The BVI Health Services Authority’s watchword for the year is “change,” and a new and expanded laboratory launched last week embodies that goal, according to acting BVIHSA CEO Dr. June …
Court declines to toss case linked to fatal boat wreck
Emotions flared last week in Magistrates’ Court when a defence lawyer requested the dismissal of the case against a man allegedly involved in the boat crash that killed Frandy Martin …
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College gets multi-purpose court
As part of efforts to improve the lives of students at the H. Lavity Stoutt Community College, a new multi-purpose court was built on the “slab” that has long stood …
15 of 50 Commission of Inquiry reforms complete
The National Unity Government has made steady progress on the reforms promised following the Commission of Inquiry, but amid various challenges it is now asking the United Kingdom to extend …
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Oil spill training under way again
Twenty senior public officers participated in a recent training session designed to improve the coordination, management and planning of oil spill responses, according to Government Information Services. More sessions are …
Premier hosts financial services ‘roundtable’
Public company registers, sanctions and ongoing legislative reforms in the Virgin Islands were among the topics discussed when Premier Dr. Natalio “Sowande” Wheatley hosted a financial services roundtable during his …
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Online tax system promised in March
Starting in March, a new online tax system will allow residents to pay their taxes via the government’s e-payment gateway, according to the Inland Revenue Department. The Standard Integrated Government …
Cabinet Briefs (Dec. 14, 15 & 20, 2022)
Governor John Rankin chaired Cabinet meetings on Dec. 14 and 15, and then-acting Governor David Archer Jr. chaired another on Dec. 20. All members were present at all meetings except …
14 graduate from home care programme
Graduates of a three-month intensive course in home care facilitated by the BVI Red Cross accepted their certificates, joined in a song, and revelled in the camaraderie of their shared …
Premier reports progress on medical pot
Upon returning from his trip to the United Kingdom last week, Premier Dr. Natalio “Sowande” Wheatley reported progress toward his administration’s goal of legalising medical marijuana. However, two related laws …
Throne speech promises wide-ranging reforms
Reforms to governance, education, environmental protection, health care and other areas are among the government’s legislative priorities for a new House of Assembly session that started Tuesday, Governor John Rankin …
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Virgin Islands rings in the New Year
At its annual celebration of the end of one year and start of another, Foxy’s Tamarind Bar on Jost Van Dyke welcomed sizable crowds to ring in 2023. Partygoers packed …
Wheatley meets with Overseas Territories minister in London
The day after returning from a trip to the United Kingdom to meet with the newly appointed minister for overseas territories, Premier Dr. Natalio “Sowande” Wheatley said he wasn’t able …
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Christmas bird count turns up rare finds
The strikingly bright scarlet ibis is not a common sight in the Virgin Islands, but it has occasionally been spotted around the territory since its 2010 introduction to Necker Island. …
Trade struggles with understaffing, mould
Applying for a trade licence may get easier next month if government is able to launch an online “gateway” designed to help ad- dress longstanding challenges faced by the Department …
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Government to relaunch online work permit system
Work permit delays may soon be minimised by an online system that officials hope to relaunch by the end of March, but staffing constraints and other issues continue to pose …
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Dogs put down following ‘vicious attacks’
Police ordered four dogs to be euthanised over the weekend following several “vicious attacks” that injured people or livestock, they said. In the latest incident, a dog entered a property …
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DPP reviews year in Standing Finance Committee meeting
Through Nov. 15, the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions had secured 152 convictions and seen 94 acquittals in the Magistrates’ Court in 2022, DPP Tiffany Scatliffe-Esprit told legislators …
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Police stations under fire in Standing Finance Committee
Officers at the Virgin Gorda Police Station came in for sharp criticism last month when Police Commissioner Mark Collins appeared before the House of Assembly’s Standing Finance Committee, according to …
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11,000 kilos of coke, 68 firearms seized last year
The Royal Virgin Islands Police Force seized at least 11,000 kilograms of cocaine from January through November of last year, along with at least 68 firearms and 2,064 rounds of …
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Overseas Territories likely ineligible for UN climate fund
During the final days of the annual United Nations Climate Change Conference last November in Egypt, negotiators from some 200 countries forged an agreement to create a “loss-and -damage” fund …
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20 migrants detained on Virgin Gorda
Twenty Haitian migrants were detained on Virgin Gorda on Monday morning after illegally entering the territory, according to the Immigration Department and the Police Information Office. The migrants were found …
Police hand out gas vouchers
More than 20 motorists received complimentary gas vouchers during Christmas week through a collaboration organised by the Community Policing Unit and Bob’s Gas Station, the Police Information Office announced last …
Early arrival numbers up 42%
Tourist arrivals during November and December totalled 40,950, up about 42 percent from 28,857 in the same period in 2021, Premier Dr. Natalio “Sowande” Wheatley announced Friday in apparent reference …
Ground broken for Anegada solar grid
The BVI Electricity Corporation broke ground on a major Anegada solar plant last month after more than two years of delays, but no planning application has been submitted for the …