Three squash players from the British Virgin Islands (BVI) are set to compete in the PanAmerican Under-23 Squash Championships, scheduled to take place in Bucaramanga, Colombia, from October 6 to 12. The event will feature individual, doubles, and team competitions, where the young athletes will have the opportunity to compete against some of the strongest squash nations in the region.

Representing Team BVI are Luca Reich, Oliver Henderson, and Daniel Henderson. Luca, 21, is currently studying at Western University in Canada. With experience competing at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham and the PanAmerican Senior Championships in Guatemala, Luca brings valuable international exposure to the team. His teammate, Oliver, 18, recently began his degree at Birmingham University in the United Kingdom, where he trains alongside players ranked in the top 100 of the senior world rankings. Daniel, the youngest team member at 16, is still a student at Cedar School. As the reigning Caribbean Under-17 Champion and a quarterfinalist in the U17 PanAmerican Championships, Daniel has already established himself as a promising talent in the sport.

Despite their young ages, the athletes will face strong competition from squash powerhouses such as Colombia, the United States, Mexico, Brazil, and Canada. Their participation in this prestigious event marks an important step in their development as they compete on the PanAmerican stage.

National Coach Adam Murrills emphasised the significance of the competition for these young players. “We’ve seen great progress from this group over the past five years, with their standout performance at the Junior Caribbean Championships, where they earned three gold medals. Competing at the PanAmerican level will be an important challenge for them. Although they are young for this category, this experience will help them bridge the gap with top-tier players over time,” Murrills stated.

The British Virgin Islands (BVI) government, local businesses, and shipping companies are closely monitoring the potential impact of a major U.S. dockworkers strike, which threatens to disrupt global supply chains.

On 1 October 2024, thousands of dockworkers at ports from New England to Texas walked off the job, demanding better pay and job security. As negotiations between the International Longshore Association (ILA) and the United States Maritime Alliance (USMX) remain unresolved, concerns are growing over possible delays in shipping to the Caribbean.

The Honourable Kye M. Rymer, Minister for Communications and Works, assured the public that the BVI government is actively assessing the situation. In a statement issued shortly after the strike began, Minister Rymer confirmed that the British Virgin Islands Port Authority (BVIPA) has received no indication that October shipments will be disrupted. He noted that the West Palm Beach Port, a critical hub for Tropical Shipping, remains operational as it is not affected by the strike.

“Our shipping lines do not operate through unionised ports,” Rymer said, “but we acknowledge that the duration of these strikes could affect our supply chain.” He stressed that shipping companies are prioritising essential goods, and local supermarkets are coordinating with suppliers to maintain inventory levels. Rymer urged calm while the government continues to monitor developments.

OneMart, one of the territory’s largest supermarket chains, echoed the government’s reassurances. In a statement, OneMart management noted that their stores are well-stocked and equipped to meet current demand. The company acknowledged the potential for extended disruptions if the strike continues, but reassured customers that contingency plans are in place to minimize any impact on the food supply.

OneMart also reminded customers not to panic and to avoid rushed buying. “We advise our customers to stay calm, avoid panic-buying, and remain informed,” said a company spokesperson.

Crowley, a major shipping company servicing the region, has also provided updates to customers. While the contract between the ILA and USMX expired on 30 September, Crowley emphasised that its terminals in Jacksonville, Port Everglades, Philadelphia, and San Juan are not affected by the strike, as they are not part of the ILA Master Contract. “We do not expect any disruptions and expect that cargo will move as normal through those ports,” Crowley said in a statement, ensuring their readiness to support customers despite the ongoing labor disputes.

As the strike continues, the BVI government and businesses remain vigilant. Minister Rymer has promised further updates as the situation unfolds, thanking residents for their patience during this uncertain period. Local companies are also preparing for any potential delays, while shipping lines not involved in the strike remain operational for now. Residents are encouraged to stay informed and trust that contingency plans are in place to safeguard essential supplies.

Danny Dennevil, a 34-year-old resident of Tortola, British Virgin Islands, has been ordered to remain in federal custody following his recent arrest on charges connected to a human smuggling operation, according to U.S. Attorney Delia L. Smith. Dennevil is facing charges of unlawfully transporting individuals into U.S. territory and failing to comply with law enforcement directives.

Court records reveal that on the night of September 25,  officers from U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Air and Marine Operations, along with the U.S. Coast Guard, intercepted a vessel crossing from the BVI into U.S. waters. The vessel, operated by Dennevil, was unlit and travelled from Tortola to Leinster Bay, St. John. Upon arrival, two passengers disembarked on the beach before Dennevil attempted to return to the BVI. When he refused to comply with orders to stop, authorities disabled the vessel.

Dennevil was taken into custody, and two Dominican Republic nationals were later found on the Leinster Bay trail and detained. During questioning, Dennevil admitted to having smuggled the two individuals from Tortola to St. John, fully aware that the act was illegal.

A detention hearing held today resulted in United States Magistrate Allan Teague ordering that Dennevil, as well as the two Dominican nationals, remain in custody pending further legal proceedings.

The case is currently under investigation by the U.S. Coast Guard, CBP, and Homeland Security Investigations, and is being handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Kyle Payne.

U.S. Attorney Smith emphasised that all individuals are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.