AMERICAN AIRLINES PLANE & U.S. ARMY HELICOPTER COLLIDE – SEVERAL FATALITIES CONFIRMED

A large-scale search and rescue operation is underway after a devastating mid-air collision between an American Airlines passenger jet and a US Army Black Hawk helicopter near Reagan National Airport on Wednesday night. The crash involved American Airlines Flight 5342, operated by PSA Airlines, which was carrying 64 passengers from Wichita, Kansas, to Washington, DC. … Continued

WALWYN SAYS BVI LACKS SUPPORT FOR POST-SECONDARY DEVELOPMENT

Sixth District Representative Myron Walwyn is advocating for the reinstatement of the Virgin Islands Emerging Fellows Grant, saying the youth development program should never have been removed from the Ministry of Education’s portfolio. Walwyn, who previously served as Minister for Education, emphasized the program’s role in providing professional development opportunities for promising young Virgin Islanders … Continued

FRENCH NATIONALS KILLED AS AIRCRAFT GOES DOWN IN DOMINICA 

French authorities have launched an involuntary manslaughter investigation following a plane crash in Dominica that killed four French nationals, the Fort-de-France prosecutor’s office announced Monday. The Cessna 172 aircraft crashed Sunday in mountainous terrain near the southeastern village of La Plaine shortly after departing from Douglas-Charles Airport bound for Martinique. The plane took off at … Continued

THE MISSIVE OF MISS BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS NO.2 RELEASED

Miss British Virgin Islands 2024-2025, Adacia Adonis, has released the second edition of her official newsletter, offering readers a glimpse into her journey of service, empowerment, and cultural celebration. In this latest issue, Adonis recounts her recent experiences, from walking in solidarity at the CIBC Breast Cancer Awareness Walk to championing women’s empowerment at the … Continued

PREMIER ASSURES EFFORTS TO ADDRESS GUN-RELATED INCIDENTS

With the recent rise in gun-related crimes in the British Virgin Islands, questions have surfaced about the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force’s ability to handle the escalating situation and whether external assistance from the United Kingdom may be necessary. During a recent press conference, Premier and Minister of Finance Dr. the Hon. Natalio Wheatley acknowledged … Continued

RVIPF TO UNVEIL NEW COMMUNITY POLICING-ORIENTED STRATEGY

The Royal Virgin Islands Police Force is set to unveil a new Community Policing-oriented strategy in January 2025, following the dismantling of its previous initiative. This update emerged during recent Standing Finance Committee deliberations, where it was revealed that the once highly-regarded programme aimed at fostering trust between the police and residents had been stalled. … Continued

ICE PRESENCE INTENSIFIES IN USVI

Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents have increased their presence at key maritime entry points in the United States Virgin Islands, conducting document checks and detaining individuals, though local authorities say they received no advance notice of the operations. The enhanced enforcement follows President Donald Trump’s recent executive order titled “Protecting the American People Against Invasion.” … Continued

FIVE BVISLANDERS AMONG THOUSANDS FACING U.S. DEPORTATION

Five British Virgin Islanders are among the 1.4 million non-citizens in the United States who have received final orders of removal, according to a November 2024 report from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). These individuals are set to be deported back to the territory as part of ongoing immigration enforcement measures under the administration … Continued

NEW WORK PERMIT EXEMPTIONS UNDER MINISTER’S DISCRETION STILL ON HOLD

The Ministry of Financial Services, Labour, and Trade is reminding residents of the temporary suspension of new applications for work permit exemptions under the Minister’s Discretion category. The ministry originally issued a notice on April 11, 2024, of the immediate suspension of the policy and noted that it was seeking to streamline processes and enhance … Continued