Today, the Virgin Islands mourns the passing of Sarah Penney—a woman whose impact on this Territory reached far beyond titles, headlines, or public office.For many, Sarah Penney was synonymous with dance, culture, environmental stewardship, and community service. She devoted countless hours to helping shape the lives of young people, teaching discipline, confidence, creativity, and self-expression through the performing arts. Generations of Virgin Islanders passed through programmes she led, ca...

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has announced his resignation, bringing an abrupt end to a premiership that began with great promise following Labour’s landslide election victory in 2024 but ultimately became mired in political turmoil, internal party divisions, and declining public support.  Starmer confirmed on Monday that he would step down after mounting pressure from within the governing Labour Party, with many MPs concluding that he was no longer the leader best positioned to defeat t...

The crowd stood and applauded an icon.  Some were overwhelmed by emotions.  Others, all but jumped for joy.  But those who saw the bigger picture understood that a piece of BVI history was being made.  But the honoree remained seated as phones were pointed in his direction with the camera app activated.  There were flashes of light.  His image was frozen in time; Captured for posterity.  Feelings of euphoria invaded the psyche of family, close friends and well-wishers.And we recalled that 1971 h...

ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI — The British Virgin Islands Ports Authority (BVIPA) is urging importers, brokers, shipping agents, and other stakeholders to expedite the processing and submission of cargo clearance documents as the 2026 Atlantic Hurricane Season gets underway.In a notice issued this week, the Ports Authority emphasized that timely documentation is critical to ensuring the efficient movement of goods through the Territory’s ports, particularly during a period when adverse weather event...

As the United States marks 250 years since the signing of the Declaration of Independence, Americans are reflecting on the meaning of freedom, self-determination, and nationhood. Across that vast nation, celebrations, ceremonies, and historical commemorations are underway to honor a defining moment in world history.But while the eyes of the world may be fixed on America’s semiquincentennial, there is another 250-year story of freedom that deserves recognition much closer to home.It is the story...

ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI — Two men have been remanded to His Majesty’s Prison after officers of the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) recovered an illegal firearm and ammunition during an operation in the East End district.The early morning operation, conducted on June 11, resulted in the seizure of a Glock pistol and six rounds of 9mm ammunition, according to police.Following the recovery, 50-year-old Antonio Diaz Montero and 40-year-old Wilson Lorenzo Perez were arrested and charged wi...

ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI — New mothers and newborns across the Virgin Islands are set to receive additional support following the launch of a new Hampers for Mothers initiative and the relaunch of the long-standing Books for Babies programme at the Dr. D. Orlando Smith Hospital on Thursday.The initiatives are the result of a collaborative effort between the British Virgin Islands Health Services Authority (BVIHSA), the Rotary Club of Road Town, Walkers BVI and the BVI Reading Council. Together, t...

ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI — The Ministry of Education, Youth Affairs and Sports is celebrating another year of academic excellence after the Class of 2026 achieved a Territory-wide graduation rate of 97 percent, with 248 students successfully meeting all requirements to graduate from the Virgin Islands public secondary school system.The impressive results highlight continued academic achievement across the Territory, with every male student eligible for graduation successfully completing the neces...