Introduced in San Juan, this vibrant design will soon be seen on flights to Virgin Gorda and Culebra, bringing a fresh burst of colour and symbolism to mark Cape Air’s 35th anniversary in aviation.

The livery pays thoughtful tribute to the spirit of the Caribbean, featuring iconic imagery that represents both the airline’s core values and the cultural heritage of the region. At the centre of the design is a large sea turtle, symbolising Cape Air’s resilience and connection to the Caribbean. The turtle, known to represent endurance, adaptability, and patience, reflects the journey of an airline that has served Caribbean passengers for decades. Cape Air’s CEO, Linda Markham, highlighted this connection, stating, “The sea turtle represents our long-standing commitment to the Caribbean, where we’ve grown alongside the communities we serve.”

In addition to the turtle, the design features hibiscus flowers in bright hues, evoking the joy and sunshine characteristic of Caribbean life. Representing good fortune, the hibiscus mirrors Cape Air’s optimistic outlook for the future. “As we celebrate our 35th anniversary, this flower symbolises the hope and prosperity that guide us forward,” said Markham.

The livery also includes a dynamic school of fish, a nod to teamwork and unity, which Cape Air says forms the foundation of its approach to service. Few places foster such a strong sense of community as the Caribbean, where Cape Air has long prided itself on close ties with local markets and passengers. “The school of fish reminds us that our strength lies in our collective efforts – from our dedicated team to the passengers who trust us to connect them with the places they love,” Markham noted.

These anniversary celebrations are not only about aesthetics but also serve as a reaffirmation of Cape Air’s commitment to the Caribbean. Since its establishment, the airline has woven itself into the fabric of local life, building partnerships with tourism boards, small businesses, and communities in the territories it serves. The Britten-Norman Islander aircraft, small yet versatile, embodies this adaptability and accessibility, making it the ideal canvas for such a tribute.

Passengers fortunate enough to board this special aircraft will be treated to an enhanced travel experience as they connect with destinations like Virgin Gorda and Culebra. Cape Air hopes this symbolic livery will serve as both a celebration of Caribbean culture and a reminder of the region’s unique natural beauty.

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This marks the second year that the Virgin Islands has participated in the competition, and their performance has garnered praise from the Ministry of Education, Youth Affairs, and Sports. The ministry commended the team’s hard work and determination, emphasizing their commitment to fostering robotics and S.T.E.A.M (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) programs as part of the ongoing transformation of education in the territory.

Photo Credit: R. Frazer (GIS)

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Hodge’s journey to the Olympics is a story of dreams realised through relentless hard work. “I was extremely relieved when I found out I qualified for the Olympics because it has been a dream of mine since a very young age,” she shared in an exclusive interview. Her determination was evident from an early age when she broke a 26-year-old Junior Olympic 200m record at just 12 years old.

Reflecting on her inspiration, Hodge credits her mother for sparking her interest in track and field. “My mum inspired me to start running track because I would always see her medals and trophies. I wanted to earn trophies and medals as well. My mum continues to influence my athletic career by allowing me to be myself and supporting me no matter what,” she said.

Hodge’s daily training regimen is rigorous and carefully tailored to her needs. “No training day is the same, but I generally start with the same warm-up and go through well-thought-out exercises and drills that cater specifically to me and help me perfect my craft,” she explained. Balancing her training with personal and educational commitments requires exceptional time management skills. “I balance my training schedule with my personal and educational life by having great time management, allowing myself to be a regular college student, and finding hobbies outside of track and field,” she added.

Despite her youth, Hodge has faced significant challenges. An injury earlier this year tested her resolve. “My biggest challenge in this journey was my injury because it shifted my plans tremendously. I got over this challenge by trusting in God and also making sure I surrounded myself with the right individuals to uplift me,” she said. The support from her community has also been a source of inspiration. “Although I don’t reside in the BVI, the community has shown so much love and support which has inspired me to continue to strive for greatness,” she noted.

Hodge draws inspiration from track and field star Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone, whom she admires for her humility and faith. Her most memorable race to date was running a 22.33 indoor, an achievement that she describes as “so unpredictable and shocking.”

As she prepares for her Olympic debut, Hodge’s main goal is to execute her races with confidence and comfort. Music plays a key role in keeping her focused and motivated during competitions and training. To handle the pressure, she relies on her support team and journals to express her thoughts.

Hodge’s Olympic journey represents more than personal achievement; it symbolises hope and opportunity for the younger generation in the BVI. “I believe that being able to compete on an international stage at such a young age has brought publicity to the BVI and created many opportunities for the younger generations,” she said.

Looking ahead, Hodge plans to savour her college experience post-Olympics and compete in the World U20 Championships in Peru. Her approach remains rooted in enjoying the sport she loves. “I plan to go out there and enjoy myself while doing what I love,” she said.

Adaejah Hodge’s Olympic journey exemplifies hard work, dedication, and discipline, highlighting that greatness knows no age when fuelled by determination. As she steps onto the track in Paris, all eyes will be on this young prodigy, ready to witness her sprint towards Olympic glory.

