Power outages at the Dr. D. Orlando Smith Hospital will be a thing of the past after a major upgrade to the facility’s generator system under a more than $845,000 …
January 16, 2026
January 15, 2026
Charter fee row explodes again with Trump appeal
The international row over sharp rises in charter fees here has reignited, with the United States Virgin Islands calling on US President Donald Trump to use the “full weight” of …
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December 22, 2025
Tourism expected to set more records this high season
Live music played at the Cyril B. Romney Tortola Pier Park as thousands of tourists filed off one of three cruise ships that called in the Virgin Islands on a …
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December 19, 2025
London backing airport expansion, premier says
Ambitious plans to expand the Virgin Islands’ main airport could soon get a boost from Britain, according to Premier Natalio “Sowande” Wheatley. Claiming a major breakthrough at last month’s Joint …
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December 15, 2025
How to hold a referendum
With the Virgin Islands government pushing to set a 2031 date for a referendum on the territory’s political status, a recent report by leading academics offers advice for the way …
December 5, 2025
Lions launch holidays with tree lighting
Sir Olva Georges Plaza was abuzz with the Christmas spirit Saturday night as the Lions Club of Tortola kicked off its annual holiday festivities with its Christmas Tree Lighting and …
December 4, 2025
Premier calls UK summit a success
A top-level London summit of the leaders of the United Kingdom’s overseas territories and the British government was hailed a big success by Premier Natalio “Sowande” Wheatley. The annual Joint …
November 29, 2025
Wheatley defends UberSoca party
Despite controversy surrounding the UberSoca Cruise visit that shut down much of Road Town on the afternoon of Nov. 18, Premier Natalio “Sowande” Wheatley defended the event last Friday and …
November 28, 2025
Leaders meet VI diaspora in London
Virgin Islands students and professionals living in the United Kingdom met with Premier Natalio “Sowande” Wheatley on Monday during the government’s annual Diaspora Gathering at BVI House in London. The …
November 27, 2025
Premier co-chairing JMC in London
Premier Natalio “Sowande” Wheatley is leading a delegation to London this week to attend a series of high-level meetings with leaders from the United Kingdom and its overseas territories covering …
November 27, 2025
New acting top cop sworn in
Amid widespread controversy over his appointment, Richard Ullger assumed the position of interim acting police commissioner following a Nov. 19 swearing-in ceremony at Government House. “While this appointment is temporary …
November 27, 2025
Referendum could come in six years
A referendum on the territory’s political status — which would give voters a chance to choose between independence and other options — could come in 2031, Premier Natalio “Sowande” Wheatley …
November 25, 2025
JVD museum to honour Buffalo Soldier
Toward the end of World War II in Italy, a group of about 30-40 German soldiers surrendered to Virgin Islander Roy Caldwood and his platoon in the 92nd Infantry Division …
November 25, 2025
Work-permit reversal sparks confusion
The government sparked confusion last week by abruptly stating that indefinite work permit exemptions had been scrapped — only to U-turn in the face of widespread concern. In a reversal …
November 25, 2025
Friendship Day marks 51 in St. Thomas
For Premier Natalio “Sowande” Wheatley, the annual celebration of USVI-BVI Friendship Day is personal. His grandfather Willard Wheatley was chief minister when the territory first hosted the event here in …
November 21, 2025
Soca cruise parties through Road Town
Dancing through the streets of Road Town on Tuesday afternoon, thousands of revellers from the UberSoca Cruise took part in a “Punk Rock J’ouvert” where they threw colourful powder and …
November 21, 2025
Premier to bring top-cop petition to UK meetings
The cry of “Justice for Jackie!” rang out across the streets of Road Town on Friday, Nov. 14, as protestors voiced their anger at the demotion of Jacqueline Vanterpool from …
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November 17, 2025
Long Look to get social home complex
By the end of next year, Long Look should have a new social home complex to house residents who are homeless or facing other struggles, officials said last week. During …
November 14, 2025
Premier preps for London talks later this month
Governance, security, constitutional reform and other topics will be on the agenda when Premier Natalio “Sowande” Wheatley leads a delegation to London for the Joint Ministerial Council later this month, …
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November 14, 2025
Premier slams UK’s ‘fiscal straitjacket’
When it comes to borrowing for major infrastructure projects, the Virgin Islands is trapped in a financial “straitjacket” imposed by the United Kingdom, Premier Natalio “Sowande” Wheatley has claimed. The …
November 13, 2025
Record $550m budget set out
Premier Natalio “Sowande” Wheatley unveiled a record-setting 2026 budget with proposed spending of more than half a billion dollars during a nearly two-and-a-half-hour address last Thursday in the House of …
November 13, 2025
Premier cries ‘dictatorship’ as top cop demoted
Premier Natalio “Sowande” Wheatley compared Governor Daniel Pruce to a “dictator” as tensions between the two men exploded over Mr. Pruce’s decision to remove Jacqueline Vanterpool from the post of …
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November 7, 2025
House marks 75 years
The House of Assembly met Tuesday for a special sitting that kicked off a series of events celebrating 75 years since the restoration of the territory’s elected legislature in 1950. …
November 7, 2025
HOA moves to control more of its own affairs
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 …
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November 7, 2025
VI rallies for Melissa victims
Donation drives and a telethon are among the Virgin Islands’ ongoing efforts to assist Jamaica and other islands devastated last week by Hurricane Melissa. Last Thursday, the Association of Jamaican …
