The BVI Airports Authority recently received a boost that officials said will bring increased access to regional expertise and other perks. During an Oct. 5-7 conference in Trinidad, the agency …
VI repped at Caricom session
Climate change, trade and regional security were among the topics on the agenda when the Virgin Islands took part in the 41st inter-sessional meeting of Caribbean Community heads of government. …
Four injured in two-scooter crash
Four people were injured in a traffic accident involving two motor scooters in the Fort Recovery area shortly before 5 p.m. Monday, police said the same day. The four were …
Doughty’s digs draw backlash from HOA
A new war of words erupted between the House of Assembly and London after the United Kingdom threatened fresh action against the territory if the pace of ongoing public-sector reform …
Leverick boat wreck blamed on speed
High speed, abrupt manoeuvres and inexperience at the helm contributed to a near-fatal speedboat roll-over shortly before the 21st annual Leverick Bay Poker Run in May, according to the first …
Premier open to scrapping HOA secrecy
Following growing backlash over legislative secrecy, the coming constitutional reforms could end the House of Assembly’s colonial-era practice of holding its most important deliberations behind closed doors. Premier Natalio “Sowande” …
Premier mum about cost of ‘Greedy Bill’
During a press conference on Oct. 3, Premier Natalio “Sowande” Wheatley promised to provide two key pieces of information about public spending under the controversial 2021 law widely known as …
Cops probe gunfire, break-in attempt
An attempted break-in at Meyers Estate and gunfire in Baughers Bay last week were added to a string of serious crimes across Tortola in recent weeks. Both incidents, which involved …
Tourism plan, policy delayed again
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 …
Wheatley changes tune on ‘Greedy Bill’
During the 2023 election campaign, Premier Natalio “Sowande” Wheatley promised not to collect “a dime” of the lucrative post-term salaries that legislators had awarded themselves when they passed the so-called …
Smith: Civil service letting down businesses, public
Entrepreneurs and other residents are suffering because the Virgin Islands’ civil service is slow, ineffective and unaccountable, Financial Services and Economic Development Junior Minister Lorna Smith told the House of …
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Elections bill promises big changes
Long-promised campaign finance rules, new voting methods and transparency measures are among the wide-ranging election reforms that could be on the way under a bill recently introduced in the House …
Premier ‘hopeful’ UK will help expand airport
Britain could help the Virgin Islands government finally deliver on its controversial plan to move ahead with a major airport expansion on Beef Island, Premier Natalio “Sowande” Wheatley told the …
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VI urged to shed ‘bad money’ rep
The Virgin Islands must boost transparency and “clean up” its reputation for attracting “bad money” if it wants to grow its financial services sector, British Anti-Corruption Champion Baroness Margaret Hodge …
Constitution debate now continuing in private
After six days of debating constitutional reform in public, the House of Assembly entered a closed-door committee session on Friday to continue the talks in private — despite calls for …
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HOA’s constitutional debate still going after five days
Premier Natalio “Sowande” Wheatley stood before a hushed House of Assembly last Thursday morning and launched legislators’ first official debate on constitutional reform in nearly two decades. “The Virgin Islands …
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Lady Hodge urged not to snub media
United Kingdom Anti-Corruption Champion Baroness Margaret Hodge has been urged not to shun the media during a high-profile visit to the Virgin Islands in the coming days. Lady Hodge is …
Immigration fees spiking sharply
A spike in immigration fees will see the price of some services increase as much as 9,900 percent, according to a government announcement issued last Thursday. Among the steepest increases …
Climate-policy review restarts eight years late
After two false starts and eight years of delays, the government has launched a required review of the 2012 Virgin Islands Climate Change Adaptation Policy. The results could prove a …
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Judge halts case against cop, blaming the crown
Accusing prosecutors of “unreasonable” delays and a “lamentable failure” to produce required disclosure, a judge recently halted a three-year-old case against a Virgin Islands police officer accused of indecently assaulting …
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Teen and 25-year-old charged for guns
A 17-year-old Virgin Gorda boy and a 25-year-old Mount Healthy man were arrested last month in connection with separate gun seizures, police said on Aug. 1. The teenager, of North …
Cybersecurity tackled at telecom meeting
Cybersecurity, regulatory advances and artificial intelligence were among the key topics on the agenda during a major regional meeting attended by Virgin Islands telecommunications regulators. Held July 13-16 in Nassau, …
Legislators okay extra spending
The House of Assembly approved a schedule of additional provisions — the first one for this year — on Tuesday. Premier Natalio “Sowande” Wheatley said the SAP proposes an overall …
Walwyn takes aim at government
A long-delayed no-confidence motion against Premier Natalio “Sowande” Wheatley’s administration was finally launched by the opposition Tuesday night as government members were urged to abandon their leader and vote with …
EDITORIAL: Strategic plan a big step toward better healthcare
It is no secret that the Virgin Islands’ public healthcare system is struggling, with two community clinics shuttered and other facilities across the territory understaffed, under-equipped and under-resourced. This month, …
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