Federal Tax on Rum Supporting Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands

The federal tax on rum in the U.S. generates over $700 million a year, with most of the money going to support Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. However, a controversial deal in 2008 led to a race to the bottom between the two islands, resulting in budget crises and increased subsidies for rum companies.

Disappearance of Sarm Heslop in the U.S. Virgin Islands

The mother of a U.K. woman missing in the U.S. Virgin Islands demands action from President Biden, suspecting foul play and potential corruption in the case. The woman, Sarm Heslop, vanished under suspicious circumstances in 2021, and her boyfriend, Ryan Bane, has a prior domestic violence conviction. Police have faced criticism for their handling of the investigation.