BVI News—News from BVI

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Premier announces record $559M budget for 2027

Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley has proposed a $559.1 million budget for 2027, with the largest ministry allocation going to communications and works. Presenting the budget address in the House of Assembly on Tuesday, Dr Wheatley said the proposal included $460.4 […]
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Bad hospital experiences dominate social media — Wheatley

Health Minister Vincent Wheatley has expressed concern that negative experiences at the Dr D Orlando Smith Hospital receive widespread attention on social media, while positive accounts of patient care often go unreported. Speaking on the Virgin Islands Voice programme recently, […]
14

Dr Wheatley is professor, not Premier material — Cline

Prominent National Democratic Party (NDP) member Bishop John Cline has questioned Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley’s leadership credentials, arguing that his academic background did not adequately prepare him to govern the Virgin Islands. Several members of the public have blamed the […]
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Sympathy, criticism follow Cathy Richards’ deportation

The deportation of veteran journalist Cathy Richards has sparked mixed reactions across the territory, with fellow media professionals expressing sadness while some residents insist that the law must take its course. Richards, a Guyanese national who worked in the BVI […]
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BVI needs more nightlife for visitors — Hodge-Smith

Junior Minister for Tourism and Culture Luce Hodge-Smith has called for more nightlife and entertainment activities in the Virgin Islands, saying the territory needs to improve its offerings to keep visitors interested and encourage longer stays. Speaking on the government’s […]

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BVI economy continues to ...
Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley has said the Virgin Islands continues to perform well despite global economic...
October 27, 2026 at 6:02 AM
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Premier defends inaction ...
Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley has defended his handling of the controversial $5 million government deposit...
October 26, 2026 at 6:30 AM
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I’ve told Vanterpool he s...
Honestly Speaking talk show host Claude Skelton Cline has revealed that he personally told former legislator...
October 26, 2026 at 6:20 AM

14

Disaster building unfinished after $6.3M spend

The government spent nearly $6.3 million on the unfinished disaster management building by the end of June, Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley told the House of Assembly, as officials evaluated bids for a replacement contractor. In response...
October 26, 2026 at 6:18 AM
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BVI ignoring homelessness challenge — Vanterpool

People’s Leadership Movement (PLM) leader Mark Vanterpool has accused the BVI of ignoring homelessness, citing accounts of people living in vehicles and calling for more resources to help residents in need. Speaking on the party’s...
October 26, 2026 at 6:10 AM
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Willock blames NDP neglect for water crisis

Former House of Assembly Speaker Julian Willock has blamed the National Democratic Party’s (NDP) years in government for the BVI’s water problems, accusing the party of failing to upgrade infrastructure while opposing the Biwater...
October 26, 2026 at 6:06 AM

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BVI tops one million visitors in first nine months

The BVI recorded 1,071,716 visitor arrivals between January and September 2026, Junior Minister for Tourism and Culture Luce Hodge-Smith confirmed during an appearance on Virgin Islands Voice. The total includes cruise passengers,...
October 23, 2026 at 7:36 AM
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Penn calls for separate water plant to service cruise ships

Opposition Leader Marlon Penn is calling for a separate water production plant to supply cruise ships visiting the BVI, arguing that the vessels are consuming water that could otherwise be used to ease shortages in local communities. Speaking...
October 23, 2026 at 6:23 AM
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Walwyn and Stevens win DPP’s judicial review challenge

Sixth District Representative Myron Walwyn and former public officer Lorna Stevens have defeated the Director of Public Prosecutions’ judicial review challenge to the dismissal of breach-of-trust charges arising from the Elmore Stoutt...
October 23, 2026 at 6:21 AM

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BVI calls for more cruise ships at regional conference

The BVI is seeking to attract more cruise ships to its shores following discussions with major cruise operators at a regional conference in Puerto Rico last week. A BVI delegation attended the 32nd Annual Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association...
October 23, 2026 at 6:16 AM
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Premier rebukes USVI Governor over charter fee ‘pressure tactics’

