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 …
May 2, 2025
May 1, 2025
Public tourism meetings cut short
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 …
April 17, 2025
HOA blasts UK security review as guv stays tight-lipped
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 …
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April 10, 2025
Security review sets stage for UK-VI spat
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 …
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April 3, 2025
Maritime rules to be updated
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 …
February 27, 2025
Asia trip hit back at hit job on Virgin Islands, premier says
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” …
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February 10, 2025
HOA defied ex-guv on interests register
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 …
January 23, 2025
No-confidence vote still in works
On Friday, opposition members repeated a claim they have been making for four months, insisting that Premier Natalio “Sowande” Wheatley should be ousted over his alleged failure to tackle rising …
November 28, 2024
VI marks 75 years since Great March
Hundreds of residents marched down Main Street on Sunday afternoon, following in the footsteps of some 1,500 protestors who took the same route 75 years earlier to demand greater political …
November 15, 2024
Books take centre stage at Lit Fest
On Saturday morning, children lined up in the H. Lavity Stoutt Community College Learning Resource Centre according to their age group, waiting patiently to pick out a book to take …
November 7, 2024
Confidence vote could be delayed to next year after gov’t walkout
A no-confidence vote the opposition has been pushing for more than two months may now be delayed until as late as next March following a government walkout last week in …
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November 7, 2024
Legislators okay extra spending
Last week in a Wednesday meeting that started after 5 p.m. and continued into the night, the House of Assembly approved a schedule of additional provisions, a code of conduct …
November 3, 2024
Trellis Bay centre to be ready soon
Government ministers provided updates on hurricane recovery projects, Jost Van Dyke public works, the Belle Vue gym and other efforts in response to questions from the opposition during the Oct. …
September 19, 2024
Financial services reforms continue
The House of Assembly suspended its usual rules on Monday to introduce and pass two financial services bills designed to avoid international sanction by bringing the territory in line with …
September 19, 2024
House tackling last COI reform
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 …
August 23, 2024
A $13 million mistake
In the 2024 Budget Address last November, Premier Dr. Natalio “Sowande” Wheatley announced a Cabinet decision to include about $10 million in this year’s budget to ensure that all public …
August 2, 2024
HOA votes to amend 2021 integrity act
The House of Assembly voted Friday to amend a 2021 integrity law that never took effect and strengthen an Integrity Commission that was never established. The Integrity in Public Life …
June 20, 2024
Crown land legislation passes with amendments
After six days in closed-door committee, the House of Assembly passed a law on Monday that aims to provide a transparent framework for the acquisition, management and disposal of crown …
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April 18, 2024
Burt Point sewage plant back online
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 …
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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May 6, 2023
VIP-led government announces ministries
The new House of Assembly is taking shape. The past week saw the appointment of Progressive Virgin Islands Movement leader Ronnie Skelton as opposition leader and the setting of ministerial …
April 27, 2023
Election: What made the difference?
The at-large race in the general election proved a challenging arena for the incumbent Virgin Islands Party, which secured only one of the four seats available in a blow to …
April 20, 2023
Three of four party leaders field questions
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, …
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April 20, 2023
Interview: Wheatley says turmoil strengthened VIP
This interview is one of three conducted with party leaders ahead of the 2023 general elections. To read the others, click here. It was a baptism of fire. Dr. Natalio …
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August 20, 2021
ESHS rebuild to be under two-part plan
Government is working with the Recovery and Development Agency and two United States-based nonprofits to finalise designs for a rebuilt Elmore Stoutt High School, according to Deputy Premier Dr. Natalio …
