.png)
Treasury Department to have VI certified staff by 2026- SFC Report
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- The Treasury Department of the Virgin Islands is hoping to have employees certified in accounting in the years to come, eliminating the need to employ persons from outside the territory.
Smith, Penn & Arthur to represent VI @ 2025 Mrs Globe Pageants
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- Mrs Teneka T. Arthur, Mrs Bisa D. Smith and Mrs Sabrina J. Penn will be the delegates representing the Virgin Islands at the 2025 Mrs Globe pageants.
Roy E. Barry Out! Hunt is on for 2 Deputies @ SS/NHI
SEA COWS BAY, Tortola, VI- Word reaching our news centre is that Sea Cows Bay resident and Deputy Director/Director of the National Health Insurance (NHI) Agency Mr Roy E. Barry has retired.
Hazardous marine & coastal conditions impacting USVI
VI CONSORTIUM
CHARLOTTE AMALIE, St Thomas, USVI- The US Virgin Islands and surrounding areas are experiencing hazardous marine and coastal conditions, including dangerous rip currents and breaking waves, due to pulses of a long-period northerly swell. The National Weather Service has issued multiple advisories for these risks, highlighting specific concerns for residents and visitors in St Thomas and St John, as well as other islands in the region.
Opposition slams Computer Misuse & Cybercrime Amendment Bill
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI –Premier and Minister of Finance, Dr the Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley (R7), on Thursday, January 9, 2025, presented the Computer Misuse and Cybercrime Amendment Bill 2024 to the House of Assembly (HoA). The bill received much criticism from the Opposition over what they said was the lack of adequate public consultation.
101 of 200 positions filled @ PWD- SFC Report
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- The Public Works Department (PWD) is currently operating with just about fifty percent of employees, as 91 vacant positions exist.
Residents fedup with garbage overflow in East End & Trellis Bay
EAST END, Tortola, VI- Many residents have continued to raise issues about the unsightly garbage bin that usually is overflowing in the East End area of Tortola, as well as Trellis Bay in the area close to the new Welcome Centre.
12000 work permits issued yearly in the VI- SFC Report
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- Acting Labour Commissioner, Department and Workforce Development Mr Mervin D. Hastings has said they issue on average twelve thousand work permits annually.
New Cybercrime law must target news sites & bloggers—Hon Fraser
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI— Deputy Premier Honourable Julian Fraser RA (R3), has called on the House of Assembly (HoA) to address the issue of “harmful content” on online platforms, particularly blogs and news sites, as part of the ongoing debate on amendments to the Computer Misuse and Cybercrime Act.
Claudia Creque Educational Centre receives combined $12.5K donation
THE SETTLEMENT, Anegada, VI- The Claudia Creque Educational Centre was the recipient of two cash donations on Friday, January 10, 2025, amounting to $12,500.00.
Premier Wheatley elected President of UK-OTA
LONDON, England, UK- Premier and Minister of Finance Dr the Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley (R7), has been elected President of the UK Overseas Territories Association (UK-OTA) and will also serve as President of the body's Political Council.
The Dollar, Debt, and World War 3
By Dickson C. Igwe
Now, as the global reserve currency, the Dollar and associated agencies are in a win - win. The USA offers it currency to the world and in return, the world pays the costs of the Dollar, not the USA. The USA produces the Dollar and the rest of the world consumes the Dollar or better said trade their scarce resources for that Dollar. In possessing the world reserve currency, the USA has the advantage over countries that rely on the Dollar for trade and industry.
.jpg)
VI earns spot on New York Times '52 Places to Go in 2025' list
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI – The Virgin Islands (VI) has proudly secured the #33 spot on The New York Times’ highly anticipated “52 Places to Go in 2025” list. Released annually in early January, this prestigious compilation highlights must-visit destinations, setting the tone for global travel each year.
