"The light that comes from wisdom never goes out"
House of Assembly members publicly debated the 2026 budget estimates for three days last week, sharing widely divergent perspectives on the territory’s future before passing an appropriations bill with amendments …
Continue reading “HOA passes record $562m budget with boosts for security”
The House of Assembly has moved to take greater control of its own affairs. The HOA Management Bill, 2025 — which the HOA passed last Thursday after returning from a …
Secondary students from schools around the territory took part in a mock House of Assembly sitting last Friday as part of celebrations for the 75th anniversary of the restoration of …
Legislators from both sides of the aisle strongly supported a bill they said would bring the House of Assembly’s operations in line with international standards by allowing it to manage …
Continue reading “HOA moves to control more of its own affairs”
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”
Record sargassum growth in the Atlantic Ocean this year has swamped the Virgin Islands — straining filtration systems, blackening jewellery and other metals, and inundating homes, beaches and ports with …
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”
Climate change, tourism, food security, education and artificial intelligence were among the wide-ranging topics tackled during a recent regional meeting where the Virgin Islands was represented by Deputy Premier Julian …
More than a decade after it was first proposed by Virgin Islands businessman Robert Wong, the Drake’s Landing resort and marina development in Havers is belly-up, and the seaside land …
Over the past 10 days in the House of Assembly, the government fast-tracked two bills designed to boost law enforcers’ authority, drawing criticism from opposition members irked by Premier Natalio …
Continue reading “Police, cybercrime bills rushed through HOA”
Sudden shifts in leadership are an occasional feature of any democracy, and dramatic Cabinet reshuffles are not unprecedented in the Virgin Islands. But after the latest shakeup, it is imperative …
Continue reading “EDITORIAL: Smooth transition key amid minister shakeup”
Four of the 15 bills the House of Assembly passed recently pursuant to recommendations from the Commission of Inquiry have now received assent from Governor Daniel Pruce, according to Premier …
Continue reading “Governor has assented to 4 of 15 COI bills”
A dramatic shake-up of the government yesterday saw Lorna Smith ousted as deputy premier and opposition member Julian Fraser crossing the floor of the House of Assembly to replace her. …
The House of Assembly began tackling its final Commission of Inquiry reform this week as legislators debated the first of five bills designed to improve the governance of five statutory …
The Burt Point sewage treatment plant is operational again for the first time since it sustained major damage during Hurricane Irma in 2017. Extensive repairs on the facility were completed …
The new opposition members presented a united front while making their first public appearance together on April 27 during a press conference. Expressing collective frustration, they gave a blow-by-blow account …
For more than 20 years, a party system has dominated Virgin Islands politics, and this year may be no different. As in 2019, four parties are contending the general election, …
Continue reading “Three of four party leaders field questions”
This interview is one of three conducted with party leaders ahead of the 2023 general elections. To read the others, click here. Progressives United leader Julian Fraser is running solo …
Continue reading “Interview: Fraser rallies against VIP re-election”
Small contractors in the Virgin Islands have been losing out on petty contracts under the current government, Opposition Leader Marlon Penn said during a press conference on Tuesday. “One of …
Opposition member Julian Fraser claimed on Sept. 16 to have limited knowledge of the unfinished Sea Cows Bay Harbour Development Project in his Third District, alternately blaming its many problems …
Continue reading “Fraser dodges the blame for project in SCB”
On Monday in the House of Assembly, opposition member Julian Fraser took aim at the recent Ministry of Natural Resources, Labour and Immigration policy of requiring holders of work permits …
To investigate claims of overspending, potential conflicts of interest, and a lack of oversight on the unfinished Sea Cows Bay Harbour Development Project, the Commission of Inquiry called opposition member …
Focusing on elected officials’ financial interests and how they go about allocating $1.8 million each year in assistance grants, the Commission of Inquiry resumed public hearings again this week. COI …
Continue reading “Inquiry probes Registry of Interests, assistance grants”
The Pockwood Pond incinerator is back burning trash after six weeks offline, but Health and Social Development Minister Carvin Malone came under fire in the House of Assembly last week …
Opposition members used their monthly press conference last week to blast the government’s recently announced tourism re-opening protocols, which they said are overly restrictive. Melvin “Mitch” Turnbull (R-D2) said the …
Continue reading “Opposition blasts government’s reopening plans”
