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 …
November 27, 2020
November 19, 2020
Budget address pushes airport, pier expansion
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 …
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November 13, 2020
Premier congratulates Biden, Harris
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 …
October 19, 2020
EDITORIAL: Sniping at the UK is not the way toward independence
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 …
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October 4, 2020
ANALYSIS: Six months into Covid-19, uncertainty remains
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 …
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September 14, 2020
EDITORIAL: Covid is highlighting Irma recovery failures
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 …
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July 31, 2020
House votes to review 2007 Constitution
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 …
July 1, 2020
JVD ferry terminal nears completion
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 …
June 18, 2020
Government forges ahead to review Constitution
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 …
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June 12, 2020
House nixes motion to censure governor
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 …
May 28, 2020
Premier, governor trade jabs over Protocols
“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 …
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April 24, 2020
Code of conduct in works for ministers
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 …
April 20, 2020
Cabinet okays ‘interim’ stimulus framework
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 …
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March 23, 2020
EDITORIAL: In a crisis, communication must be a two-way street
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 …
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February 28, 2020
Premier stands by law denounced by free-speech groups
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 …
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February 27, 2020
Premier still tight-lipped on his security detail
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 …
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February 21, 2020
Governor okays bill decried by free-speech groups
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 …
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February 17, 2020
Another bill triggers free-speech alarms
In the midst of harsh criticism from free-speech advocates about a cybercrime amendment that took effect last Wednesday, the House of Assembly is now considering another proposed law that has …
February 6, 2020
Territory wary as Brexit arrives
“The UK is now outside the European Union,” Governor Gus Jaspert said during a Monday press conference. “But there are some important messages for people in the BVI in terms …
January 24, 2020
Fahie defends bill opposed by free-speech advocates
Despite media organisations abroad strongly opposing parts of a cybercrime bill that awaits Governor Gus Jaspert’s assent, Premier Andrew Fahie doubled down on his support for the legislation this week. …
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January 16, 2020
Runway extension ‘a must,’ premier says now
During last year’s election campaigns, now-Premier Andrew Fahie vigorously opposed the incumbents’ plan to extend the Beef Island runway as soon as possible, insisting that the effort should not be …
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December 1, 2019
Junior ministers trade places with no notice
Fewer than nine months after their original appointment, the government’s two junior ministers traded places on Monday, Premier Andrew Fahie announced the next day. As of Monday, Shereen Flax-Charles (R-at …
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December 1, 2019
Citing ’49 march, premier promises constitutional review
Following the 70th anniversary of the march that led to the restoration of the Virgin Islands’ legislature, Premier Andrew Fahie announced plans to initiate a delayed constitutional review process before …
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November 25, 2019
Premier announces $414 million budget
In a speech that acknowledged looming economic challenges but included various plans to boost public revenue without major tax hikes, Premier Andrew Fahie promised a $414 million budget in the …
August 31, 2019
Ex-BVIAA chair fires back at premier, says July claims were largely false
Former BVI Airports Authority Chairman Glenn Harrigan wrote a scathing letter to Premier Andrew Fahie this month, claiming that some of Mr. Fahie’s July criticisms of the BVIAA were false …
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