Controversial Police Bill passes in HoA
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI—The controversial Virgin Islands Police (Amendment) Bill 2025 was passed—with amendments—in the House of Assembly (HoA) on January 9, 2025, following a heated debate and a contentious process that bypassed the traditional public consultation period between the second and third readings.
UPDATE: Padded invoices, lavish trips, bribes- Current & fmr USVI officials charged
VI CONSORTIUM
FREDERIKSTED, St Croix, USVI- On Friday morning, January 10, 2025, Commissioner of Sports, Parks and Recreation Calvert White walked into the District Court's St Thomas courtroom. So did Jenifer O'Neal, former director of the Office of Management and Budget, Ray Martinez, former commissioner of the Virgin Islands Police Department, and Benjamin Hendricks, owner of A Clean Environment, which does business with the government.
SFC Report reveals BVIHSA owed BVIEC over $2M
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- The BVI Health Services Authority (BVIHSA) had an outstanding balance of over two million dollars owed to the BVI Electricity Corporation (BVIEC), the Report on the Deliberations of the Standing Finance Committee (SFC) appointed by the House of Assembly (HoA) of the Virgin Islands (VI) to examine the Draft Estimates for the Year 2025, has revealed.
D9 Rep commends police for capturing burglar in VG
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- Minister for Health and Social Development Hon Vincent O. Wheatley, also the Ninth District Representative, has commended the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) for capturing serial burglar Paul M. Jack.
Powerboat destroyed by fire in Frenchman's Cay
FRENCHMAN'S CAY, VI- A powerboat was destroyed by fire last evening, Thursday, January 9, 2025.
Soggy Dollar Bar #1 on USA Today’s 10 Best Beach Bars
WHITE BAY, Jost van Dyke, VI- Soggy Dollar Bar in Jost van Dyke has been ranked Number One on USA Today’s 10 Best Beach Bars in the Caribbean for 2025.
Tourists on motor scooter involved in accident @ Palestina Estate
PALESTINA ESTATE, Tortola, VI- Two tourists on a motor scooter were involved in an accident at Palestina Estate today, January 9, 2025.
Throne Speech: Public assistance grants increase proposed
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- The Ministry of Health and Social Development has proposed increasing the public assistance grants amount while areas needed to be defined through regulations under the Public Assistance Act is being worked on.
Land being sought for new HoA building- SFC Report
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- The hunt is on for a suitable location for the construction of a new House of Assembly (HoA) building that will double as income generating and a tourist attraction site.
UPDATE: Paul M. Jack arrested for series of VG buglaries & other crimes
VALLEY, Virgin Gorda, VI—The Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) has confirmed the arrest of Paul M. Jack, who was wanted for a string of burglaries and other crimes in Virgin Gorda.
Throne Speech: Magistracy to go digital with E-summons & new Rules
ROAD TOWN, Tortola VI—The Second Session of the Fifth House of Assembly commenced on Tuesday, January 7, 2025, with Governor Daniel Pruce announcing—among other proposed legislative reforms—modernising the criminal justice system at the level of the magistracy and judiciary.
Police officer charged for security breach during planned operation
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- A police officer has been charged for the alleged unauthorised disclosure of sensitive information that led to a planned police operation failing last year.
'I cannot support' Police Bill in current form- Hon Lorna G. Smith OBE
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI—In a contentious session of the House of Assembly (HoA) on Tuesday, January 7, 2025, the Police (Amendment) Bill 2024 was passed after its second and third readings were conducted on the same day.
'Too many women are dying from cervical cancer'- Dr Arliene T. Penn
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI – WINBVI Ambassador and Virgin Islands icon Dr Arliene T. Penn, the Mrs British Virgin Islands 2022/2023, cervical cancer survivor and thrivor, and passionate advocate, is on a mission to raise awareness about reproductive health and the importance of preventive screenings.
Tortola is 1st 2025 Ubersoca Cruise destination
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- Tortola has been selected as one of three destinations for the 2025 edition of the Ubersoca Cruise.
