A sexting scandal has upended the leadership of a British parliamentary committee probing the United Kingdom’s relationship with its overseas territories, but members told the Beacon they are nevertheless on track to produce their findings by July as planned. Political drama exploded in London after...
April 26, 2024
April 26, 2024
Haitians’ future unclear after more migrants found
An incident last week brought the total number of migrants apprehended here over an approximately two-month period to at least 86, including 52 Haitian men, women and children the government has struggled to process due to restrictions on sending them back to their violence-plagued country....
April 26, 2024
No cap on cruise visitors despite rapid rise
Cruise ship passenger arrivals are expected to hit a new record this year and then continue climbing, but no upper limit has been set, according to Communications and Works Minister Kye Rymer. “That’s a conversation we would be having with the stakeholders, and we want...
April 25, 2024
Homeowners promised solar option
The BVI Electricity Corporation is implementing an initiative to bring solar energy to more Virgin Islands households, Communications and Works Minister Kye Rymer announced during a press conference last Thursday. Through the Solar Technology Energy Programme, also known as STEP, homeowners will be able to...
April 26, 2024
$1.8 million to help fix worst roads
While government continues to consider the lone bid of about $37 million for 38 miles of roadwork across the territory, $1.8 million has been allocated to carry out remedial works on some of the most “deplorable” streets, according to Communications and Works Minister Kye Rymer....
April 25, 2024
Fraud busters hold conference here
Some of the world’s top asset-recovery lawyers were among more than 100 people from about 30 countries who gathered at Scrub Island Resort last week for a global anti-fraud conference that was celebrating its 20th anniversary. The ICC FraudNet International Conference and Meeting was hosted...
April 22, 2024
2023 incorporations hit 25-year low
The number of new companies incorporated in the Virgin Islands in 2023 slumped to its lowest level for 25 years, new figures show. The tally for the final quarter of the year plunged by 12.58 percent compared to the same period in 2022, according to...
April 19, 2024
Smith hits back after Labour MP’s ‘dirty money’ claims
Deputy Premier Lorna Smith pushed back this week after the Virgin Islands and other overseas territories were accused of deliberately defying the British parliament’s attempts to crack down on “dirty money.” Dame Margaret Hodge, a veteran Labour member of parliament and frequent critic of the...
April 19, 2024
Marine base handed over
After their base sustained major damage from hurricanes Irma and Maria in 2017, marine police now have a new, expanded building that they will share with customs and immigration officers. Fourteen months after construction began, the Recovery and Development Agency handed over the renamed Virgin...
April 18, 2024
Burt Point sewage plant back online
The Burt Point sewage treatment plant is operational again for the first time since it sustained major damage during Hurricane Irma in 2017. Extensive repairs on the facility were completed recently by Biwater International Limited — the contractor that built the plant and a similar...
