Before discussing whether the Virgin Islands should pursue greater autonomy from the United Kingdom during the upcoming constitutional review, panellists at a Nov. 8 forum offered ideas about what is …
November 16, 2020
February 18, 2019
Independent candidates pushing for a fresh look
In 2015, few at-large candidates had as extensive a resume as Dancia Penn, who ran as an independent in that year’s general election. The former legislator was the first deputy premier, …
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November 29, 2018
Eco-levy cash caught in government debate
In April 2017, legislators passed the Environmental Protection and Tourism Improvement Fund Act, establishing a $10 levy for non-cruise-ship visitors entering the Virgin Islands. The law — which took effect …
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November 15, 2018
Skelton splitting from NDP; guv moves election deadline up to April
Health and Social Development Minister Ronnie Skelton plans to lead a new political party into the upcoming general elections, which are now due by April 16 after a surprise announcement …
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October 18, 2018
Deputy Speaker Delores Christopher dies at 70
Three-time legislator and Fifth District representative Delores Christopher died on Tuesday. She was 70. Ms. Christopher, the third woman ever elected to the territory’s legislature, was known as a fierce …
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October 18, 2018
Lawmakers punt on human rights law
The establishment of the long-delayed Human Rights Commission has been postponed once again. Last week, after debating a bill designed to bring forward the commission, House of Assembly lawmakers broke …
October 5, 2018
Attorney General sides with speaker amid candidate rumours
Attorney General Baba Aziz issued a legal opinion on Tuesday backing Speaker of the House Ingrid Moses-Scatliffe’s decision to continue serving in her role despite press reports indicating that she …
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September 17, 2018
Audits criticise “pervasive” government contract splitting
In 2012, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Labour issued four contracts for the development of the now-nonoperational BVI Fishing Complex, covering the installation of equipment such as walk-in freezers, …
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August 27, 2018
High earners to get work permits faster, government says
Expatriates making more than $100,000 a year will soon be able to process their work permits much faster than lower-earning employees, according to Government Information Services. The “executive work permit …
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June 22, 2018
Territories to retain EU benefits through 2020, UK says
United Kingdom officials assured overseas territories delegations last week that their European Union privileges would remain in place throughout the 21-month transition period after Brexit begins on March 29, 2019, …
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June 15, 2018
Green Tech to use worms for organic waste composting
Abigail O’Neal is looking to a peculiar ally in the fight to make the territory more waste efficient and food secure: worms. The managing director of Green Technology (BVI) Limited, …
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June 14, 2018
Pickering heads to UK for Brexit Joint Ministerial Council
Deputy Premier Dr. Kedrick Pickering departed the territory on Sunday to serve in Premier Dr. Orlando Smith’s stead during the Joint Ministerial Council meetings in the United Kingdom, according to …
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June 14, 2018
National Democratic Party may face leadership shakeup
By the end of next week, the National Democratic Party could have a new leader for the first time since its inception in 1999. Both Ronnie Skelton, the minister for …
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June 12, 2018
Marchers demand accountability, transparency from government
More than two dozen protesters took to the streets of Road Town on Friday afternoon, demanding “more accountability” and “better money management” from the government of the Virgin Islands. “We …
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May 4, 2018
Lawmakers budget for a deficit in 2018
House of Assembly lawmakers unanimously passed the 2018 Appropriation Act on Friday, budgeting for a deficit for the first time in recent memory. The budget passed with amendments, and though …