Britain’s anti-corruption czar should “educate” herself about the Virgin Islands during her upcoming visit next month, according to Premier Natalio “Sowande” Wheatley. His comment came amid mounting tension between the …
August 22, 2025
August 21, 2025
Carifesta will deliver, promises the premier
Rejecting recent opposition claims that he is the “party premier,” Premier Natalio “Sowande” Wheatley defended his support of entertainment events while introducing a 53-member delegation the government is sending to …
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July 11, 2025
HOA closes labour inspection loophole
A move to rectify a longstanding legislative mistake by validating labour inspections dating back 15 years was pushed through the House of Assembly last week. Premier Natalio “Sowande” Wheatley told …
June 19, 2025
VI on ‘grey list,’ but leaders aim to exit in 2 years
In a move that could tarnish the Virgin Islands’ reputation and frustrate its financial sector, a global anti-money-laundering watchdog has added the territory to its list of 24 jurisdictions under …
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May 15, 2025
Governor Pruce denies double standard on transparency
Governor Daniel Pruce has denied double standards after it emerged that he won’t be required to declare his interests in the territory’s new register for senior public officers. Mr. Pruce …
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April 10, 2025
Premier warns about food, energy costs
There is a “real threat” that food and electricity bills in the Virgin Islands will spike because of the tariff war unleashed by United States President Donald Trump, Premier Natalio …
December 20, 2024
Chamber seeks answers on minimum wage
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 …
September 5, 2024
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 …
August 29, 2024
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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August 1, 2024
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 …
May 21, 2024
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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May 17, 2024
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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May 16, 2024
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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May 3, 2024
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 …
May 3, 2024
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 …
March 24, 2024
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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March 14, 2024
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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February 29, 2024
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. …
November 3, 2023
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 …
December 16, 2021
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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November 10, 2021
September 29, 2021
June 2, 2021
February 17, 2021
June 17, 2020
