"The light that comes from wisdom never goes out"
When then-Governor Gus Jaspert announced the commission of inquiry into possible corruption in the territory last month, he spoke about a longstanding need for legislative reforms designed to ensure good …
Continue reading “Premier again promises to reform VI governance”
Governor John Rankin first visited the Virgin Islands not on vacation, but to lend his support as leader of a fellow overseas territory in the aftermath of Hurricane Irma in …
Following the bombshell announcement last week that the United Kingdom will lead an independent investigation into potential corruption in the Virgin Islands, Governor Gus Jaspert and Commissioner Sir Gary Hickinbottom …
Pointing to longstanding concerns about poor governance in the territory, outgoing Governor Gus Jaspert on Monday announced a wide-ranging commission of inquiry that will probe allegations of potential corruption, political …
Virgin Islands culture and art were central during a week of community meetings hosted by government ministers throughout the territory, but leaders also addressed issues including the development of Road …
The territory will have a new tourism plan by the end of 2021, Premier Andrew Fahie promised in a New Year’s Day message that also included several other updates about …
After facing criticism for delaying assent to two bills that would decriminalise and legalise medical marijuana, Governor Gus Jaspert said last Thursday that the matter is now in the hands …
As Premier Andrew Fahie and other overseas territory leaders met online with their United Kingdom counterparts last week during the annual Joint Ministerial Council meeting, the UK minister in charge …
Continue reading “In midst of JMC, OT minister resigns over aid cuts”
The United Nations is doubling down on efforts to support the decolonisation of overseas territories, with a dedicated committee recently approving nearly two dozen resolutions to that end for the …
The World Bank has forecasted the “deepest global recession in eight decades” because of the Covid-19 pandemic, and the Virgin Islands is not exempt. Estimates show a $22 million dip …
Continue reading “Budget address pushes airport, pier expansion”
Premier Andrew Fahie extended congratulations from the Virgin Islands to United States President-Elect Joe Biden and Vice President-Elect Kamala Harris on Saturday, shortly after news outlets called the election in …
As the Virgin Islands prepares for a constitutional review, Premier Andrew Fahie should stop picking petty fights with the United Kingdom. Instead, he should use diplomacy to lay the groundwork …
Continue reading “EDITORIAL: Sniping at the UK is not the way toward independence”
Six months have passed since the first two cases of Covid-19 were announced in the Virgin Islands on March 25, and government decisions to control the virus have been met …
Continue reading “ANALYSIS: Six months into Covid-19, uncertainty remains”
Three years after Hurricane Irma, successive governments’ failure to secure the needed level of recovery funding — which now could be doing much more to help the stalled economy through …
Continue reading “EDITORIAL: Covid is highlighting Irma recovery failures”
As the Virgin Islands prepares to celebrate emancipation, elected leaders also turned to the history books this week before greenlighting a constitutional review. Premier Andrew Fahie referenced the political groundswell …
Visitors to and from Jost Van Dyke should soon be able to travel in greater comfort with the anticipated opening of the Dog Hole ferry terminal by July 31. “The …
After about three years of delays caused in part by the 2017 hurricanes, the government is soon to launch a constitutional review, Premier Andrew Fahie announced last Thursday in the …
Continue reading “Government forges ahead to review Constitution”
Last week in the House of Assembly, elected leaders delayed the Consumer Protection Bill and other government business and spent at least 10 hours debating a motion to “reprimand” Governor …
“How much money do we allow for Covid-19?” Premier Andrew Fahie asked last Thursday during a press conference. “That, no one can answer. How much are we going to put …
Continue reading “Premier, governor trade jabs over Protocols”
Premier Andrew Fahie called for greater transparency in government as he reported April 16 on planned measures that would establish a legally binding ministerial code of conduct. “The ministerial code …
The Cabinet has approved certain aspects of an economic stimulus programme designed to help the territory weather the coronavirus pandemic, and full details will be disclosed soon, Premier Andrew Fahie …
Continue reading “Cabinet okays ‘interim’ stimulus framework”
Until March 17 the government had begun falling behind in its duty to keep the public informed about COVID-19 in the territory, but it took important steps that day when …
Continue reading “EDITORIAL: In a crisis, communication must be a two-way street”
Premier Andrew Fahie doubled down on his support for a controversial new cybercrime amendment this week, responding to criticisms from free-speech advocates for the first time since the law took …
Continue reading “Premier stands by law denounced by free-speech groups”
In the face of questions from Opposition Leader Marlon Penn in the House of Assembly on Tuesday, Premier Andrew Fahie stayed mum about the cost of the private security detail …
Continue reading “Premier still tight-lipped on his security detail”
In a move feared by international free-speech advocates, Governor Gus Jaspert announced last week that he had assented to a cybercrime amendment that they predict will stifle free speech and …
Continue reading “Governor okays bill decried by free-speech groups”
