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Hurricane Beryl: Catastrophic Category 5 Storm Targets Jamaica After Devastating Caribbean Islands

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Hurricane Beryl, lower center right, churns toward the southeast Caribbean on Saturday. (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration via AP) (ASSOCIATED PRESS)

Hurricane Beryl, now a potentially catastrophic Category 5 storm, has set its sights on Jamaica after leaving at least three persons dead and causing widespread devastation across several Caribbean islands on Monday.

The storm is expected to bring life-threatening winds and storm surges to Jamaica on Wednesday, and the Cayman Islands will be impacted on Thursday, where a hurricane watch has been issued.

Beryl is making history as it marks an unusually early start to the hurricane season, being the earliest Category 5 hurricane and only the second Atlantic storm of such strength recorded in July. Its alarming intensification is fueled by abnormally warm ocean waters, a consequence of fossil fuel-driven climate change.

In just minutes, Beryl tore through Grenada on Monday, destroying buildings and knocking out power and phone service for nearly all residents. “In half an hour, Carriacou was flattened,” Prime Minister Dickon Mitchell said.

A path of “immense destruction, pain (and) suffering” swept through St. Vincent and the Grenadines, where at least one person has died, according to Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves. Many areas, including hospitals, are without electricity, and some lack water. Approximately 90% of homes on Union Island are damaged or destroyed, with hundreds more homes, schools, churches, and government buildings in St. Vincent severely impacted.

“Tomorrow we get up with our commitment and conviction to rebuild our lives and our families’ lives,” Gonsalves said Monday night.

Despite potential fluctuations in strength, Beryl is expected to remain an “extremely dangerous major hurricane” (Category 3 or stronger) through mid-week, the hurricane center reported. The storm will continue to bring strong winds, torrential rain, and hazardous seas across much of the Caribbean, even if it doesn’t make landfall in Jamaica. Its outer bands will still have significant impacts.

The Latest on Beryl

Jamaica Braces for Severe Impacts: A hurricane warning is in place for Jamaica, where hurricane conditions are expected on Wednesday. Tropical storm-force winds are anticipated earlier in the day, with storm surges raising water levels by 3 to 5 feet above normal tide levels and rainfall of 4 to 8 inches, with isolated totals up to 12 inches.

Dominican Republic and Haiti Under Storm Warnings: The southern coasts of Haiti and the Dominican Republic are under tropical storm warnings, with conditions beginning Tuesday. Storm surges up to 3 feet and rainfall totals up to 6 inches are possible.

Extended State of Emergency in Grenada: Due to severe damage, the state of emergency has been extended until July 7, said Neila K. Ettienne, spokesperson for the prime minister’s office. About 95% of Grenada has lost power, with telecommunications and internet services down in some areas.

St. Vincent and the Grenadines Rush to Restore Power: Local authorities are “working feverishly, urgently and with great focus to get electricity in certain places tonight,” Prime Minister Gonsalves stated. Many trees have fallen on power lines, but government buildings will reopen Tuesday, and business owners are urged to open if possible.

Huge Blow to Barbados Fishing Industry: Though Barbados avoided the brunt of the storm, significant storm surge damaged many fishing vessels, a massive loss to the fishing industry. At least 20 boats have sunk, Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley reported. Fishermen at the Bridgetown Fisheries Complex could only watch helplessly as waves destroyed their livelihoods.

Cricket Team and Fans Stranded: Some cricket fans and the winning Indian team at the T20 World Cup in Barbados were stranded as Hurricane Beryl forced Grantley Adams International Airport to suspend operations. However, the Indian team is expected to leave Tuesday after the airport’s planned reopening, Mottley said.

Beryl has shattered numerous records, indicating a troubling start to a hurricane season influenced by global warming. On Sunday, it became the earliest major hurricane (Category 3 or higher) in the Atlantic in 58 years and the only one to reach Category 4 status in June. It is also the strongest hurricane known to have passed through the southern Windward Islands, based on NOAA data dating back to 1851.

The storm’s rapid development is attributed to ocean temperatures that are as warm now as they would typically be at the peak of the hurricane season, said Jim Kossin, a hurricane expert and science advisor at the nonprofit First Street Foundation. “Hurricanes don’t know what month it is, they only know what their ambient environment is,” Kossin explained. “Beryl is breaking records for the month of June because Beryl thinks it’s September.”

The unusually warm ocean temperatures fueling Beryl’s unprecedented strengthening “certainly have a human fingerprint on them,” Kossin added.

As Beryl continues its path through the Caribbean, communities brace for its impact, demonstrating resilience in the face of nature’s fury.

Local News

Virgin Islands Releases 2025 Risk Assessment on Terrorist Financing

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The Government of the Virgin Islands has released its 2025 Terrorist Financing Risk Assessment, reinforcing its commitment to protecting the jurisdiction’s financial sector and aligning with global efforts to combat terrorist financing. The report reflects a proactive approach to identifying and addressing emerging threats, while maintaining the Territory’s standing as a responsible and compliant international financial center.

Building on its inaugural 2020 assessment, the new report was developed by a cross-agency working group under the oversight of the National Anti-Money Laundering Coordinating Council. It offers an in-depth evaluation of the Territory’s vulnerabilities to terrorist financing and identifies key areas for policy and regulatory reform.

