A final decision from the United Kingdom about whether it will impose direct rule for two years in the Virgin Islands is expected on Monday, Premier Dr. Natalio “Sowande” Wheatley said in a press conference Friday morning. “When the time comes, we are certainly prayerful...
May 13, 2022
May 13, 2022
Preparing for early hurricane season
As has become common in recent years, experts are predicting above-average levels of activity for the 2022 Atlantic Hurricane Season. Meteorologists from Colorado State University predict 19 named storms, nine of which are likely to develop into hurricanes, with four classed as “major.” “A pattern...
May 13, 2022
US: Fahie could disappear “forever” if given bond
Two weeks after being arrested by United States authorities and charged in an alleged scheme to traffic cocaine and launder money, former Premier Andrew Fahie, BVI Ports Authority Managing Director Oleanvine Maynard, and her son Kadeem Maynard were named in a three-count indictment handed down...
May 12, 2022
Guv announces criminal probes advised by COI
Governor John Rankin has instructed Police Commissioner Mark Collins to start several criminal investigations recommended by the recently published Commission of Inquiry report, Mr. Rankin announced Thursday. The investigations will probe four areas, according to the governor: - allegations that the Premier’s Office obstructed investigations...
May 12, 2022
Government sends proposal to UK, but it’s not public
The newly formed “National Unity Government” has sent the United Kingdom a proposal to make reforms locally without the two-year dissolution of the House of Assembly as recommended in the Commission of Inquiry report, Premier Dr. Natalio “Sowande” Wheatley announced Wednesday evening. The plan —...
May 12, 2022
COI slams ‘attack’ on registrar of interests
For 13 years as the territory’s first registrar of interests, Victoreen Romney-Varlack worked tirelessly to urge reluctant House of Assembly members to register their interests as required by law, according to the Commission of Inquiry report released last month. HOA members largely ignored her, breaching...
May 12, 2022
HLSCC hosts first ‘Stingray Showcase’
At the 2022 Stingray Showcase last Thursday at H. Lavity Stoutt Community College, Sanjay Singh took first place for his project to help digitise files for Smiley’s Garage. “I was pretty excited, to be honest,” Mr. Singh said. “I wasn’t expecting to win, because my...
May 9, 2022
Fahie was probed, but never charged, 20 years ago
Twenty years before former premier Andrew Fahie was arrested in Miami last Thursday, he and his wife were subjects of an investigation into a purported fraud connected to the construction of the Terrance B. Lettsome International Airport, according to United States court records. They were...
May 6, 2022
Fahie still detained as US appeals bond offer
Former premier Andrew Fahie remains in United States custody while prosecutors appeal the $500,000 bond offer he received during a May 4 court hearing, according to a source with knowledge of the situation and documents filed Thursday in the US District Court for the Southern...
May 6, 2022
‘Unity government’ sworn in, but UK still silent
Hours after the House of Assembly voted to revoke Andrew Fahie’s premiership on Thursday, Dr. Natalio “Sowande” Wheatley was sworn in to head a new “national unity government” that is promising to expedite the reforms recommended by the recent Commission of Inquiry. However, the cross-party...
May 5, 2022
UPDATE: House votes to oust Premier Andrew Fahie
With 10 votes in favour and one absence from Health and Social Development Minister Carvin Malone, the House of Assembly unanimously passed a no-confidence resolution on Thursday calling to revoke Premier Andrew Fahie's appointment as premier of the territory. Acting Premier Dr. Natalio "Sowande" Wheatley...
