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January 11th, 2025
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.

January 10th, 2025
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.

January 10th, 2025
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.

January 10th, 2025
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.

January 10th, 2025
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.

January 10th, 2025
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.

January 10th, 2025
Powerboat destroyed by fire in Frenchman's Cay

FRENCHMAN'S CAY, VI- A powerboat was destroyed by fire last evening, Thursday, January 9, 2025.

January 10th, 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.

January 9th, 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.

January 9th, 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.

January 9th, 2025
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.

January 9th, 2025
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.

January 9th, 2025
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.

January 8th, 2025
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.

January 8th, 2025
'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.

January 8th, 2025
'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.

January 8th, 2025
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.

January 8th, 2025
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.

January 8th, 2025
‘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.

January 8th, 2025
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).

January 7th, 2025
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.

January 7th, 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.

January 7th, 2025
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.

January 7th, 2025
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.

January 7th, 2025
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.

January 7th, 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.

January 6th, 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.

January 6th, 2025
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.

January 6th, 2025
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.

January 6th, 2025
USVI: 2 police officers shot while responding to domestic violence incident

VI CONSORTIUM

FREDERIKSTED, St Croix, USVI- A domestic violence situation in Lorraine Village escalated into gunfire on Sunday night, January 5, 2025, resulting in the death of a shooter and injuries to two police officers. US [VI] Police Department officials detailed the tense events and issued stern warnings to the public following the incident.

January 6th, 2025
Natasha J. Chalwell is the new Deputy Director of Tourism

PORT PURCELL, Tortola, VI— As firstly and accurately reported by Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) in August 2024, Mrs Natasha J. Chalwell has been appointed Deputy Director of Tourism for the BVI Tourism Board & Film Commission (BVITBFC).

January 6th, 2025
Good Guys outplay Pirate King in Filipino basketball competition

DUFF’S BOTTOM, Tortola, VI—The Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW) in the Virgin Islands (VI) kicked off the new year with a vibrant celebration of camaraderie and athleticism through its highly anticipated New Year’s Slam Basketball Tournament on January 4 and 5, 2025.

January 5th, 2025
Nominations open for VI Icon Awards 2025

ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI—The Virgin Islands Icon Awards returns in 2025 with a refreshed list of categories to celebrate exceptional talent and achievement, with the introduction of 5 new categories, bringing the total to 22.

January 5th, 2025
USVI: Fatal shooting in Bovoni marks first homicide for 2025

VI CONSORTIUM

BOVONI, St. Thomas, USVI- Authorities are investigating a fatal shooting that occurred Saturday evening in the Bovoni area of St. Thomas — the first homicide in the USVI for 2025.

January 5th, 2025
FSC begins maintenance of Beneficial Ownership Register

PARAQUITA BAY, Tortola, VI- Effective January 2, 2025, the BVI Financial Services Commission (FSC) began maintaining registers of beneficial ownership for all registered BVI Business Companies and Limited Partnerships.

January 5th, 2025
BVI Cancer Society receives $3K from Vanterpool Enterprises

ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- The BVI Cancer Society was at the receiving end of a cash donation from Vanterpool Enterprises Ltd. on Friday, January 3, 2025.

January 4th, 2025
VI poised for a ‘banner-year’ with surging tourism & sustainability focus- Clive L. McCoy

ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI—The Virgin Islands (VI) is experiencing a resurgence in its tourism sector following years of challenges from Hurricanes Irma and Maria, which were further compounded by the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

January 4th, 2025
Colombian jailed for smuggling Venezuelan migrants via VI

CHARLOTTE AMALIE, St. Thomas, USVI- The Virgin Islands (VI) has been linked to a recent case of illegal migrant smuggling that resulted in the conviction and sentencing of William Giraldo Cabanzo, 59, of Colombia.

January 4th, 2025
USVI: Cement truck accident in St. Thomas claims life of driver

VI CONSORTIUM

SMITH BAY, St. Thomas, USVI-An accident in the Smith Bay area on Friday morning claimed the life of a cement truck driver after his vehicle went off the hillside and overturned multiple times, the V.I. Police Department has announced.

January 4th, 2025
Mrs BVI organisation receives $15K from Premier’s Office ahead of Mrs Globe

ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- Premier and Minister of Finance Dr the Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) committed $15,000 to assist the Mrs BVI Organization as they prepare to send off three women to represent the Territory on the global stage.

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