"The light that comes from wisdom never goes out"
Premier Natalio “Sowande” Wheatley stood before a hushed House of Assembly last Thursday morning and launched legislators’ first official debate on constitutional reform in nearly two decades. “The Virgin Islands …
Continue reading “HOA’s constitutional debate still going after five days”
The surprise ousting of David Lammy as British foreign secretary on Friday has added to the uncertainty over when London will deliver its delayed final decision on the Commission of …
Continue reading “Will British leadership shuffle stall COI verdict?”
Governor Daniel Pruce this week downplayed London’s two-month delay in providing its final assessment of the Commission of Inquiry process. June had been widely anticipated as the point when the …
A long-delayed no-confidence motion against Premier Natalio “Sowande” Wheatley’s administration was finally launched by the opposition Tuesday night as government members were urged to abandon their leader and vote with …
It is no secret that the Virgin Islands’ public healthcare system is struggling, with two community clinics shuttered and other facilities across the territory understaffed, under-equipped and under-resourced. This month, …
Continue reading “EDITORIAL: Strategic plan a big step toward better healthcare”
London will take steps to prevent the Virgin Islands from ever reversing the sweeping reforms undertaken since the Commission of Inquiry report was published in 2022, according to Premier Natalio …
Britain’s official “anti-corruption champion” will soon visit the Virgin Islands on what London called a “fact-finding” mission, but Premier Natalio “Sowande” Wheatley said the move does not amount to a …
The United Kingdom’s threat of direct rule over the Virgin Islands remains in place after London missed its long-anticipated aim of settling the contentious matter by the end of June. …
Continue reading “Direct-rule threat still in play as UK delays”
As questions rage over the extent of government involvement in the crisis-hit Bank of Asia, Premier Natalio “Sowande” Wheatley has lashed out at what he called “slanderous” claims regarding a …
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”
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 …
Efforts to tackle climate change in the territory may soon be eligible for long-delayed funding from a pot that has grown to almost $6 million. After sitting empty for a …
Continue reading “After a decade of delays, climate fund could soon get millions”
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 …
The United Kingdom Home Office will soon vet all Virgin Islands police officers, in part because the territory’s Police Service Commission is not yet up to the task, Governor Daniel …
Continue reading “United Kingdom to vet Virgin Islands cops for now”
Claiming that corruption and organised crime have seriously undermined security in the Virgin Islands, the second volume of a scathing law-enforcement review lays out a 10-year reform plan that would …
Continue reading “Security review sets stage for UK-VI spat”
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 …
The House of Assembly and Governor Daniel Pruce should be ashamed of themselves for leaving in place absurd rules limiting the public’s access to HOA members’ Register of Interests. In …
Continue reading “EDITORIAL: Register of Interests a shameful COI fail”
Premier Natalio “Sowande” Wheatley has hit back against claims that he says unfairly portray the Virgin Islands as a “rogue state” when it comes to fighting financial crime. Mr. Wheatley …
As the government continues implementing the reforms recommended by the 2022 Commission of Inquiry report, it will also work to educate residents about the effort and seek public input on …
Continue reading “Government spreads word about COI reforms”
On Friday, opposition members repeated a claim they have been making for four months, insisting that Premier Natalio “Sowande” Wheatley should be ousted over his alleged failure to tackle rising …
A magistrate tossed out charges against two former Virgin Islands education officials on Jan. 21, effectively ending a criminal case linked to a 2014 wall project at the Elmore Stoutt …
We are cautiously optimistic about the sensible plans included in the legislative agenda unveiled in the recent Speech from the Throne even though the to-do list appears overly ambitious for …
Continue reading “EDITORIAL: Aligning HOA agenda with national plan is wise”
Police have been investigating a video circulating on social media that they said appeared to advocate violence as a form of political expression. They did not provide further details about …
Continue reading “Cops probe video allegedly pushing violence”
The first Speech from the Throne in two years emphasised the elected government’s determination to push ahead with the six broad goals laid out in the territory’s National Sustainable Development …
The past 12 months have not been easy for the Virgin Islands, but 2024 nevertheless brought glimpses of the light at the end of a tunnel the territory entered when …
Continue reading “EDITORIAL: After 7 years of strife, the VI must emerge stronger”