Premier Natalio “Sowande” Wheatley’s bid to create a new “minister of state” role in his government could be an attempt to expand the Cabinet “through the back door,” according to …
March 24, 2025
March 20, 2025
Maynards to be free years early
The mother and son serving prison time for conspiring with then-premier Andrew Fahie to import cocaine into the United States in 2022 are now set to be released several years …
March 17, 2025
Crumbling downs
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 …
March 7, 2025
Money-crime reforms to expand cops’ powers
Police surveillance powers are set to expand under one of three bills the House of Assembly passed Friday as part of ongoing efforts to comply with international anti-money-crime standards. The …
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March 7, 2025
Premier accuses USVI of bullying
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 …
March 3, 2025
New bill to strengthen customs’ power
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. …
March 3, 2025
Trump tariffs could hit VI wallets
Wide-ranging new tariffs set to take effect next week by order of United States President Donald Trump could drive up prices in the Virgin Islands, but the measures are unlikely …
February 27, 2025
Virgin Islands to host youth summit today in London
Neurodiversity and disability in education, LGBTQ+ rights, immigration and migration are among the topics on the agenda today at the 2025 Overseas Territories Youth Summit at BVI House in London. …
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February 21, 2025
Food Fete 2025 kicks off on Jost Van Dyke
Full hearts and full bellies followed a special Friday evening on Jost Van Dyke as the launch of this year’s Lime & Dine event kicked off a year of culinary …
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February 20, 2025
Auditor general probing salary error
Auditor General Sonia Webster is investigating how the government dramatically underestimated the cost of public-service salary increases awarded last year, according to Premier Natalio “Sowande” Wheatley. He made the disclosure …
February 19, 2025
EDITORIAL: Register of Interests a shameful COI fail
The House of Assembly and Governor Daniel Pruce should be ashamed of themselves for leaving in place absurd rules limiting the public’s access to HOA members’ Register of Interests. In …
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February 17, 2025
Premier wants governor out of Cabinet
The Virgin Islands governor should be stripped of his role overseeing Cabinet meetings, leaving the elected members to manage the territory’s affairs on their own, according to Premier Natalio “Sowande” …
February 14, 2025
Premier hits back at UK critics
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 …
February 10, 2025
HOA defied ex-guv on interests register
Last year, legislators quietly defied former governor John Rankin on a key governance reform, ignoring his request to boost transparency by scrapping stringent rules that restrict public access to their …
February 9, 2025
Expert teaches compost tricks
On Sunday afternoon, 42 people young and old arrived at Green VI’s EcoPark in Tortola for the second “No Dig Farming and Composting” workshop presented by English agricultural educator Charles …
February 7, 2025
As UK MPs push for fully public register, FSC boss warns against it
British parliamentarians are urging Premier Natalio “Sowande” Wheatley to allow unrestricted public access to the company-ownership register set to launch by June, but the territory’s top financial regulator warned this …
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February 6, 2025
VI students shown in explicit video, cops say
After reports that an explicit video of Virgin Islands high school students is making the rounds on digital platforms in the territory, police have warned residents about the steep penalties …
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February 3, 2025
Virgin Islands hosts regional marine rescue training
Rescuers from Virgin Islands Search and Rescue joined marine protection crews from Anguilla, Bermuda, the Cayman Islands, Montserrat and the Turks and Caicos Islands for a two-week search-and-rescue training programme …
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January 31, 2025
Government spreads word about COI reforms
As the government continues implementing the reforms recommended by the 2022 Commission of Inquiry report, it will also work to educate residents about the effort and seek public input on …
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January 30, 2025
After Atlantic crossing, Iona stops in VI
The Virgin Islands welcomed P&O cruise ship Iona last Thursday and Friday for the first time during her first Caribbean stop after crossing the Atlantic Ocean from the United Kingdom. …
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January 28, 2025
Premier brands UK anti-corruption czar ‘biased’
Britain’s newly appointed anti-corruption czar is “biased” against the Virgin Islands, Premier Natalio “Sowande” Wheatley said last week when asked to respond to her recent criticisms of the territory. In …
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January 20, 2025
Company register reforms set to spark debate
The “devil will be in the detail” as government moves to expand access to company ownership information this year while still leaving certain restrictions in place, experts said. The comments …
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January 9, 2025
Leaders endorse VI’s call for climate help
Caribbean territories and other small island states facing climate-change threats received a show of support from leaders around the region following an international meeting last month in St. Kitts and …
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January 9, 2025
Throne speech pegged to plan
The first Speech from the Throne in two years emphasised the elected government’s determination to push ahead with the six broad goals laid out in the territory’s National Sustainable Development …
December 13, 2024
Virgin Islands critic is new UK anti-corruption czar
A long-time critic of the Virgin Islands’ financial services sector has been appointed as the United Kingdom’s new “Anti-Corruption Champion.” Baroness Margaret Hodge has pledged to end “dither and delay” …
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