Local News
A 150M Challenge – Kyron McMaster v Rikkoi Braithwaite – Who Will Win?
British Virgin Islanders may soon be in for a track and field first – a friendly 150m race between World Athletics Championships 400m hurdles silver medalist Kyron McMaster and 100m sprinting sensation Rikkoi Braithwaite.
The challenge between the two friends was made public during a post-race interview with McMaster on August 23 in Budapest, Hungary.
“I ready for the smoke. Rikko cannot beat me in a 150,” insisted a smiling McMaster. “I does run 21 seconds over hurdles.”
Not to be outdone. Braithwaite interjected on camera.
“You ain’t beating me in a 150. I does run 10.09983 in a 100,” Braithwaite laughed.
A 150m track battle between McMaster and Braithwaite would be one for the territory’s track and field record book.
On August 23, McMaster won a silver medal, crossing the final line in 47.34 seconds, behind Karzten Warholm who won his third World title with a time of 46.89 seconds.
McMaster is a two-time Commonwealth Gold medalist and two-time World Championships finalist with a personal best and seasonal best of of 47.08 and 47.26, in that order. The 26-year-old also holds the BVI’s national record in that event.
Braithwaite this year competed in his first 100m race at the World Athletics Championships.
The 24-year-old finished fifth place in Heat Six with a time of 10.18 seconds, just missing a non-automatic qualification spot by.02 seconds.
He is ranked 62nd in the Men’s 100m race and is the current 100m national record holder with a time of 10.09 seconds and 60m dash record holder with a time of 6.52 seconds.
At the end of his interview, McMaster challenged the public to vote on who they believe will win a 150m race.
“I want y’all as the public to actually vote on this and we going to make this happen,” McMaster smiled.
The Royal Virgin Islands Police Force has confirmed that Tarik Aaron was arrested shortly before midnight on Friday, April 17, on extradition orders issued by authorities in the United States Virgin Islands, and has since appeared before the Magistrate’s Court.
According to police, the arrest was carried out in connection with a request from USVI authorities, though further details have not been disclosed.
Aaron appeared before the Magistrate’s Court today and was denied bail.
Further updates are expected as more information becomes available.
The Civil Registry and Passport Office has announced an increase in fees for United Kingdom passports, effective April 8, 2026.
According to the office, the revised fees apply to new, renewal and replacement passport applications, as well as other related services.
Under the new structure, the cost for a new, renewal or replacement adult passport has been set at £116.50, while the fee for a child passport is £75.50. Adult frequent traveller passports will cost £130.50, and child frequent traveller passports £89.50.
The fee for changes to an existing passport will also be £116.50. In addition, a delivery fee of £14.32 will apply.
The Civil Registry and Passport Office advised that the updated fees are now in effect and apply to all relevant applications submitted on or after April 8.
A bill proposing wide-ranging changes to the Virgin Islands’ electoral system was introduced in the House of Assembly today, Tuesday, April 22, by Premier and Minister of Finance, Honourable Dr. Natalio D. Wheatley.
The proposed Elections (Amendment) Act, 2026, is based on consultations with stakeholders and recommendations from observer missions, as well as input from the Deputy Governor’s Office and the Office of the Supervisor of Elections.
“This is the Elections Amendment Act 2026, following extensive deliberations with a number of entities, including a committee of the House who looked at recommendations of various observer missions that came to The Virgin Islands,” Hon. Wheatley said during the continuation of the Second Sitting of the Third Session of the Fifth House of Assembly.
He said the bill also builds on work undertaken by the previous House of Assembly. “Also, the last House of Assembly looked at a number of recommendations that were forwarded through the Deputy Governor’s Office and the Office of the Supervisor of Elections,” he said.
Hon. Wheatley said the proposed amendments were developed through discussions on changes to the Elections Act. “We had very extensive discussions about amendments to the Elections Act, and of course, those recommendations were used to make this Amendment Act. This received its first reading some time ago, and now we are here to debate this Elections Act, so that it can therefore become law,” he said.
The bill introduces several reforms to the electoral framework, including expanded access to voting through mobile and curbside options for individuals with physical limitations and the formal use of assistive technologies for voters with disabilities.
It also provides for the establishment of a Department of Elections and an Elections Advisory Committee to oversee voter registration and election administration.
Additional provisions include a formal Code of Conduct for political parties and candidates, along with new rules governing campaign donations and political financing.
The legislation also proposes restrictions on the announcement of major public grants or projects shortly before an election, aimed at addressing potential incumbency advantages.
The bill has already received its first reading and is expected to be referred to a committee when the House of Assembly resumes on April 30, 2026, at 10 a.m., where it will undergo further review as part of the legislative process.
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