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Every year the British Virgin Islands as a post-slavery society commemorates Emancipation in celebration of our freedom as a people. This year marks 190 years.

However, Emancipation today is more than just about celebrating our foreparents freedom from slavery on 1st August 1834. It is also about protecting and preserving the rights we have since gained as a people in our long and continuous struggle for human dignity and the freedom to determine our own destiny.

The ultimate expression of these rights is self-government, which is a fundamental principle of self determination.

The people of the British Virgin Islands have an inalienable right to govern themselves as a national community, as enshrined in the United Nations (UN) Charter. Our foreparents fought hard for self-government to give us the power to build better lives for ourselves, our children, and grandchildren, because Britain had done very little to help their situation over the 116 years following Emancipation, in contrast to the payments made by the British Government to the former slave masters to compensate them for the slaves they previously owned.

After decades of poor economic and social conditions in the British Virgin Islands and the colony’s lack of opportunity, the people organised the Great March of 1949 to protest colonial neglect and to demand self-government.

The protest was successful in pressuring Britain to approve a constitution in 1950 that reconstituted a local legislature (i.e. Legislative Council) and gave the people of the islands the democratic right to elect their own representatives to make laws for the society, and embedded their political right to participate in the governing process through their representatives.

This initial step was followed by the introduction of Ministerial government in 1967 that gave the local Government executive authority for the first time. In 1977, this authority was further expanded by the devolution of the public finance portfolio from the British appointed Governor to the elected government.

The historical record shows that the modern development of the British Virgin Islands came on the back of the tireless efforts of the islands’ political leaders who ensured the provision of modern primary schools in each district, modern comprehensive secondary schools to serve all students, tertiary education at the H. Lavity Stoutt Community College, the granting of scholarships for higher education abroad, a modern hospital to take care of the sick, a road network for vehicular transportation, electricity and running water for modern living, and modern government facilities from which to administer the affairs of the islands, among other things.

This is in stark contrast to the previous era of direct rule by Britain in which there was little progress and the British Virgin Islands became the poorest part of the Federal Colony of the Leeward Islands.

Today there are some members of our community who are dissatisfied with local governance and continue to call for Britain to take over the islands or for the Governor to be granted additional constitutional powers over Ministries for a temporary period. This is wrongheaded and said out of frustration.

They must keep in mind that removing or overriding a democratically elected Government simply because there is dissatisfaction with their performance is incongruent with democratic principles in the Commonwealth and beyond.

Democracy is not perfect anywhere and imperialism is not a cure.

The British Virgin Islands’ path of political change remains elections, which we have proudly practiced uninterrupted since 1950.

Any concerns about the performance of government should be addressed through reform and technical assistance. Not the removal of democracy or colonial impositions.

Those individuals who feel disillusioned must remember that in spite of some errors by various Government Administrations and ongoing challenges in the society, on balance, self-government has delivered much for the people of the British Virgin Islands. We must not forget this or dismiss or downplay the accomplishments of local government, regardless of political affiliation or personal views.

As a people whose ancestors suffered the indignation of slavery and British colonial maltreatment, we must never compromise the freedom we have gained, especially our democratic, political and human rights. Nor should we seek to justify why Britain should have the unilateral authority to take these rights away from us.

The enduring lesson of slavery is that once your freedom is taken away, there is no guarantee if and when it will be given back. No nation, government, people or person should have that power over another people.

We owe it to our foreparents to preserve and protect the freedom we enjoy today that they suffered, endured and fought so hard to gain for our benefit and that of future generations.

As we celebrate this Emancipation season, let us not forget their sacrifice and our responsibility today as a people.

Benito Wheatley is a Continuing Policy Fellow at the Center for Science and Policy (CSaP) at the University of Cambridge. Responses can be sent to benitowheatley@gmail.com.

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Gender-based violence (GBV) is defined as any harmful act directed at an individual based on their gender. This campaign focuses on addressing and preventing physical, emotional, and psychological abuse, recognising the profound impact these forms of violence have on individuals and communities.

WINBVI, in partnership with Unite BVI and other non-profit organisations, is leading this initiative. In December 2023, WINBVI participated in a march through Road Town, demonstrating their commitment to championing the rights of girls and young women in the BVI, ensuring they are free from harm and empowered to reach their full potential.

The campaign is spearheaded by Mrs British Virgin Islands 2024, Rhonda Victor-Pinnock, a survivor of domestic violence. “This campaign is more than just an initiative; it’s a lifeline for those who feel unheard and unseen. Together, we can break the cycle of abuse and empower one another to stand strong and speak out,” said Victor-Pinnock.

Alicia Green, President of WINBVI, shared, “Our mission is to provide education, resources, and support, and ultimately to empower individuals to recognise and prevent all forms of abuse. This collaborative effort reflects our deep commitment to creating a safer, more inclusive society.”

