"The light that comes from wisdom never goes out"
Transparency-related tensions have again erupted between the Virgin Islands and Britain, which recently launched a new anti-corruption strategy that suggests overseas territories should launch fully public registers of beneficial ownership. …
Continue reading “VI hits back at London over transparency “
Leaders from five United Kingdom overseas territories met last week on Scrub Island to discuss shared issues including climate change, security, governance, UK relations and more, according to government. The …
As the Virgin Islands prepares for a tourism season expected to bring a record number of visitors, a long-promised policy and plan to help guide the sector have been delayed …
Like many residents, we felt great pride last week as Virgin Islands artists, singers, writers and other creatives waved the territory’s flag at the Caribbean Festival of the Arts in …
The Virgin Islands government plans to follow the example of other Caribbean islands that are working to develop a year-round tourism season, according to Premier Natalio “Sowande” Wheatley. “We want …
Shortly after the April 2023 general election, the six House of Assembly members then on the opposition talked a good game. Promising to work closely together to hold the government …
Continue reading “EDITORIAL: A fractured opposition won’t get the job done”
Hundreds lined the roadside on Friday for a government-organised anti-crime march that set off from the Road Town Police Station shortly after 6:30 p.m. and concluded at the Huntums Ghut …
After a long-delayed bid to oust his government fizzled out on the floor of the House of Assembly last week, Premier Natalio “Sowande” Wheatley fired back at an opposition he …
Continue reading “Premier fires back after no-confidence motion flops”
Using education to build bridges with Asia will boost the Virgin Islands’ economic growth, according to Premier Natalio “Sowande” Wheatley. The premier made the comments at a Friday recognition ceremony …
By the end of the month, students at the Virgin Islands’ first medical school will be living here and taking classes, officials said. The Ponce Health Sciences School held a …
The sudden exit of the Virgin Islands Deposit Insurance Corporation’s CEO last month was unrelated to the regulator’s action against the Bank of Asia on May 26, according to Premier …
Continue reading “VIDIC chief’s exit not linked to bank saga, premier says”
The United Kingdom’s threat of direct rule over the Virgin Islands remains in place after London missed its long-anticipated aim of settling the contentious matter by the end of June. …
Continue reading “Direct-rule threat still in play as UK delays”
The government’s director of international relations got her day in court, and she came out on top. A magistrate ruled Monday that crown prosecutors had failed to provide sufficient evidence …
Continue reading “Court tosses out case against Najan Christopher”
We were shocked to hear Opposition Leader Myron Walwyn claim convincingly last week that the government deposited more than $5 million in Bank of Asia (BVI) Limited at a time …
Continue reading “EDITORIAL: Gov’t must explain $5m Bank of Asia deposit”
Government officials should have known that Bank of Asia (BVI) Limited was failing when they deposited more than $5 million of taxpayer money in it earlier this year, Opposition Leader …
Continue reading “Walwyn slams premier over $5m Bank of Asia deposit”
Premier Natalio “Sowande” Wheatley has struck a defiant tone by insisting that the Virgin Islands will go its own way despite pressure from British politicians to publicly disclose who owns …
The government’s ongoing push for greater autonomy has received a boost from the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States. The regional block threw its weight behind Virgin Islands leaders at a …
Strong actions including mandatory prison terms for ammunition possession are needed to combat an “alarming” spate of gun crime in the Virgin Islands, according to Opposition Leader Myron Walwyn. Mr. …
After three long years, two conflicting narratives have emerged about the Commission of Inquiry reforms. On one extreme is the view that they will usher in a golden era of …
Continue reading “EDITORIAL: COI brought major progress, but work must not stop now”
In January, we breathed a sigh of relief when the government announced a series of public meetings about the national tourism plan it is promising by October. Finally, we thought, …
Continue reading “EDITORIAL: Remaining tourism meetings should be open to the public”
Efforts to tackle climate change in the territory may soon be eligible for long-delayed funding from a pot that has grown to almost $6 million. After sitting empty for a …
Continue reading “After a decade of delays, climate fund could soon get millions”
We are disappointed that Premier Natalio “Sowande” Wheatley has decided to sidestep the advice of his own Minimum Wage Advisory Committee and increase the baseline hourly wage only to $7.25 …
In the Caribbean, calls have grown louder for United States President Donald Trump to rethink his tariff trade war due to price hikes expected across the region. Democrat Stacey Plaskett, …
The recently completed law-enforcement review offers an extensive 10-year plan to solve appalling security failures caused by decades of underfunding and other neglect by the United Kingdom and Virgin Islands …
Continue reading “EDITORIAL: Security recs mostly sound, but UK power grab not okay”
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 …
Continue reading “HOA blasts UK security review as guv stays tight-lipped”
