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  • Deputy Premier Applauds Virgin Islands MSMEs and Banks Following Successful Business Banking Expo   ||  Suspect Apprehended in Shooting Incident at Ups Cineplex  ||. Man Injured in Early Morning Sea Cows Bay Shooting  ||  Female Charged With Uttering a Forged Document  ||  Former BVI Speaker Julian Willock Arrested for Alleged Visa Waiver and Document Forgery Offences   ||. World Awaits Andrew Fahie's Sentencing as Maynard Begins Nine-Year Prison Term ||| Department of Labour and Workforce Development Concludes Successful Résumé Writing Workshop || Hurricane Beryl: Catastrophic Category 5 Storm Targets Jamaica After Devastating Caribbean Islands  ||  Neria Griffith Champions Mental Health as She Steps Into Spotlight for Miss BVI 2024 || BVI Calls for Strengthened Disaster Response Framework in Latin America and the Caribbean || Kristin Frazer's Designs to Debut at the 2024 Olympic Opening Ceremony || Health Fair Raises Awareness Among Men on Virgin Gorda || The Crown Lands Management Bill Advances Following Comprehensive Public Consultation || Community Engagement Key for Airport Expansion, Says Minister Rymer || Rehabilitation of Old Administration Building Set to Begin || 64-Year-Old Long Look Resident Charged with Grievous Bodily Harm || Official Funeral for Former Legislator Vernon Malone Set for June 22 || New Visa Waiver Rules to Simplify Student Vacation Travel to the Territory || Aggravated Burglary at Slaney Hill: RVIPF Executes Search and Recovers Stolen Items at Purcell Estate || Know Your Status: Get Tested! || Public Works Department Bolsters Emergency Response Ahead of Active Hurricane Season || Voter Registration Now Open: Residents Urged to Register and Update Information || Native Son Ensures Passenger Safety Amid Minor Incident || Flash Flood Warning Issued for the British Virgin Islands || British Virgin Islands Records Successful Participation at 42nd CHTA Marketplace || Fourteen Inmates Complete Inaugural Life Skills Reintegration Programme || Fishermen Charged in $34 Million Drug Bust || Cedar International School Students Lend a Hand at Local Parks || Department of Culture Hosts Workshop on Built Heritage and Archaeological Reconstruction || Department of Immigration Earns 'Most Improved' Title || Department of Waste Management Relaunches House-to-House Garbage Collection Pilot Programme || Labour Department and Tourist Board Launch Tourism Training for Youth || New Taxi and Livery Tariff Open for Public Review || Kellogg’s Recalls Corn Flakes Chocolate Flavour Due to Hard Lumps || Chaos at Dog Hole: Business Owners Demand Dock Improvements Amid Power Outages and Overcrowding || BVI and UN Collaborate to Boost Development Finance for Eastern Caribbean Governments || Virgin Islands Set for Crown Land Management Overhaul with New Legislation || Virgin Islands Responds to Flash Flood Emergency: Governor Pruce Leads Recovery Efforts || DMV Launches Special Commemorative Licence Plate for 70th Emancipation Festival || New Immigration Bill Aims to Clarify Residence and Belonger Status in the Virgin Islands || Heavy Rains Damage Retaining Wall at Joe’s Hill Manor Estate || Elmore Stoutt High School Set to Resume In-Person Classes Tomorrow || Landslides Severely Disrupt Access to North Sound via The Valley || Banks Temporarily Shut Doors Due To Adverse Weather Conditions || Heavy Rain Triggers Flash Flood Warning in British Virgin Islands || Ciboney School of Excellence is the Primary School Foreign Language Bowl Champions || Records Management Centre Showcases Vital Role in Preserving History || Multiple Airports Targeted in Bomb Threats: RVIPF Investigates Coordinated Attacks || Stolen Wrangler Found Flipped on Virgin Gorda || Lesmore Smith’s Ghostingyou Gallops to Victory St. Thomas USVI Governor’s Cup || Medita Malone Wheatley to Launch Book on Legacy of Principal Carlisle Scott || 35th Anniversary of Senior Citizens’ Month Launched || Extreme Misconduct Unravels at ESHS: In-Person Classes Suspended || Government Elevates Kedrick Malone to Lead Commission of Inquiry Implementation || Deputy Premier Commends ICC FraudNet's 20th Anniversary Amid Global Financial Challenges ||   ADVERTISEMENT: Need a banner in a hurry? Look no further than JAHPHIX DESIGNS. Our high-quality banners can be delivered to you in 24 hours or less. Tel: (284) 340-1995 or email us at mail@jahphix.com
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Former BVI Speaker Julian Willock Arrested for Alleged Visa Waiver and Document Forgery Offences

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3 days ago

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Former House of Assembly Speaker Julian Willock has been arrested on charges related to document forgery and infractions involving visa waivers allegedly committed between 2018 and 2022.

He is currently out on $50,000 bail and is set to appear in the Magistrate’s Court on September 12.

The Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) confirmed in a statement on June 4 that the 56-year-old resident of Sea Cow’s Bay, Tortola, has been charged with several offences.

