Opposition Leader Marlon Penn sought a comprehensive list of Cabinet decisions during a recent House of Assembly sitting, but Premier Andrew Fahie declined to provide it, first claiming that it …
Demolition progresses at admin complex
Demolition and waterproofing work has progressed at the Ralph T. O’Neal Administration Complex this year despite complications caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, according to Transportation, Works and Utilities Minister Kye …
COMMENTARY —Covid, Festival, Olympics addressed
Covid-19, the August Emancipation Festival and the Olympics are all worthy of a separate commentary. Nonetheless, there is currently a confluence of these issues, so I will take the bold …
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Magistrates’ Court still holding hearings remotely
After the Magistrates’ Court closed indefinitely on June 30 following a staff member testing positive for Covid-19, its Sakal Place offices reopened on July 12 with limited hours, but the …
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August Festival events postponed
Last year’s August Emancipation Festival was marked with a mashup of virtual and in-person events featuring live-streamed musical showcases and poetry competitions as well as small traditional markets and food …
Clerk: HOA was ‘overwhelmed’ with Covid applications
The Commission of Inquiry called House of Assembly Clerk Phyllis Evans to testify on July 14, asking her why incomplete applications for pandemic aid were accepted, how ministers decide who …
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Dominican Republic man at large after escaping detention
Dominican Republic native Wilking Sanchez Tejeda is still at large after escaping detention at the Hotel Castle Maria on July 4, Police Information Officer Diane Drayton said via WhatsApp yesterday. …
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After months of calm, Covid cases explode
Last week, the known active cases of Covid-19 in the Virgin Islands exploded to record highs, climbing from 13 on June 28 to 821 today as the outbreak spread into …
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First VI Day celebrated quietly
With Virgin Islandsthemed balloons decorating tables, the territorial song playing from speakers, tarts and guavaberry rum being shared, and employees sporting T-shirts with popular sayings like “One hand can’t clap,” …
Arriving visitors far outnumber residents
Since the Terrance B. Lettsome International Airport reopened to tourists last December, 7,554 visitors arrived there through April 21, eclipsing the 2,805 belongers, work permit holders, and other residents who …
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First day of relaxed entry rules sees chaos
The Virgin Islands took another step toward normality on Saturday, when travel restrictions were relaxed to allow most fully vaccinated travelers to be released from quarantine as soon as they …
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COMMENTARY — Show host, others called out
In the House of Assembly, members can get away with saying almost anything under privilege without fear of retribution, except perhaps for calling another member a liar. It is not …
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Mental Health Month tackles Covid-19
For Dr. Virginia Rubaine, Mental Health Month takes on added importance this year as the community struggles with the Covid-19 pandemic. “We’re going to be providing information about adapting after …
As curfew ends and seaports reopen, Premier eyes full June reopening
After cases of Covid-19 recently spiked to their highest level in months before again receding to 10 as of yesterday,Virgin Islands leaders are forging ahead with plans to ease restrictions …
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COMMENTARY — Pandemic lessons explored
What was the common denominator for countries and territories that kept the pandemic to a minimum? Unlike in the United States, Brazil and the United Kingdom, draconian action and effective …
COMMENTARY — Residents urged to get vaccine
The decision to take the Covid-19 vaccine or not is primarily a personal one. However, the effect and outcomes of not doing it may not exactly be so personal after …
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Vaccines rollout continues
The first phase of the Covid-19 vaccines rollout continued this week, but not before government and other officials first led by example by receiving the first few jabs at a …
COMMENTARY — Full Caribbean tourism recovery seen as a possibility after 2021
Last year was a disaster for Caribbean tourism. Estimates suggest that visitor arrivals to the region fell by 75 percent in the last three quarters of 2020, causing overall Caribbean …
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COMMENTARY — Questions raised about exotic-dancer warning
We are continuously being told by our leaders that qualified Virgin Islanders and belongers must come first in any employment stakes. Last week, the premier rants on for three hours …
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