Law enforcement personnel complete UK-funded training course
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- Officers from the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force, Financial Investigation Agency, Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, and the Attorney General’s Chambers underwent training to strengthen their capabilities in financial investigations.
ESHS Inter-Secondary Chess Tournament champions
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI – In a riveting culmination to the 2024 Inter-Secondary Chess Tournament, Elmore Stoutt High School (ESHS) emerged victorious, clinching first place in both the junior and senior categories.
USVI: Richmond shooter opens vehicle door before killing victim
VI CONSORTIUM
RICHMOND, St. Croix, USVI- The V.I. Police Department’s Criminal Investigation Bureau is investigating a fatal shooting that took place on Friday, December 13. The incident, which occurred near the basketball court in the DeChabert Housing Community in Richmond, resulted in the death of a male victim and marked the 42nd homicide in the U.S. Virgin Islands this year.
Public offficers recognised for their many years of service
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- Over seven hundred (700) public officers were recognised for their service during a Public Service Employee Recognition Ceremony which was held by the Office of the Deputy Governor and the Department of Human Resources.
Suspected cannabis worth over $700K found by Customs
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- The Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) has reported the interception of a large quantity of suspected cannabis.
Trump and de dollarization 2
By Dickson C. Igwe
Donald Trump and his Make America Great Again Agenda has one Achilles Heel. A weakness that will test the limits of US power and Trump’s ability to drive his America First Agenda: the rise of the South. The South were former colonies of European empires. Today they are emerging economic and military powers. The US hegemony over the globe may be ending.
14 received Unite BVI Kickstart Small Business Loan
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- Fourteen applicants who underwent training and successfully met requirements for the Unite BVI Kickstart Small Business Loan Programme 2024 were awarded contracts under cohort three of the programme.
Hon Lorna G. Smith's Roots to Resilience Programme launched
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- The multi-faceted community development programme, Roots to Resilience: Together We Thrive was officially launched on December 6, 2024.
USVI: VIPD seeks help in locating 2 murder suspects
VI CONSORTIUM
FREDERIKSTED, St. Croix, USVI- The V.I. Police Department is actively searching for two suspects wanted for first-degree murder: Carlos Ayala, 19, and his uncle, Casey Rivera, 36. Both men are considered armed and dangerous, and authorities are urging the public to come forward with any information on their whereabouts.
‘We’ve been convinced sharing our money with [USVI] is a good thing’- Elvin G. Grant
BAUGHERS BAY, Tortola, VI- The proverbial ‘eating-of-the pie’ by neighbouring US Virgin Islands (USVI) regarding Tourism in the Territory and if the industry is to survive and thrive in the future were among some of the challenges identified during an end of year Talking Points broadcast, on ZBVI 780 AM on December 9, 2024.
RCCT to bring Christmas cheer @ Toy Giveaway
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- The Rotary Club of Central Tortola (RCCT) will bring joy and the holiday spirit to the community with their annual Toy Giveaway on Saturday, December 14, 2024, at the Cyril B. Romney Pier Park.
More upgrades to East End Community Park coming- Hon Penn
EAST END, Tortola, VI- Hon Marlon A. Penn (R8) has told his constituents that more upgrades will be coming to the East End Community Park in the New Year.
Gov't leaking reservoirs contribute greatly to water loss
SEA COWS BAY, Tortola, VI- While many residents continue to opine about the lack of potable water supply, in many areas the Government is at fault.
Police charged 6 in November for various firearm offences
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- Six persons were slapped with various charges relating to firearm offences in November, the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) has disclosed in its Arrest Blotter for November 1-30, 2024.
Governor assents to 'modernised' Public Assistance (Amendment) Act, 2024
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- The Public Assistance (Amendment) Act, 2024 has been assented to by His Excellency the Governor, Daniel Pruce, modernising the 2013 legislation to provide more inclusive and effective support.
Insurance corporation formed to protect bank deposits
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- The Virgin Islands Deposit Insurance Corporation (VIDIC) has tagged the opening of its office as “historic for the British Virgin Islands” as it has come in line with bigger countries like the United States of America (USA) protecting deposits of customers of banks.
Oil Nut Bay gives $5K to assist wheelchair bound female to walk again
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- It was some 23 years ago that Rayah N.B. Fonseca was struck by a car at Brandy Wine Bay on Tortola. She was five years old then and has been wheelchair-bound since.
Jermaine A. Ricketts sets new course record in West End 2 Mile Run
WEST END, Tortola, VI- Jermaine A. Ricketts used his road racing experience to good effect to win the West End 2 Mile Run held on December 7, 2024.
Consultations & educational drive begin on Public Service Management Act, 2024
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- The Office of the Deputy Governor has embarked on an initiative themed ‘Transforming Together’ as they bring the now assented to Public Service Management Act, 2024 to public officers and the public.
Public Alert: Robert Rekis not licensed or regulated by FSC
PASEA ESTATE, Tortola, VI- The BVI Financial Services Commission (FSC) has issued a public statement stating Robert Rekis has “never been licensed or regulated by the FSC to carry on any type of financial services business”.
Talking Points zoom in on Territorial pride & infrastructure woes
BAUGHERS BAY, Tortola, VI—The British Virgin Islands (BVI) is at a critical juncture, facing pressing challenges in infrastructure maintenance, economic policy, and cultural pride. These were among some of the issues candidly explored during a lively discussion on Talking Points, a ZBVI 780 AM radio programme aired on December 9, 2024.
RVIPF has made ‘good progress’- Governor Pruce
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- Governor Daniel Pruce has said there is room for the United Kingdom (UK) to assist the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) in improving in many areas.
