

The House of Assembly of the Virgin Islands mourns the loss of a distinguished leader and dedicated public servant, Mrs.  Eileene Lucia Parsons, OBE.  Throughout her lifetime of exemplary service to the Virgin Islands, Mrs. Parsons was a respected member of the then Legislative Council. Her dedication extended right up to her passing, as she remained actively engaged in matters related to the House of Assembly, notably serving as a vital sub-committee member advising on the upcoming 75th Anniver...

The British Virgin Islands Tourist Board & Film Commission (BVITBFC) announces the 284 Excellence Film Festival (284XFF), a landmark event aimed at bridging the gap between Caribbean literature and Cinema. Spearheaded by the BVI Tourist Board & Film Commission, this inaugural festival will run from 30th October to 2nd November 2025, offering a vibrant showcase of global cinema with a powerful spotlight on Caribbean stories and voices.The 284 Excellence Film Festival with its focus on Caribbean L...

The British Virgin Islands Ports Authority (BVIPA), in partnership with Creative Waves, would like to announce the completion of a new mural at the Dog Hole Facility on Jost Van Dyke. A brief ceremony was held on Tuesday, 17 June to mark the occasion and celebrate the artist’s work.This is the second mural delivered through the Creative Waves and BVI Ports Authority initiative which invites local artists to enhance port spaces with artwork that reflects the life, culture and spirit of the Terri...

The Environmental Health Division is making preparations to accommodate the influx of persons requiring food handler’s certification ahead of the Emancipation Festival. Acting Chief Environmental Health Officer, Ms. Henrietta Alexander said that the division will be offering weekly food handlers’ courses for the months of June and July and persons should take advantage of this opportunity. “We want to remind the public that all food handlers are required to be certified in order to operate du...

The Social Development Department is reaffirming its commitment to supporting survivors of abuse and is encouraging the public to speak out and seek assistance.Recognising the emotional and psychological toll of abuse—especially within the context of small, tightly-knit communities—the department is reminding survivors that they are not alone, and that their experiences matter. Survivors are assured that they are never at fault for the abuse they have endured and are urged to access the servic...

Deputy Premier, and Minister for Environment, Natural Resources and Climate Change, Honourable Julian Fraser RA, is reminding the public of the importance of preserving the Territory’s environment, in light of reports of an upsurge in sand mining activities.The ministry has received numerous accounts of sand mining at Long Bay, Beef Island which is compromising the walkway to the western end of the beach, undermining beach restoration efforts and affecting the long-term health of the beach. Rec...

In the heart of the Virgin Islands, a beacon shone bright,  A queen of our culture, a guiding light.  With wisdom and grace that inspired so many,  Her voice was a chorus, a melody, uncanny.  Ms. "P," as she’s fondly known,  A legacy of strength, in each heart she’s sown.  Through valleys of history, she walked with pride,  A storyteller, a leader, with courage as her guide.  At ninety-five years, her journey drew near,  Yet, her spirit lives on, in each joyful tear.  From the shores of Tortol...

TB Lettsome Airport Fire Officer shot to death outside home.

Former Legislator and cultural icon Eileen Parsons OBE has died. She passed away this morning Sunday June 22 at the Dr D Orlando Hospital. She was 94 years old. During her political career, she served as a Member of the HOA, Minister for Health Education and Welfare, Deputy Premier, and Deputy Speaker of the House. She helped to  paved the way for women in Virgin Islands politics. Ms Parsons, outside of politics, and maybe her truest love, was a culture and heritage aficionado. She founded the H...

Much has now been written about the Government’s ill-advised $5.0 million deposit into the troubled Bank of Asia.  Finger pointing has gone on, no proper answers have been provided, and there have been calls for the Governor to now investigate.But is the economic problem just one of $5.0 million?  We have reasons to believe that the problem might be much bigger than that.  We have attempted to do as much research on the financials of Bank of Asia as possible, but the information is admittedly i...

So, it is the moment of truth.  The question is:Do we rally around the BVI coat of arms and save our livelihood?OrDo we give in to the intense desire for individualism while the country falls?  (The war of the roses flickers in my mind.)This is not a plea to excuse wrongdoing or corruption if and where it exists, rather, it is a call to lower the temperature of the oven before something other than the goose is well and thoroughly cooked.Of course, we have the example of those ‘tallest and stron...

115 persons are now British Overseas Territories Citizens following two (2) ceremonies held at Government House on June 16 and 17.During the ceremonies, the newly naturalised individuals heard congratulatory remarks from His Excellency the Governor, Mr. Daniel Pruce, Acting Premier, Honourable Julian Fraser, RA, and Registrar General, Mrs. Tashi O’Flaherty-Maduro.Governor Pruce reminded the celebrants that Naturalisation is an enriching process from which the Virgin Islands gains during his rem...

Minister for Education, Youth Affairs and Sports, Honourable Sharie B. deCastro,  has commended RiteWay Food Markets for their meaningful and ongoing partnership with the Eslyn Henley Richiez Learning Centre (EHRLC).Speaking at the 2025 Graduation Ceremony of the learning centre, the minister expressed heartfelt appreciation to RiteWay which she says continues to set a shining example of inclusive employment and corporate responsibility in the Virgin Islands.Honourable deCastro said, “This mome...

The Honourable Corine N. George-Massicote, Speaker of the House of Assembly of the Virgin Islands, was formally invited to deliver the keynote address at this year’s Caribbean Women’s Transformational Leadership Conference, that took place in Barbados on this past Wednesday, 18 June 2025.This prestigious regional conference was hosted by Caribbean Women in Leadership (CIWiL) in collaboration with the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA), the Commonwealth Secretariat, ParlAmericas, and ...

Hello You. Certain moments in life, we just have to sit still and Let it be. Leave things as is, Let the energy flow as it is may whether there is an energy shift or not—and then let yourself fully surrender to rest. No guilt. No thoughts. Just peace.Here’s is something to settle your beautiful soul: “When the Storm Softens”Today,I am not rushing healing.I am not forcing light.I am lying still,with the ache in my bonesand the quiet in my chest,because even this wearinessis sacred. My body is...

What Happened and How to Fix it in the best interest of the BVI.