Business leaders are seeking answers after the government suddenly delayed a much-vaunted increase in the minimum wage. Confusion still surrounds the reason for Premier Natalio “Sowande” Wheatley’s decision to postpone …
Opposition tries no-confidence vote
Citing a lengthy list of grievances and accusing the premier of “incompetence,” the opposition attempted to topple the government with a vote of no-confidence on Tuesday in the House of …
EDITORIAL: Public needs answers on giant salary mistake
Like many residents, we are dumbfounded. We cannot even begin to understand how the government’s laudable attempt to update all public officers’ salaries to a “living wage” misfired so badly …
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Cops tight-lipped on weekend shootings
One man was killed and another seriously wounded in separate weekend shootings that officials described as unrelated. Police, however, have provided few details. Jareem Todman, 34, was shot multiple times …
Spearfishing illegal for now, premier says
Spearfishing is currently prohibited in the Virgin Islands, but Premier Dr. Natalio “Sowande” Wheatley expects that to change when a new fisheries law and regulations take effect later this year, …
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Old administration building to be repaired
Government plans to renovate the former government administration building and its annex at the Sir Olva Georges Plaza, but no firm timeline has been set for the project, according to …
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Festival reports released with names redacted
Premier Dr. Natalio “Sowande” Wheatley has refused to name the businesses and individuals hired for festival celebrations in 2022 and 2023, leading opposition member Marlon Penn to compare him to …
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August Festival to mark 70 this year
There will be much to celebrate during this year’s August Emancipation Festival. “We’re celebrating not just the 70th anniversary of Festival, but we’re celebrating 190 years of emancipation, 190 years …
Pair charged for 2023 murder
Two men were charged last week in connection with the killing of Kemo Lettsome on April 30, 2023, in Long Look, police said. Members of the police Major Incident Team …
United Nations decolonisation committee to visit
The Virgin Islands was recently approved to receive a visiting mission from the United Nations Special Committee on Decolonisation, according to Premier Dr. Natalio “Sowande” Wheatley. “The purpose of such …
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Property tax, buildings bills passed in HOA
The property tax and buildings bills were among legislation passed in House of Assembly this week. The Property Tax (Amendment) Bill 2023, which passed with amendments on March 5, is …
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For foreign travel, $3.5m in five years
Over the past five years, the government spent nearly $3.5 million on foreign travel expenses including accommodation, transportation, subsistence and warm clothing allowances, according to Premier Dr. Natalio “Sowande” Wheatley. …
Buy BVI back for first time since Irma
For the first time since the 2017 hurricanes, businesses from around the territory showcased their offerings last week at the Buy BVI Trade Expo. The event — which the BVI …
Virgin Gorda airlift boosted as holidays ramp up
Efforts to make a grand holiday season are beginning this week with flights three times daily between Virgin Gorda and Puerto Rico starting tomorrow, Premier Andrew Fahie said during a …
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Police are now protecting the premier
After Premier Andrew Fahie faced backlash about hiring a private security detail with public money last year, the task has been assigned to trained police officers. “The force now has …
57 planning applications okayed in 3 weeks
A new Planning Authority board has hit the ground running by clearing a “backlog” of 57 applications in three weeks, Premier Andrew Fahie said Friday. The approved projects, he said, …
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Cruise execs look for culture, history
In an effort to brainstorm ways to earn more from the cruise ship passengers who visit the Virgin Islands, representatives from four cruise lines hosted a public meeting last week …
Premier’s Office silences RDA CEO
Over the past five weeks, Recovery and Development Agency CEO Paul Bayly scheduled and cancelled three interviews with the Beacon before ultimately declining to speak at the reported request of …
FCO fires back at premier on loan guarantee
As Premier Andrew Fahie continued to criticise the United Kingdom’s offer of a £300 million loan guarantee for the hurricane recovery, the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office fired back Monday …
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Premier, guv face off over loan guarantee
In a surprise move last week, Premier Andrew Fahie publicly pushed back against the conditions the United Kingdom would attach to the £300 million loan guarantee that it first offered …
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