While the assessment concludes that the Virgin Islands continues to pose a low risk for the collection and deployment of terrorist funds, it highlights a medium-high risk associated with the movement of funds through British Virgin Islands (BVI) entities—particularly those operating via virtual asset platforms and complex corporate structures. These areas, the report notes, are susceptible to misuse due to their cross-border nature and the rapid pace of technological innovation.

The report’s findings are accompanied by a series of targeted recommendations. These include enhanced training for agencies on the front lines, improved detection mechanisms for virtual asset-related threats, and increased data sharing among local and international enforcement and regulatory bodies.

Premier Natalio D. Wheatley, who also chairs the Anti-Money Laundering Coordinating Council, said the assessment reaffirms the Territory’s “commitment to proactive, data-driven decision-making in the fight against terrorist financing.”

“We take our responsibility to uphold international standards extremely seriously,” Wheatley said. “These findings will guide the next phase of our reforms, particularly in strengthening regulatory frameworks for virtual assets, improving interagency coordination, and reinforcing our sanctions enforcement efforts.”

The 2025 assessment integrates insights from recent national risk evaluations of legal persons, legal arrangements, and non-profit organisations, and incorporates guidance from the Virgin Islands’ 2024 Mutual Evaluation Report. It also draws upon international case studies and patterns of misuse involving BVI entities.

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Entertainment

More Than a Hike: VI Camping Reconnects Families with Virgin Islands Heritage

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What might begin as a simple hike often turns into something more — a meaningful journey of discovery, culture, and hands-on learning. That’s the experience VI Camping is creating through its Bayside Excursions, a growing initiative that’s helping families reconnect with the land and traditions of the Virgin Islands.

Founded and led by Island Experience Curator Dean Titley — a former educator who spent years teaching before retiring — VI Camping is more than just a recreational outing. It’s an immersive outdoor classroom designed to revive the traditional skills and knowledge that once shaped daily life in the BVI.

Each excursion blends low-impact hiking with cultural education. On Beef Island, participants follow a mostly flat trail through mangroves and striking rock formations before reaching “Honeycomb Cave,” a breathtaking natural structure dotted with stone pockets and tide pools — a place that sparks both exploration and quiet reflection.

“All our excursions have an educational component,” Titley said. “It’s about learning the traditional skills that helped our people live off the land—how to take out a conch, clean fish, make fire, and understand the environment that surrounds us.”

While not every activity happens on every outing, past trips have included everything from bow and arrow lessons to fish-cleaning demos and marine life observation — giving participants a taste of the islands’ natural richness and cultural depth.

Since launching earlier this year, VI Camping has hosted several small-group adventures, and the feedback from both parents and children has been overwhelmingly positive.

“We’ve only done a few trips so far, but the kids loved every moment,” Titley said. “They’re learning valuable skills while having fun — and more importantly, developing a connection to their heritage.”

The next Bayside Adventure takes place Sunday, April 27 at 8:00 a.m., departing from Beef Island. This family-friendly hike will focus on nature exploration and local storytelling, with the possibility of some interactive activities based on time and group size.

Participation costs $25 for children and $40 for adults, with a deposit required to confirm your spot. To register, contact 284-547-9984 or 284-547-3953 via WhatsApp.

For Titley, it’s about more than what’s discovered on the trail — it’s about what families take home.

“It’s not just about the hike,” he said. “It’s about legacy. We want these kids to grow up proud of where they’re from and confident in what they can do.”

As the Virgin Islands continue to attract sun-seekers and sailors from around the world, it’s efforts like VI Camping that keep the local heritage alive—one child, one hike, and one conch shell at a time.

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Crime/Police

BVI Sees Spike in Property Damage, Vehicle Thefts, and Assaults in Early 2025

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The Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) is reporting sharp increases in several categories of criminal activity for the first quarter of 2025 compared to the same period last year, underscoring ongoing challenges facing law enforcement and the wider community.

According to data released by the RVIPF, cases of Damaging Property rose by 75 percent, with 24 more incidents recorded than in the same timeframe in 2024. Theft of Motor Vehicles saw a 47 percent uptick, reflecting 8 additional reports year-over-year. Meanwhile, Minor Assaults climbed by 25 percent, with 18 more reported cases than in the first quarter of last year.

Authorities say that a significant portion of the increases in Damaging Property and Minor Assaults stem from domestic dispute incidents, signaling a troubling pattern that extends beyond traditional policing and requires a broader societal response.

Acting Commissioner of Police Jacqueline Vanterpool stressed the need for collaboration across all sectors of society.

“We urge the community to remain vigilant and work with the RVIPF to sustain these hard-won gains,” said Vanterpool. “Together, we must reverse the concerning trends in robberies, minor assaults, and other areas, to ensure long-term safety and security across the Territory. The issues underpinning our crime situation are complex and will require sustained efforts to ensure long-term gains. Everyone has a role to play in this fight.”

The RVIPF reaffirmed its commitment to targeted policing strategies and stronger public engagement. Police officials also called for continued support from social services, volunteer organizations, and civic groups, emphasizing that reducing crime — especially those rooted in domestic situations — requires a unified and sustained effort.

The Force is appealing to the public for information that can assist ongoing investigations. Citizens can contact the RVIPF Intelligence Unit at 368-9339, or share tips anonymously through Crime Stoppers at 800-8477, or overseas at (284) 800-8477.

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