Twelve Royal Virgin Islands Police Force officers currently interdicted from duty continue to receive partial salaries, some for up to eight years so far. This is according to the Acting Commissioner of Police Jacqueline Vanterpool who made the comments during deliberations before the Standing Finance Committee in 2024. The suspended officers, primarily sergeants and constables, … Continued
Opposition Leader Hon. Ronnie Skelton challenged the government’s celebration of record tourism numbers, arguing that the territory’s high proportion of cruise ship visitors overshadows more economically significant overnight stays. The criticism comes as the Virgin Islands marks a milestone of 1,092,139 tourist arrivals in 2024, a 9.8% increase from 2023. While cruise visitors accounted for … Continued
SpaceX’s latest Starship test flight ended in destruction Thursday after achieving a rare booster capture, marking another dramatic chapter in the development of the world’s largest rocket. The spacecraft, carrying 10 dummy satellites, broke apart approximately eight and a half minutes into flight after its engines shut down one by one during ascent. The last … Continued
The Virgin Islands welcomed more than one million visitors in 2024, marking only the second time the territory has achieved this milestone since its first million-visitor year in 2016, Premier Natalio Wheatley announced. Tourist arrivals reached 1,092,139 in 2024, representing a 9.8% increase from 994,896 visitors in 2023, according to the Central Statistics Office. The … Continued
Twelve Royal Virgin Islands Police Force officers are currently interdicted from duty, primarily for breach of trust offences, Acting Commissioner Jacqueline Vanterpool revealed Wednesday. Speaking at a press conference, Vanterpool said the affected officers, mostly sergeants and constables, face charges including aggravated bodily harm, assault, and theft. Vanterpool also provided a brief insight into how … Continued
Four high-ranking USVI officials, including current Sports Commissioner Calvert White, pleaded not guilty Friday to federal charges alleging they participated in separate bribery and fraud schemes involving government contracts. White appeared in District Court alongside former Police Commissioner Ray Martinez, former Budget Director Jenifer O’Neal, and government contractor Benjamin Hendricks. All four were released on … Continued
The Princess of Wales announced Tuesday her cancer is in remission, sharing the news during a visit to the Royal Marsden Hospital in London where she received treatment earlier this year. Kate expressed gratitude for the medical care she received at the world-leading cancer center, known for its pioneering research. “We couldn’t have asked for … Continued
The British Virgin Islands will host its first-ever Tourism Summit next week at the newly reopened Peter Island Resort, marking what Premier Dr. the Hon. Natalio Wheatley describes as a strategic move to elevate the territory’s tourism sector. The event will feature keynote addresses from various industry professionals representing local and regional agencies. Premier Wheatley … Continued
China’s Foreign Ministry has dismissed claims about an “unknown” respiratory virus as fearmongering, stating the Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) has been documented for at least 60 years. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said Wednesday that respiratory infections in China are currently lower than last year’s levels, despite typical winter increases in the Northern Hemisphere.The World Health … Continued
The Virgin Islands’ entire beach safety programme currently operates with only two lifeguards stationed at Josiah’s Bay and Smuggler’s Cove, Chief Fire Officer Zebulon McLean reiterated during Standing Finance Committee deliberations. During questioning from Second District Representative Hon. Melvin Turnbull about lifeguard staffing levels, McLean explained these two beaches were designated for coverage amid limited … Continued
