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Government Launches Registration Drive for Employment and Training Opportunities

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Premier Natalio Wheatley speaks at Market Square opening ceremony in Road Town, Tortola

The Government of the Virgin Islands has initiated a Registration Drive aimed at expanding employment, training, and education prospects for unemployed individuals in the region. This drive is facilitated through the Registration Apprenticeship Training Employment and Development (RATED) Programme, offering temporary employment opportunities within various ministries and departments in the Public Service.

Named “Coming to a District Near You,” the initiative is scheduled to take place from January 22 to January 31 in each electoral district. Its objective is to provide employment, training, and educational avenues for Virgin Islanders and Belongers aged 18 to 70 who are either unemployed or working part-time.

Expressing enthusiasm about the new drive under the RATED programme, Premier and Minister of Finance Honourable Dr. Natalio Wheatley stated, “I am pleased to see this new initiative, ‘Coming to a District Near You.’ This is yet further proof that we are on our way to achieving our goals through the RATED programme, which is to change lives, enhance skills, and develop future entrepreneurs, one person at a time.”

Premier Wheatley also discussed the future of the RATED programme, outlining plans to enhance its offerings and extend more benefits to the people of the Virgin Islands.

Encouraging participation, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Environment, Natural Resources, and Climate Change, Mr. Ronald Smith-Berkeley, invited interested individuals to make a special effort to attend and register during the drive. He highlighted the positive impact the RATED programme has had on the lives of many Virgin Islanders and Belongers, with some securing permanent employment as a result.

“We have taken notice of the positive impact, and that is why we have launched ‘Coming to a District Near You,’ to ensure that everyone hears about RATED, and those interested and eligible can sign up to be a part of this Programme,” added Mr. Smith-Berkeley.

Interested individuals are requested to present documents, including a BVI Passport or Belonger Card, National Health Insurance (NHI) Card, Social Security Card, and a CV for those interested in office employment.

The RATED Programme encompasses various areas of interest, including Landscaping/Bush Cutting, Painting, Construction, Carpentry, Marine, Administration, Data Entry, Communications/Public Relations, Agriculture/Fisheries, Janitorial Services, Legal/Professional Services, Real Estate, and Hospitality.

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Major Drug and Weapon Seizures Mark Strong Start to 2025 for BVI Police

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The Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) carried out a series of high-impact operations in the first quarter of 2025, resulting in significant seizures of illegal drugs, firearms, and ammunition. The enforcement actions, part of a broader crackdown on criminal activity, reflect stepped-up efforts to disrupt narcotics distribution and remove unlicensed weapons from the streets.

The operations are part of intensified efforts to disrupt drug trafficking and remove unlicensed weapons from circulation.

Between January and March, RVIPF officers confiscated more than 12 kilograms of cannabis, 2,900 mature cannabis plants, and 2,447 seedlings. The seizures are part of an ongoing initiative to dismantle local drug distribution networks and reduce the availability of illicit substances across the islands.

In parallel with drug enforcement operations, police also recovered seven pistols and two rifles—exceeding the number of firearms seized during the same period in 2024. Ammunition confiscations more than doubled, rising from 152 rounds in early 2024 to 389 rounds in the first three months of this year.

Authorities noted a high charge rate in possession cases, underscoring what the RVIPF described as a continued zero-tolerance policy toward illegal weaponry. The enforcement activity is supported by intelligence-led policing and strengthened community cooperation.

“These results reflect the success of targeted enforcement strategies and community partnerships,” the RVIPF said in a statement accompanying the release of the data.

The figures were published alongside broader crime statistics indicating that serious criminal offenses, including assaults, sexual offenses, and burglaries, have reached their lowest first-quarter levels in five years. Police attributed the overall decline to coordinated operations and increased public engagement.

The RVIPF has committed to maintaining its current pace of enforcement through the remainder of the year.

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Pope Francis Dies at 88: World Mourns Transformative Leader of the Catholic Church

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Pope Francis, the 266th pontiff of the Roman Catholic Church and the first from the Americas, died on Sunday at the age of 88, bringing an end to a historic papacy defined by humility, social advocacy, and efforts to modernise the Church. The Vatican confirmed his death late Sunday evening in a brief statement, noting he passed away peacefully at the Apostolic Palace, surrounded by senior clergy and aides.

Born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Pope Francis was elected to the papacy in 2013 following the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI. His elevation as the first Jesuit pope and the first from the Global South signalled a shift in the Church’s global focus. His leadership inspired millions, particularly in Latin America and the Caribbean, where his messages of compassion, environmental stewardship, and economic justice found deep resonance.

Over his 12-year papacy, Pope Francis worked tirelessly to address some of the most complex issues facing the modern Church—sexual abuse scandals, declining attendance, and widening political divides. He was both praised and criticised for his efforts to reach across ideological lines, calling for greater inclusion within the Church, particularly towards the LGBTQ community, divorced Catholics, and interfaith dialogue.

In the Caribbean, a region with a deep Catholic heritage, Pope Francis was seen as a moral voice and a beacon of reform. His 2015 visit to Cuba helped pave the way for a historic thaw in US–Cuba relations, while his outspoken stance on climate change galvanised support for environmental movements across island nations vulnerable to rising sea levels and intensifying hurricanes.

“Pope Francis was a man of the people. His commitment to the poor, the marginalised, and our common home touched the lives of many here in the Caribbean,” said Bishop Harold Richards of the Antilles Episcopal Conference. “He brought a human face to the Church.”

Though increasingly frail in recent years, Francis continued to carry out his duties with determination. He remained active in Vatican affairs until only weeks before his passing, delivering his final public message on Easter Sunday, in which he called for peace in the Middle East and solidarity with migrants worldwide.

A conclave of cardinals will be convened in the coming weeks to elect a new pope. In the meantime, the College of Cardinals will oversee the governance of the Church.

Pope Francis leaves behind a legacy of bold compassion, spiritual leadership, and a vision of a more open, engaged, and globally conscious Catholic Church. Across the Caribbean and the world, churches will toll their bells in mourning—and in gratitude for a life of service.

Funeral services are expected to be held later this week in St Peter’s Basilica. A national day of mourning has been declared in Argentina.

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Leatherback Nesting Season Commences in BVI: Conservationists Seek Community Support

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As the leatherback sea turtle nesting season begins across the Caribbean, the British Virgin Islands (BVI) are preparing for potential nesting activity. While sightings have been reported in neighboring regions, no nests have been documented in the BVI yet. The Association of Reef Keepers (ARK), a local non-profit dedicated to marine conservation, is urging residents and visitors to report any turtle tracks or nesting activity promptly. Early detection is crucial, especially if nests are located in vulnerable areas where eggs may need to be relocated to ensure their survival.

 

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