"The light that comes from wisdom never goes out"
Following an explosive public row between Premier Natalio “Sowande” Wheatley and his counterpart in the United States Virgin Islands over planned fee hikes for charter boats, both leaders announced this …
Continue reading “Charter dispute ‘95%’ sorted, premier says”
The city of Flagstaff, Arizona may seem like a peculiar place for the Virgin Islands to look for inspiration on public policy. Nearly 300 miles from the ocean and an …
Just after morning broke on the first day of Spring Regatta racing on Friday, Dr. Robin Tattersall sat aboard a Bavaria 37 sailboat named Jitterbug in Nanny Cay’s inner marina. …
While searching five properties linked to armed-robbery suspects on March 25, police seized a nine-millimetre semi-automatic Glock pistol and 41 rounds of assorted ammunition, they said. As a result of …
“Technical issues” disrupted the government’s new online portal for travellers entering the territory and forced a return to the traditional paper-based system last week, officials announced. It is unclear what …
Continue reading “Gov’t now mum on ‘disruption’ of online entry portal”
Beneath a bright moon, an ocean of cell phone cameras pointed upwards as Jamaican dancehall artist Vybez Kartel took the stage just minutes after midnight. The crowd erupted, and photographers …
Continue reading “Despite criticism, Kartel show draws a crowd”
A tourist was found unresponsive in the waters near The Baths on Virgin Gorda on March 12, police said Monday. “Initial inquiries indicate that the deceased was part of a …
More than two years after the Ellis Thomas Downs closed amid a property dispute, no reopening date is in sight. “We have not yet been able to secure the existing …
During an auction on the evening of March 7 at Government House, historian Mitch Kent held up a plastic-sheathed copy of an 1867 London newspaper containing a story about the …
A controversial plan to raise fees on foreign-based charter boats that operate in the Virgin Islands has been delayed after “intense” talks between Premier Natalio “Sowande” Wheatley and United States …
Ahead of talks with the United States Virgin Islands governor here tomorrow, Premier Natalio “Sowande” Wheatley said his government will not be “bullied” by its neighbour in a public spat …
Premier Natalio “Sowande” Wheatley is absolutely right in seeking to raise yachting fees and otherwise reform the 33-year-old rules governing the territory’s marine industry. But stakeholder protests here and abroad …
Continue reading “EDITORIAL: Yachting reforms need more work”
We have often used this space to praise the Virgin Islands Recovery and Development Agency for consistently getting projects done on time and on budget. Last month, however, we were …
Continue reading “EDITORIAL: WE ferry terminal bid flop raises troubling questions”
New laws being brought in to comply with demands from global financial watchdogs are designed in part to balance civil liberties and transparency, according to Premier Natalio “Sowande” Wheatley. Mr. …
Premier Natalio “Sowande” Wheatley has hit back against claims that he says unfairly portray the Virgin Islands as a “rogue state” when it comes to fighting financial crime. Mr. Wheatley …
Despite a bumpy rollout in recent weeks, we hope the territory’s first online entry system will prove to be a big step in the right direction that will help lead …
Continue reading “EDITORIAL: Online entry system hints at e-gov’t promise”
Government bonds could be issued to pay for the long-delayed expansion of the Terrance B. Lettsome International Airport, according to Premier Natalio “Sowande” Wheatley. In an exclusive interview with the …
Continue reading “Bonds could fuel airport project, premier says”
The Virgin Islands may have reached its saturation point for cruise ships during the tourism high season, but it should work to attract more visits in the slower months, according …
A 28-year-old St. Thomas man was arrested and charged following multiple reports of gunshots in western Tortola during the early hours of Jan. 15, police said Friday. Since then, Shamauri …
Continue reading “St. Thomas man charged for 200 rounds of ammo”
As the government gears up to host a tourism summit next week, the completion target for a long-delayed national tourism plan has been pushed forward again — this time until …
With their backs to the shore, four surfers floated, watching wave after wave roll in to Apple Bay on Dec. 21. They didn’t know it yet, but their individual performances …
The House of Assembly passed the 2025 budget with amendments on Dec. 19 after a lengthy debate over two days that touched on the economy, infrastructure, healthcare, the minimum wage …
Continue reading “Economy takes centre stage at budget debate”
The reopening of Peter Island Resort shows that the tourism industry in the Virgin Islands is returning to its “former glory,” according to Premier Natalio “Sowande” Wheatley. The resort, which …
Continue reading “Peter Island rebirth hailed as big tourism boost”
The past 12 months have not been easy for the Virgin Islands, but 2024 nevertheless brought glimpses of the light at the end of a tunnel the territory entered when …
Continue reading “EDITORIAL: After 7 years of strife, the VI must emerge stronger”
Hundreds of residents flocked to the Josiahs Bay Surf Classic Saturday, where conditions turned on for the 71 surfers competing across seven divisions from this territory and the United States …
