"The light that comes from wisdom never goes out"
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”
Without public debate, the House of Assembly passed a bill on Tuesday that includes controversial yachting fee hikes and other reforms that have drawn fire at home and abroad in …
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”
After returning from a closed-door committee session last Thursday, House of Assembly members passed a bill designed to clarify the path to belongership and correct the “unintended ramifications” of an …
The Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sustainable Development has cancelled the six remaining public meetings on a planned national tourism policy, replacing them with “target focus group sessions” that have …
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 …
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”
The House of Assembly is considering a bill aimed at clarifying the path to belongership and otherwise cleaning up an act passed last May. After amending the order paper to …
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”
The second volume of the law enforcement review is extensive. It examines nine public-sector bodies and seven other public service organisations in their roles connected to the criminal justice system. …
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”
After returning from a closed-door committee session last Thursday, the House of Assembly passed a bill that members said is designed to update maritime rules and help keep the seas …
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”
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 …
Keeping the seas safe and retaining the territory’s shipping credentials are among the goals of a bill the House of Assembly is considering this week, leaders said. Kicking off an …
Vaping devices could soon be categorised as tobacco products in the Virgin Islands, and businesses could be required to police customers who try to partake on their premises. Such measures …
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 …
The territory’s 2007 Constitution provided for the creation of a commission charged with helping protect human rights in the Virgin Islands. It was never formed. But now, after 18 years …
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 …
Leaders appear to be nearing a compromise in a bitter dispute over a planned fee increase for foreign-based charter boats using Virgin Islands waters. United States VI Lieutenant Governor Tregenza …
Continue reading “USVI charterers told to prep for rising fees”
As part of the reforms coming out of the 2022 Commission of Inquiry report, government announced on Friday that it had provided public officers last month with a “policy guide” …
Continue reading “Gov’t launches ‘guide’ on discretionary powers”
Police surveillance powers are set to expand under one of three bills the House of Assembly passed Friday as part of ongoing efforts to comply with international anti-money-crime standards. The …
Continue reading “Money-crime reforms to expand cops’ powers”
New laws being brought in to comply with demands from global financial watchdogs are designed in part to balance civil liberties and transparency, according to Premier Natalio “Sowande” Wheatley. Mr. …
Boating businesses here and abroad are crying foul over government plans to overhaul the rules for the marine industry in Virgin Islands waters. Three bills introduced recently in the House …
A top-level trade delegation to the far east has succeeded in combating recent international “media attacks” on the reputation of the territory’s financial services industry, according to Premier Natalio “Sowande” …
Continue reading “Asia trip hit back at hit job on Virgin Islands, premier says”