These include “one count of a Public Official Using his Office for Gratification, contrary to section 83 of the 2013 Criminal Code, one count of Conspiracy to Provide False Information to a Person Employed in a Public Service, contrary to sections 124 and 346 of the 2013 Criminal Code, and one count of Conspiracy to Uttering a Forged Document, contrary to sections 257 and 346 of the 2013 Criminal Code.”

According to the police statement, an 18-month investigation led by the Commission of Inquiry (CoI) Police Investigation Team focused on visa waivers issued between 2018 and 2022, as well as a forged document allegedly presented to the British Virgin Islands (BVI) Immigration Department in 2022.

The 2021 Commission of Inquiry, conducted by Sir Gary Hickinbottom , highlighted systemic issues, stating that “Almost everywhere, the principles of good governance, such as openness, transparency and even the rule of law, are ignored. In many important areas of government – including the procurement of contracts, grants of assistance, appointments to statutory boards, the disposal of Crown Land and the grant of residence and belonger status – discretionary decisions are made by elected officials (usually, Ministers) on the basis of no criteria, or patently inadequate and/or unpublished criteria, or criteria which are as often as not simply ignored.

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Deputy Premier Applauds Virgin Islands MSMEs and Banks Following Successful Business Banking Expo

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48 mins ago

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July 8, 2024

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Deputy Premier and Minister for Financial Services, Labour, and Trade, Honourable Lorna Smith, OBE, has commended the Micro, Small and Medium-Sized Enterprise (MSME) sector alongside local banks in the Virgin Islands for their active participation in the recent Business Banking Expo. Organised by the Ministry of Financial Services, Labour and Trade in collaboration with the BVI Bank Association, the Expo aimed to foster closer ties between the business and banking communities.

Featuring presentations from key figures including the Premier and Deputy Premier of the Virgin Islands, the event also saw contributions from representatives of the Financial Services Commission, the BVI Chamber of Commerce, and the Department of Trade and Investment Promotion and Consumer Affairs.

The Expo served as a platform to explore new avenues for collaboration with the shared objective of creating a supportive environment for MSMEs. Central to discussions was the banking sector’s commitment to enhancing customer education, aimed at raising awareness of banking products and simplifying client interactions.

Deputy Premier Smith emphasised the importance of strengthening relationships between businesses and banks, particularly in navigating financial procedures and accessing crucial funding for growth and sustainability. She expressed satisfaction with the Expo’s turnout and pledged ongoing collaboration between her Ministry, banks, and the business community to translate ideas discussed into actionable initiatives.

Continuing her engagement with the BVI Bank Association post-conference, Deputy Premier Smith highlighted efforts to enhance financial literacy among entrepreneurs and promote greater understanding of available financing opportunities.

Proposed initiatives from the event included town hall meetings, educational sessions, specialised loan programmes, community outreach, and tailored training for small business clients. Deputy Premier Smith lauded these initiatives as practical solutions that align with her Ministry’s commitment to bolstering MSME support, including the forthcoming MSME grant assistance programme.

Participants unanimously agreed on the success of the Expo and endorsed its continuation as an annual event, underscoring its role in fostering ongoing dialogue and collaboration between the sectors vital to the territory’s economic growth.

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Denston Johnney Faces Attempted Murder Charges in UPs Cineplex Shooting

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1 hour ago

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July 8, 2024

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Denston Johnney, 30, a resident of Huntum’s Ghut, has been formally accused of Attempted Murder, Possession of a Firearm with Intent to Commit an Indictable Offence, and Unlawful Possession of Explosives in relation to the shooting at UPs Cineplex shortly after 10 pm on Saturday, July 6.

The female victim sustained injuries and was subsequently hospitalised at Dr. Orlando Smith’s Hospital. The Royal Virgin Islands Police Force swiftly apprehended Johnney, the suspected perpetrator, who remains in custody pending his scheduled appearance at the Magistrates’ Court.

As the investigation unfolds, authorities urge individuals with any pertinent information to come forward. Tips can be submitted anonymously via the Crime Stoppers hotline on 800-8477 (TIPS), or internationally on 1-284-800-8477. Alternatively, the RVIPF Intelligence Unit can be reached on 1-284-368-9339. Any detail provided, no matter how seemingly trivial, is deemed crucial to advancing the ongoing investigation.

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Police Constable Interdicted Following Smuggling Attempt at His Majesty’s Prison

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20 hours ago

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July 7, 2024

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The Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) is actively investigating an incident involving an attempt to smuggle contraband into His Majesty’s Prison on Friday, July 5.

A Police Constable has been arrested for questioning and subsequently released pending further inquiry. The officer has been immediately interdicted from duty.

RVIPF officials are collaborating closely with prison authorities to advance the investigation. Further updates will be provided to the public as the inquiry progresses.

Acting Commissioner Jacqueline Vanterpool reassured the public of the RVIPF’s steadfast commitment to thoroughly investigate and prosecute any alleged misconduct involving its members or any other public service personnel.

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