Last year, legislators quietly defied former governor John Rankin on a key governance reform, ignoring his request to boost transparency by scrapping stringent rules that restrict public access to their …
February 10, 2025
May 20, 2024
Anegada drug plane to be sent to US
A drug plane seized last August after landing at the Captain Auguste George International Airport in Anegada will soon be sent to the United States, Premier Dr. Natalio “Sowande” Wheatley …
April 11, 2024
HOA votes to change Register of Interests
House of Assembly members voted this week to make changes to their Register of Interests, but the extent of those changes is not clear because a bill they passed Tuesday …
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March 25, 2024
Bill keeps restrictions on interests register
When lawmakers voted in July 2022 to make the Register of Interests public as advised by the Commission of Inquiry, they also added several viewing restrictions that drew strong criticism …
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February 16, 2024
After Rutley visit, premier ‘confident’ on reforms
Nearly half an hour late to the press conference he called on Friday morning, Premier Dr. Natalio “Sowande” Wheatley stepped into the multimedia room on the first floor of his …
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February 10, 2024
OT minister brings sharp warning
Last month, outgoing governor John Rankin wrote to United Kingdom Overseas Territories Minister David Rutley to request additional powers to help his successor push through delayed Commission of Inquiry reforms. …
July 27, 2023
Public asked to help cops curb crime
Following a daylight armed robbery on July 1 and a high-speed boat chase last week, National Security Council leaders acknowledged concern among community members about violent crime and asked for …
July 6, 2023
New governor to arrive in January
A career diplomat with 34 years of experience will replace Governor John Rankin in January, the Governor’s Office announced on Friday. Daniel Pruce will take over at a fraught time …
May 11, 2023
Premier, governor attend coronation
As one of his first orders of international business since his re-election last month, Premier Dr. Natalio “Sowande” Wheatley joined world leaders in witnessing the coronation of King Charles III …
January 27, 2023
Throne speech promises wide-ranging reforms
Reforms to governance, education, environmental protection, health care and other areas are among the government’s legislative priorities for a new House of Assembly session that started Tuesday, Governor John Rankin …
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October 21, 2022
Friendship Day to return on Saturday
A celebration marking the 50th anniversary of British Virgin Islands-United States VI Friendship Day will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday at the Cyril B. Romney Tortola Pier Park …
October 13, 2022
After 20 years, public service compensation review starts
Asked to identify their primary job-related concern, 79 percent of Virgin Islands public officers who took a recent survey mentioned insufficient pay. Those concerns may soon be addressed with the …
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October 6, 2022
Kudos and ‘concern’: Governor reviews reforms
Governor John Rankin on Oct. 4 published his first quarterly report on the ongoing reforms recommended by the Commission of Inquiry, guardedly praising the overall progress while also noting a …
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October 6, 2022
Did Rankin okay Fahie sting in VI?
Nearly six months after then-Premier Andrew Fahie was arrested in Miami, new questions are arising about whether United Kingdom officials knew of the sting operation here that led to his …
September 23, 2022
Premier, governor attend Queen’s funeral
The world watched this week as Queen Elizabeth II was laid to rest following her death on Sept. 8, and Virgin Islands leaders joined in mourning both here and in …
May 4, 2022
HOA offers plan to avoid direct UK rule
In an attempt to avoid the partial suspension of the Constitution and a temporary takeover of the Virgin Islands government by the United Kingdom, VI political leaders are proposing that …
April 29, 2022
COI officially recommends 2-year UK takeover [FULL REPORT INCLUDED]
The day after Premier Andrew Fahie’s arrest in Miami, Governor John Rankin said Friday morning that he had decided to expedite the release of the Commission of Inquiry report, which …
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February 24, 2022
Vaccine now available for kids ages 5 to 11
As Covid-19 cases fall rapidly since the omicron spike that started in December, a shipment of 500 paediatric doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine is now available for ages 5 to …
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February 9, 2022
The 3 Cs: Governor talks Covid, COI, crime
Managing the pandemic, keeping up with the Commission of Inquiry, and overseeing changes within the public service made for a busy first year in office for Governor John Rankin. Mr. …
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February 3, 2021
September 16, 2020
Bermuda governor to succeed Jaspert
Governor Gus Jaspert, who has served the Virgin Islands for just over three years, announced today that current Bermuda Governor John Rankin will take his place at the start of …