PwC forensic audit lifts lid on dubious financial practices @ BVITB
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI—The leaked forensic investigation conducted by PricewaterhouseCoopers Advisory Services Limited (PwC) into the operations of the British Virgin Islands Tourist Board (BVITB), has brought to the public spotlight, critical shortcomings in the entity’s financial management, compliance, and oversight—including but not limited to glaringly unjustified financial adjustments to formal records, conflict of interest and outright corrupt procurement practices.
Deliver or ‘you will not be worthy of re-election’- Skelton-Cline to VIP gov’t
BAUGHERS BAY, Tortola, VI- "Dr. Wheatley and your team, you have a chance to improve the quality of life for the people of these Virgin Islands, but you must hasten your steps; before you know it, it will be 2027, and if you don't deliver, you will not be worthy of re-election."
BVI Food Fete 2025 kicks off on Valentine's Day
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- BVI Food Fete 2025 was officially launched under the theme ‘Savour the Flavour’ with a Media Breakfast Launch at Taste the BVI at the Cyril B. Romney Tortola Pier Park on Friday, December 6, 2024.
Major road & water supply upgrades for Manchester
MANCHESTER, Tortola, VI- Ongoing road and water infrastructure projects in the Manchester area are aimed at addressing long-standing issues of water ponding and outdated water distribution systems, Minister for Communications and Works Honourable Kye M. Rymer (R5) has said.
BVIAA ‘intentional’ about improving access to intra-regional travel- Hon Rymer
TRELLIS BAY, Beef Island, VI- Minister for Communications and Works Hon Kye M. Rymer (R5) has said the BVI Airports Authority (BVIAA) has been intentional in stepping up to bring more airlines into the Virgin Islands to increase the availability of intra-regional travel.
VI infrastructure ‘not ready’ for minimum wage increase- DJ Commodore
BAUGHERS BAY, Tortola, VI- The deferral of the minimum wage increase for the Virgin Islands was one of the key topics discussed on the final Talking Points for the year on Monday, December 9, 2024, on ZBVI 780 AM.
Inter-Secondary School Chess Tournament on this week
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- Seven schools will compete in the Ministry of Education, Youth Affairs and Sports’ Inter-Secondary School Chess Tournament which begins this week.
Christmas in the City kept ‘city alight’ - Mrs Brathwaite-Edwards
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- The 26th edition of Christmas in the City has been labelled a success by City Manager Mrs Janice E.L. Brathwaite-Edwards.
PwC report shows governance & payroll irregularities @ BVITB
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- A confidential forensic investigation report by PricewaterhouseCoopers Advisory Services Limited (PwC), has exposed significant governance, payroll, and compliance ‘lapses’ at the BVI Tourist Board (BVITB).
USVI: Anti-drug trafficking measure co-sponsored by Plaskett clears house
VI CONSORTIUM
WASHINGTON DC, USA- Last year, Congresswoman Stacey Plaskett announced that she had joined her Puerto Rican counterpart Congresswoman Jenniffer Gonzalez-Colon to introduce the Caribbean Border Counternarcotics Strategy Act, H.R. 920.
BVIOC board to leave ‘solid foundation’ for future leaders- Mr Ephraim E. Penn
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- President of the BVI Olympic Committee (BVIOC) Mr Ephraim E. Penn has said the recently elected executive board of the BVIOC wants to leave a solid foundation for their successors.
LIAT 2020’s inaugural call to VI
TRELLIS BAY, Beef Island, VI- LIAT (2020) Limited made its inaugural call to the Terrence B Lettsome International Airport, Beef Island last night, December 8, 2024.
Dame Janice M. Pereira officially begins duty on Privy Council
LONDON, England, UK- Former Chief Justice of the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court (ECSC) and one of the newest members to His Majesty King Charles III’s Privy Council, the Right Hon Dame Janice M. Pereira, DBE, has officially walked into the history books yet again as she attends her first case on Privy Council.
Ivan Dawson Primary School gifted $1,000 from ‘Adult Spell-Off Initiative’
CANE GARDEN BAY, Tortola, VI- A wave of celebration swept through the Ivan Dawson Primary School on Thursday, December 5, 2024, as students and staff warmly welcomed a team of distinguished visitors, led by Deputy Governor David D. Archer Jr., Hon Melvin M. Turnbull (R2), and Adult Spell-Off co-producers Darryl E. F. Flanders and Mandisa Frett, to present a $1,000 cheque to the school—a generous contribution from the Virgin Islands Adult Spell-Off initiative in collaboration with the Public Service Week Com
New Service Commission appointments announced
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- The Office of the Deputy Governor announced new appointments to various Service Commissions which were confirmed in 2024.
USVI: 'Soup for Your Soul' Festival to celebrate local cuisine & community unity
VI CONSORTIUM
FREDERIKSTED, St. Croix, USVI- The inaugural Soup for Your Soul Festival, organized by House of Printing, is set to take place on Sunday, December 15, from 1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at Buddhoe Park in Frederiksted.
Football programme launched in schools
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- A new sports programme for schools has been launched in the Virgin Islands (VI) by the Ministry of Education, Sports and Youth Affairs.
UK-backed enhancements to strengthen security & safety @ HMP
BALSAM GHUT, Tortola, VI- The Government of the United Kingdom (UK) has delivered on a promise to boost the British Virgin Islands’ prison system, located in Balsam Ghut, Tortola with a comprehensive support package aimed at enhancing security, operational efficiency, and staff protection at His Majesty’s Prison (HMP).
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