While offering to host talks on Tortola, Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley has accused US Virgin Islands Governor Albert Bryan Jr of using pressure tactics over the BVI’s charter vessel fees. Addressing the House of Assembly recently,...
October 23, 2026 at 6:12 AM
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Skelton Cline warns voters about PLM’s tactics

Commentator Claude Skelton Cline has urged voters to scrutinise the People’s Leadership Movement’s (PLM) electoral strategy, claiming the party hopes to help form a coalition government if no party secures an outright majority. Skelton...
October 22, 2026 at 7:36 AM

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NDP cancels Halloween party after outcry from Christians

The National Democratic Party (NDP) has cancelled a Halloween event organised by its youth movement following public backlash from members of the Christian community who condemned the celebration as inappropriate for children. In...
October 22, 2026 at 6:19 AM
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Vanterpool scraps plans to turn Admin building into commercial complex

People’s Leadership Movement (PLM) founder Mark Vanterpool has backed away from his recent proposal to transform the Ralph T O’Neal Administration Complex into a commercial facility, following public pushback against the...
October 22, 2026 at 6:13 AM
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Premier, Opposition clash over HOA questions

Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley and opposition members clashed in the House of Assembly yesterday, October 21 over questions on public finances, water supply and government projects, with the Speaker repeatedly intervening to direct proceedings. Opposition...
October 22, 2026 at 6:09 AM

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Penn presses gov’t over results of $100M loan

Opposition Leader Marlon Penn has called on the government to account for what its $100 million loan facility has delivered, pressing for details of completed projects, expenditure and the debt obligations the territory continues to...
October 22, 2026 at 6:07 AM
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Premier apologises for inappropriate language in meeting with legislators

Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley has apologised to the Speaker and all members of the House of Assembly for language he used during a heated informal meeting, but maintained that he would not apologise for being upset with opposition members. The...
October 21, 2026 at 6:36 AM
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Boys caught with cannabis at ESHS

Police are investigating a suspected drug transaction involving two male students at the Elmore Stoutt High School (ESHS) after a small quantity of cannabis was discovered on the school compound. BVI News understands that the two...
October 21, 2026 at 6:31 AM

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Gov’t releases funds to address water, derelicts, garbage disposal

The government has approved additional funding to address water shortages, remove derelict vehicles and increase payments to private garbage collectors as part of a $44.9 million Supplementary Appropriation Provision (SAP). The SAP...
October 21, 2026 at 6:28 AM
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Willock pledges 2027 run, rules out challenging Fraser

Former House of Assembly Speaker Julian Willock reaffirmed his intention to contest the 2027 general election, while maintaining that he will never run against Third District Representative Julian Fraser. Speaking during a podcast...
October 21, 2026 at 6:06 AM
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Digicel urges customers to protect WhatsApp accounts

Digicel has urged customers in the BVI to keep their WhatsApp verification codes private and enable two-step verification, warning of ongoing attempts by hackers to access individual accounts. In a social media security advisory,...
October 21, 2026 at 6:03 AM

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BVI users report widespread WhatsApp bans and lockouts

Several WhatsApp users with Digicel and Flow numbers have reported account access problems, with some saying they were locked out of personal and business accounts on the messaging app. Comments across multiple Facebook discussions...
October 20, 2026 at 7:51 AM
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Similarities in string of robberies fuel frustration over lack of arrests

Armed robbers continue to target businesses across Tortola, with striking similarities emerging in the methods used in several incidents and growing public frustration over the lack of arrests. Despite the recurring reports of armed...
October 20, 2026 at 6:20 AM
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Forbes pledges reliable water for D3 within 90 days of a PLM gov’t

People’s Leadership Movement (PLM) candidate for the Third District, Clifton Forbes, has pledged to secure a consistent water supply for his district within the first 90 days of a PLM government, if the problem remains unresolved...
October 20, 2026 at 6:18 AM