Long-promised campaign finance rules, new voting methods and transparency measures are among the wide-ranging election reforms that could be on the way under a bill recently introduced in the House …
Constitution debate now continuing in private
After six days of debating constitutional reform in public, the House of Assembly entered a closed-door committee session on Friday to continue the talks in private — despite calls for …
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Crime up, but juvie centre stalled
Serious youth crime is on the rise in the Virgin Islands, but plans for a juvenile detention and rehabilitation centre remain mostly at a standstill after nearly 20 years, according …
HOA’s constitutional debate still going after five days
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 …
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‘Father of financial services’ dies at 73
Robert Mathavious, the first managing director and CEO of the Financial Services Commission, died on Sunday, Sept. 14. He was 73 years old. Sometimes dubbed the “father of financial services” …
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Walwyn stands by no-confidence bid
Myron Walwyn has denied that he failed his first major test as opposition leader after his recent no-confidence motion against Premier Natalio “Sowande” Wheatley flopped. Mr. Walwyn, who took over …
Premier fires back after no-confidence motion flops
After a long-delayed bid to oust his government fizzled out on the floor of the House of Assembly last week, Premier Natalio “Sowande” Wheatley fired back at an opposition he …
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Legislators okay extra spending
The House of Assembly approved a schedule of additional provisions — the first one for this year — on Tuesday. Premier Natalio “Sowande” Wheatley said the SAP proposes an overall …
Walwyn takes aim at government
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 …
Anti-crime czar to visit from UK
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 …
Traffic fines could spike soon
Reckless drivers may soon have reason to change their ways. The House of Assembly is considering modernising outdated traffic legislation by upping fines as much as 900 percent, re-aligning with …
Direct-rule threat still in play as UK delays
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. …
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Rymer takes aim at power outages
Powerline inspections, vegetation trimming and automation are among the works under way to address the widespread power outages that have plagued the territory in recent months, according to Communications and …
HOA closes labour inspection loophole
A move to rectify a longstanding legislative mistake by validating labour inspections dating back 15 years was pushed through the House of Assembly last week. Premier Natalio “Sowande” Wheatley told …
WE port tendering to restart
After a protracted tender process drew only two bids that were dramatically over budget, the Recovery and Development Agency is going back to the drawing board with the planned West …
NEOC contract scrapped
Government has cancelled the construction contract for the long-delayed National Emergency Operations Centre in McNamara after paying out more than half its value, and officials hope to hire a new …
Grey-listing ‘not a setback,’ Smith claims
The government has scrambled to put a brave face on the news that the Virgin Islands was recently placed on a “grey list” of jurisdictions subject to increased scrutiny by …
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Premier sidesteps $5 million question
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 …
First female gov’t minister remembered
Eileene Parsons, a former government minister known for promoting Virgin Islands culture and breaking down gender barriers in politics, died on Sunday at the Dr. D. Orlando Smith Hospital. She …
Water declared ‘critical’ priority
To address the widespread water shortages that have infuriated residents in recent months, the government has allocated $8 million and made an official declaration that will allow it to bypass …
Access rules unveiled for company register
Details of the government’s long-awaited reform of its beneficial ownership register — the list of who owns Virgin Islands-registered companies — have finally been revealed. The move comes after prominent …
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Funds, staff low as clinics face struggles
The clinic in East End has closed its doors. Staff at the Anegada clinic recently fell ill because of poor working conditions. Major repairs at the main clinic on Virgin …
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Barge still grounded in Fat Hogs Bay
Last October, government officials said they were working to remove a partially sunk barge in Fat Hogs Bay after opposition member Marlon Penn claimed East End residents had been complaining …
Airport business case still secret
The two completed parts of the ongoing business case for the Terrance B. Lettsome International Airport expansion will remain private for now, according to Premier Natalio “Sowande” Wheatley. “The draft …
Premier on three-country trip
New York, Brazil and St. Vincent and the Grenadines are on Premier Natalio “Sowande” Wheatley’s itinerary during a 12-day trip to attend three meetings. On Sunday, he headed to New …