Drive-by shooting in the Sage Mountain area on Tortola
SAGE MOUNTAIN, Tortola, VI- Information reaching our news desk from law enforcement sources is that on Saturday, January 4, 2025, there was a drive-by shooting in the area between Sage Mountain and Windy Hill on the main island of Tortola.
‘We need to take our time & tidy up this thing’- Hon Fraser on Police Bill
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI— Deputy Premier Honourable Julian Fraser RA (R3) did not mince his words, as he candidly lamented aspects of the Police (Amendment) Bill 2024, during a heated debate in the Second Session of the Fifth House of Assembly (HoA) on Tuesday, January 7, 2025, where he raised concerns over the scope of powers granted to the Governor in the newly proposed bill, among other glaring provisions.
Throne Speech: VI Gaming & Betting Act (2020) to be improved
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- Improvements to the Virgin Islands Gaming and Betting Act 2020 are to be made during the Second Session of the Fifth House of Assembly (HoA).
Opposition raises ‘serious concerns’ against Police (Amendment) Bill 2024
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- Opposition Members, while raising concerns against the Police (Amendment) Bill 2024 slated to get three readings in one sitting of the House of Assembly (HoA), were defeated in their attempts to prevent a second reading of the bill in the HoA today, January 7, 2025.
Gov’t promises legislative reforms to tackle illegal migration & refugee issues
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI— United Kingdom (UK) appointed Governor of the Virgin Islands (VI) Mr Daniel Pruce today, January 7, 2025, delivered his inaugural ‘Speech from the Throne’ at the First Sitting of the Second Session of the Fifth House of Assembly (HoA), where he disclosed sweeping legislative reforms aimed at tackling— among other issues—irregular migration, and modernising the immigration processes for the Territory.
HoA to focus on National Sustainable Development Plan during new session
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- The Second Session of the Fifth House of Assembly (HoA) began today, Tuesday, January 7, 2025, with Governor Daniel Pruce delivering the Speech from the Throne.
Bridging Gaps: L. Allen Wheatley’s role in strengthening Agriculture & Fisheries in VI
EAST END, Tortola, VI—Enhancing communication between farmers, fishermen, government officials, and policymakers in the Territory are among the key achievements of Special Consultant to the Junior Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries, Dr the Honourable Karl Dawson (R1) during his tenure this past year.
VG named among 25 Best Caribbean Islands to Travel to in 2025
VALLEY, Virgin Gorda, VI- Virgin Gorda in the Virgin Islands has been featured in Caribbean Journal’s 25 Best Caribbean Islands to Travel to in 2025.
Gov’t’s legislative agenda for 2025 to be revealed in HoA today
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- The legislative agenda for 2025 by the Virgin Islands Party (VIP) government led by Premier and Minister of Finance Dr the Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) will be laid out to the public via the Speech from the Throne today, Tuesday, January 7, 2025.
2 international Prime Ministers resign!
PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad & Tobago, WI- The Prime Ministers of Canada and Trinidad and Tobago, respectively, are leaving office in an election year in their countries.
VI Tourism Summit set for Jan 16-17, 2025 @ Peter Island
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- The Virgin Islands Tourism Summit 2025 is carded for January 16 to 17, 2025 at Peter Island Resort.
School admissions for 2025/2026 academic year now underway
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI—The Ministry of Education, Youth Affairs and Sports of the Virgin Islands has commenced new student registrations for the 2025/2026 academic year. The registration period began January 2, 2025, and will continue up to April 30, 2025.
Follow Us On
Local News
Recent Comments
- Some questions on 'We cannot preside over a gangster's paradise'— Premier Wheatley
- .. on 'We cannot preside over a gangster's paradise'— Premier Wheatley
- Interesting on Treasury Department to have VI certified staff by 2026- SFC Report
- ------------------------------ on RVIPF ‘resetting, regrouping & reclaiming’ core values- Ag CoP Vanterpool
- Fam on Local Calypso icon Bennet L. Brewley aka ‘The Mighty Lord Strawn’ passes