To kick off the campaign, there will be discussions on various radio and media platforms from 27 July through 2 August. This will be followed by a Women Empowerment Self-Defence Class on Saturday, 17 August 2024, from 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM at Boynes Taekwondo Academy in Kingston. This class aims to equip women with basic self-defence skills that enhance personal confidence and could potentially save their lives or the lives of their loved ones. A self-defence class for males will be hosted in early September.

The public is encouraged to participate in community discussions and forums to voice their concerns and suggestions. The campaign also aims to review and revise the legal framework to enhance protections for domestic violence victims.

The primary objectives of the Prevention of Gender-Based Violence Campaign are to raise awareness about the prevalence and forms of gender-based violence, educate the public on the signs of physical, emotional, and psychological abuse, provide practical tools and resources for prevention and self-defence, and foster a supportive community network for victims and survivors.

This campaign represents a collaborative effort, leveraging relationships with media houses, platforms, and various community groups to create a significant impact. By uniting strengths, the initiative aims to educate, empower, and equip the community with the knowledge and tools necessary to combat and prevent gender-based violence.

Mrs British Virgin Islands 2024, Rhonda Victor-Pinnock, is a passionate advocate for women’s rights and community empowerment. Her leadership in this campaign underscores her commitment to making the British Virgin Islands a safer place for all.

We invite all media houses, community groups, and individuals to join us in this vital campaign. Together, we can make a difference and ensure a safer, more supportive environment for everyone.

For more information and to register for the Women Empowerment Self-Defence Class, please contact (284) 440-4122.

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Central to the defence’s argument is the nature of the evidence derived from alleged WhatsApp communications between Erickson and Almestica. The Crown’s reliance on forensic extraction reports and voice analysis to link Erickson to incriminating messages on Almestica’s recovered mobile phone has been challenged as inadmissible hearsay. According to the defence, this evidence cannot stand under the scrutiny of established legal principles.

The defence contends that a close examination of the evidence in the committal bundle reveals that the purported telephone evidence is hearsay upon hearsay. They argue that the forensic extraction report, which purportedly shows WhatsApp messages linked to Erickson, is a statement made outside of court and is thus inadmissible. Additionally, the defence points out that the statement by Ms. Kim Wharton, who testified to the monikers associated with Erickson, further represents inadmissible hearsay. Wharton’s testimony relies on previous assertions not made while giving oral evidence in court, violating the rule against hearsay as established in R v Sharp [1988] and R v Kearley [1992].

The defence also references the Privy Council decision in Delroy Hopson v R [1992], which underscores that statements made outside the presence of the accused are inadmissible. In this case, any attributed designations linking Erickson to Almestica via WhatsApp messages were made in Erickson’s absence, further breaching the hearsay rule.

The issue extends to other pieces of evidence in the committal bundle, such as the designation of “WestBank” and “BandSpatron” as monikers associated with Erickson. The defence argues that these attributions are based on inadmissible voice analysis and previous statements that Wharton could not testify to in court. The defence cites the Williams v Bedwellty Justices [1996] case, which emphasises that committal proceedings must be based on admissible evidence. Any committal based on inadmissible hearsay evidence is liable to be quashed by way of judicial review and the remedy of certiorari.

Furthermore, the defence points to the principle established in R v Gunewardene [1951] and R v Dennis Lobban [1995], stating that the extrajudicial statements of a co-accused are not admissible as evidence against the defendant. In the current case, any statements made by Almestica outside of court cannot be used to implicate Erickson. The defence highlights that Ms. Wharton’s statement and the forensic extraction report are both examples of such extrajudicial statements, making them inadmissible.

The defence also critiques the methodology and credibility of the forensic extraction and voice analysis. They argue that these techniques are not only subject to significant error but also that their results were presented without the proper foundational evidence or expert testimony to verify their accuracy. This further undermines the reliability and admissibility of the evidence against Erickson.

In their argument, the defence submits that there is no admissible evidence to support the committal of Erickson for trial in the High Court. The statements and forensic reports relied upon by the Crown are riddled with inadmissible hearsay and fail to establish a prima facie case. The defence urges that, in the absence of such evidence, the charges against Erickson should be dismissed.

On February 27, 2023, Erickson was extradited to the United States Virgin Islands after unsuccessful appeals in the local Court of Appeal and in the United Kingdom Privy Council. He was charged with conspiracy to launder monetary funds from outside the United States and unlawfully transporting the funds into the United States. After six months in federal custody, prosecutors dismissed the case against him. Despite this, Erickson faced renewed legal challenges when, on 20 September, 2023, he was arrested in Road Town by local authorities as he stepped off the ferry from the United States Virgin Islands.

Nyron Erickson being whisked out by US Feds under heavy security on February 27, 2023.

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In a separate incident, another man was shot between 9:30 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. on July 27 in the Baugher’s Bay area. He remains a patient at Dr. D. Orlando Smith Hospital, though his current condition is unknown.

He was reportedly injured during a shooting incident in the Baugher’s Bay area.

Officers of the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) are investigating both incidents.

Further details will be provided as the investigations progress.

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