The Virgin Islands was elected last week to serve in a leadership position in the United Nations’ intergovernmental body for the Caribbean, government announced. In a vote of acclamation, the …
New UK gov’t seen as ‘less hostile’ to OTs
The United Kingdom’s new Labour government will likely take a “less hostile approach” than its predecessors toward the Virgin Islands and other overseas territories, a senior VI official has predicted. …
Continue reading “New UK gov’t seen as ‘less hostile’ to OTs”
Status of 20 Haitian migrants unclear
Twenty “irregular” Haitian migrants were apprehended in the North Sound area of Virgin Gorda last week, bringing the total number of migrants detained in the territory over the past six …
Premier in Guyana for Caricom meeting
Advancing intraregional trade, policy coordination and food security are among Premier Dr. Natalio “Sowande” Wheatley’s goals this week as he attends the 46th regular meeting of the Conference of Heads …
COMMENTARY — At 20, London Office praised
When then-Chief Minister Ralph O’Neal and his administration successfully acquired BVI House in July 2002 to set up the BVI London Office, it was with a clear understanding that the …
Continue reading “COMMENTARY — At 20, London Office praised”
Direct-rule concerns aired at UN meeting
As the Virgin Islands waited to learn whether the United Kingdom will impose direct rule, Special Envoy of the Premier Benito Wheatley provided an update to the United Nations Special …
COMMENTARY — Call made for referendum on political status by 2030
The below is adapted from the speech Mr. Wheatley delivered on June 6 during the Frederick Pickering Memorial Lecture Series at the H. Lavity Stoutt Community College. Let me …
Continue reading “COMMENTARY — Call made for referendum on political status by 2030”
UN pushes for decolonisation
The United Nations is doubling down on efforts to support the decolonisation of overseas territories, with a dedicated committee recently approving nearly two dozen resolutions to that end for the …
COMMENTARY — VI urged to tackle discrimination
The Black Lives Matter movement is prompting the Virgin Islands to look at both racial injustice abroad and discrimination at home as global protests continue around the world against police …
Continue reading “COMMENTARY — VI urged to tackle discrimination”
COMMENTARY — Covid-19 compared to hurricanes
The Virgin Islands’ economic recovery from Covid-19 will be very different from its economic bounce-back after hurricanes Irma and Maria, and the public must prepare for a challenging economic period …
Continue reading “COMMENTARY — Covid-19 compared to hurricanes”
COMMENTARY — Call made to celebrate legislature’s 70th year
The Virgin Islands’ freedom to make its own political and economic decisions is often taken for granted by Virgin Islanders and other residents who are unfamiliar with the modern history …
Continue reading “COMMENTARY — Call made to celebrate legislature’s 70th year”
COMMENTARY — Post-Brexit, UK urged to forge a new partnership with OTs
The overseas territories’ place in post-Brexit Britain remains unclear as the United Kingdom begins life outside of the European Union. Since the Conservative Party’s landslide victory at the polls on …
Continue reading “COMMENTARY — Post-Brexit, UK urged to forge a new partnership with OTs”
Commentary — 2019 hurricane response reviewed
The 2019 hurricane season, which saw the immense challenge faced by the Bahamas government in mounting an overall response to the destruction of Abaco by Hurricane Dorian, has prompted much …
Continue reading “Commentary — 2019 hurricane response reviewed”
COMMENTARY — Fears of ‘soft colonialism’ aired as UK election looms
As the United Kingdom general election approaches, the country’s ongoing political turmoil over Brexit continues to overshadow the strained relationship between the overseas territories and the UK. The critical issue …
Continue reading “COMMENTARY — Fears of ‘soft colonialism’ aired as UK election looms”
COMMENTARY — Call made to mark 1949 protest
Sunday will mark 70 years since the Great March of 1949 in which the people of the Virgin Islands peacefully marched through Road Town to protest the gross neglect of …
Continue reading “COMMENTARY — Call made to mark 1949 protest”