The Virgin Islands was hailed as a beacon for good business standards at a major financial conference in the United States. During a panel organised by BVI Finance at OffshoreAlert …
May 19, 2025
May 16, 2025
Governor won’t disclose police-vetting deal
Virgin Islands police officers are not being “tricked” into providing personal financial information under a controversial new vetting system launched last week after lengthy delays, Governor Daniel Pruce said Friday. …
Continue reading “Governor won’t disclose police-vetting deal”
May 16, 2025
VI ready if ‘grey list’ hits, premier says
The government is prepared to deal with any fallout if the Virgin Islands is censured by global financial watchdogs next month, according to Premier Natalio “Sowande” Wheatley. His comments come …
Continue reading “VI ready if ‘grey list’ hits, premier says”
May 15, 2025
Governor Pruce denies double standard on transparency
Governor Daniel Pruce has denied double standards after it emerged that he won’t be required to declare his interests in the territory’s new register for senior public officers. Mr. Pruce …
Continue reading “Governor Pruce denies double standard on transparency”
May 15, 2025
UK on brink of big COI decisions
The endgame for the three-year-long Commission of Inquiry reform process has begun in earnest as the governor and premier each unveiled their final analysis ahead of pivotal decision-making by London …
May 12, 2025
UK review could tip VI onto ‘grey list,’ expert says
Britain’s recent inquiry into the Virgin Islands’ law-enforcement agencies could tip the scales when global financial watchdogs consider whether to sanction the territory next month, according to a leading expert. …
Continue reading “UK review could tip VI onto ‘grey list,’ expert says”
May 8, 2025
Rugby teens prep for Dominican Republic
Rugby-playing youths from the Virgin Islands will get to compete in the Dominican Republic next month thanks to fundraising efforts. James Morris, the national coach at BVI Rugby, hailed the …
May 8, 2025
UK pol attacks VI ‘mockery’ of money-crime fight
Premier Natalio “Sowande” Wheatley has fired back after an influential British politician accused the Virgin Islands of making a “mockery” of combatting financial crime by launching a cartoon bird logo …
Continue reading “UK pol attacks VI ‘mockery’ of money-crime fight”
May 8, 2025
Government completes COI self-assessment
The Cabinet has received the Commission of Inquiry self-assessment report it hopes will persuade London to lift the threat of direct rule, according to Premier Natalio “Sowande” Wheatley. The government …
May 2, 2025
New strategy to guide money-crime fight
More reforms to combat money crime are on the way as the Virgin Islands works to avoid censure from international financial watchdogs. With a crunch meeting of the Paris-based Financial …
May 1, 2025
US drops plan to tax Caribbean’s China-built ships
Dramatic price hikes for Virgin Islands residents may have been averted after the United States abandoned plans to tax Caribbean transporters who use China-built ships in its ports, Premier Natalio …
Continue reading “US drops plan to tax Caribbean’s China-built ships”
April 24, 2025
Minimum wage to go up after delay
The lowest paid workers in the Virgin Islands will belatedly get a wage boost after a high-profile salary increase was snatched from them shortly before Christmas. But instead of the …
April 24, 2025
Gov’t trims proposed fees for USVI charters
New fees have been announced for foreign charter boats as the Virgin Islands pulled back from a trade war with its nearest neighbour. Premier Natalio “Sowande” Wheatley hailed an agreement …
Continue reading “Gov’t trims proposed fees for USVI charters”
April 22, 2025
USVI adds to chorus of Trump warnings
In the Caribbean, calls have grown louder for United States President Donald Trump to rethink his tariff trade war due to price hikes expected across the region. Democrat Stacey Plaskett, …
April 17, 2025
HOA blasts UK security review as guv stays tight-lipped
A proposal to give the governor sweeping new powers over areas including customs, immigration and financial investigations has been roundly condemned by both sides of the House of Assembly. HOA …
Continue reading “HOA blasts UK security review as guv stays tight-lipped”
April 17, 2025
Charter dispute ‘95%’ sorted, premier says
Following an explosive public row between Premier Natalio “Sowande” Wheatley and his counterpart in the United States Virgin Islands over planned fee hikes for charter boats, both leaders announced this …
Continue reading “Charter dispute ‘95%’ sorted, premier says”
April 11, 2025
Businesses tapped for Road Town revamp
Government hopes businesses will fund half of a $10 million effort to spruce up Road Town over the next five years, but the needed financing is not yet in place, …
April 10, 2025
Premier warns about food, energy costs
There is a “real threat” that food and electricity bills in the Virgin Islands will spike because of the tariff war unleashed by United States President Donald Trump, Premier Natalio …
April 5, 2025
Cancer registry gets boost from bank
The Virgin Islands’ battle against cancer has been boosted to the tune of $67,000 thanks to grassroots action and corporate sponsorship. A cancer research and analysis project by the territory’s …
April 5, 2025
Walwyn fires back at Skelton
New Opposition Leader Myron Walwyn has hit back at Ronnie Skelton’s claim that toppling him from the role amounted to “stabbing” him “in the front.” “To imply that Hon. Skelton …
April 3, 2025
Shipper warns about Trump moves
The many Virgin Islands businesses that use Tropical Shipping could be hit hard by United States President Donald Trump’s tariffs and other policies, the company has warned. In testimony before …
March 28, 2025
If music be the food of love, play on
For at least one couple, love was on the menu at the Taste of Virgin Gorda food festival on Saturday evening. As the island’s top restaurants offered up culinary delights …
March 27, 2025
Premier alarmed over assault rifles
The Virgin Islands is being “terrorised” by youths with semi-automatic weapons, Premier Natalio “Sowande” Wheatley said last week as he pledged a crackdown on the gun crime that has been …
March 27, 2025
Skelton: ‘He stabbed me in the front’
A new rift has reopened old wounds in the House of Assembly. Ronnie Skelton said this week that Myron Walwyn “stabbed” him “in the front” to replace him as leader …
March 24, 2025
New minister role could be first for OTs
Premier Natalio “Sowande” Wheatley’s bid to create a new “minister of state” role in his government could be an attempt to expand the Cabinet “through the back door,” according to …
