LONDON, UK — The failure of a private London hospital to provide preventative blood-thinning medication to Lady Joan Branson contributed to her death from a pulmonary embolism, a coroner has concluded.Lady Branson, 80, the wife of British billionaire and Virgin Group founder Sir Richard Branson, died on 24 November 2025 after suffering a cardiac arrest at the private Lister Hospital in Chelsea, west London.At Westminster Coroner’s Court on Wednesday, Senior Coroner Professor Fiona Wilcox concl...

ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI — The People’s Leadership Movement (PLM), led by former legislator and businessman Mark H. Vanterpool, has unveiled veteran educator and construction professional Clifton Forbes as its candidate for the Third Electoral District, adding another name to the slate ahead of the upcoming general election.Forbes enters the political arena after more than three decades working in technical and vocational education, school administration and the construction industry.His selecti...

ROAD TOWN, Tortola, BVI — The British Virgin Islands is confronting a deeply disturbing development in its ongoing struggle with violent crime: a 14-year-old boy has been charged with murder in connection with a fatal shooting — but at the time of the alleged killing, he was only 13.The Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) announced Wednesday that the teenager has been charged with the murder of Eric Alexis Albert, who was fatally shot in the Greenland area on June 20, 2025.If confirmed b...

There are some stories that stay with you.Not because you knew the person personally, but because something about the story feels close to home.Miya Marcano’s story is one of those stories.Long before her name became associated with a foundation, a law and a national movement for safer housing, Miya was simply a 19-year-old young woman with a bright smile, a loving family and a future waiting to unfold.She was a daughter.A granddaughter.A young woman with dreams.And for us in the Virgin Islands...

ROAD TOWN, Tortola — Consumers in the Virgin Islands are now set to have greater statutory protections following Governor Daniel Pruce’s assent to the Consumer Protection (Amendment) Act, 2026, legislation that gives Government new powers to regulate prices on selected goods and strengthens the Territory’s consumer-protection framework.Governor Pruce assented to the legislation on August 28, according to an official release from the Governor’s Office.The development marks the final stage of ...

The Government of the Virgin Islands has begun reviewing its Protected Basket of Goods Initiative as families across the Territory continue to face mounting financial pressure linked to the ongoing global fuel crisis and rising cost of living.Premier and Minister of Finance Dr. Natalio D. Wheatley, along with Minister responsible for Economic Development and Consumer Affairs, Lorna G. Smith, OBE, met today with supermarket representatives and government agencies to assess the effectiveness of th...

The Virgin Islands has welcomed the inaugural Boston Whaler Takeover, a new boating event aimed at attracting visitors from Puerto Rico during September, traditionally one of the slowest periods of the Territory’s tourism season.The event brought members of the Puerto Rico Whaler Owners Club to the British Virgin Islands from September 4 to 7 for four days of island-hopping, social activities and exploration across the Territory.Premier and Minister of Tourism, Dr. Natalio D. Wheatley, welcomed...

The Ministry of Environment, Natural Resources and Climate Change is inviting applications for membership on the Crown Lands Advisory Board, established under the Crown Lands Management Act, 2024.The Ministry is seeking to fill one vacancy for a representative from the island of Jost Van Dyke.The successful applicant will serve as a member of the Crown Lands Advisory Board and assist in carrying out the functions of the Board as prescribed under the Act. Members are expected to act at all times ...