The Laundromat A Beaconite who regularly covers the financial services industry was looking forward to watching the new Netflix original film The Laundromat, directed by Steven Soderbergh, which tells the …
November 13, 2019
November 13, 2019
COMMENTARY — Kenyan author’s VI ties noted
In Pursuit of Peace in Africa: An Autobiography, by retired Kenyan Army Lieutenant General Daniel Opande, was published a few months ago in Nairobi, Kenya, but sharp-eyed readers will spot …
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November 13, 2019
COMMENTARY — VI urged to explore ‘blue economy’
The environment extends across all governmental and private-sector actions and operations. As such, the Virgin Islands government should establish a strong environmental programme. Proper environmental management entails conserving, protecting, employing …
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November 12, 2019
EDITORIAL: Thanks, European Union, for shelter funding
The European Union-funded effort to refurbish and stock emergency shelters around the territory is music to our ears. It was also a long time in coming. When Hurricane Irma struck …
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November 6, 2019
REPORTER’S NOTEBOOK (Oct. 31, 2019)
Typo tantrum A Beaconite was disheartened to find several typographical errors in the government’s revised Recovery to Development Plan. The second page, for example, refers to “students beginning housed in …
November 6, 2019
COMMENTARY — NHI interview sparks more questions
Following my comments on National Health Insurance last week, Roy Barry — the deputy director of the Social Security Board with responsibility for NHI — gave a radio interview on …
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November 6, 2019
COMMENTARY — ‘Invisible war’ seen in the West
Nationalism has been superseded by globalism. The world is changing significantly and rapidly. The screams of fear and anger from western citizens — especially blue-collar whites in the United States …
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November 4, 2019
EDITORIAL: The revised recovery plan is even worse than the last
When we heard that the new government was drafting a revised recovery plan as part of its efforts to secure the United Kingdom loan guarantee, we had high hopes. But …
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October 28, 2019
EDITORIAL: Opposition must work as a team
After this month’s House of Assembly meeting, it is clear that the opposition needs to do a better job of working as a team. During the session, different members asked …
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October 23, 2019
REPORTER’S NOTEBOOK (Oct. 24, 2019)
Two in one Over the weekend, a Beaconite had the opportunity to travel to St. Thomas to cover Virgin Islands Friendship Day, a celebration of VI culture attended by representatives …
October 23, 2019
Commentary — VG clinic, other issues spark concerns
If the new Nurse Iris O’Neal Medical Centre is to open soon on Virgin Gorda, with vastly improved facilities, hopefully (that word again — more later), why is the BVI …
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October 23, 2019
Commentary — Call made for governance reforms
Caribbean people swing from one political party to the next with no real rhyme or reason. Rampant waste of taxpayer monies? Stratospheric incompetence? Blatant corruption? Vote them out. Vote them …
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October 21, 2019
EDITORIAL: Traffic woes are getting worse in Road Town
The extra congestion plaguing Road Town in the days since the traffic lights were replaced highlights the urgency of solving the capital’s traffic woes. To that end, the new government …
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October 17, 2019
REPORTER’S NOTEBOOK (Oct. 17, 2019)
The lizard and the nail A Beaconite was first amused, then dismayed, last week when two restaurant patrons claimed to have found objects in their food that shouldn’t have been …
October 17, 2019
COMMENTARY — Gov’t called out over closed libraries
During my first visit to the United Kingdom since 2012, my first priority was to claim my senior citizen’s benefits, like entitlement to free travel on public transport. However, I …
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October 17, 2019
Commentary — UK seen as ‘Balkanised’ amid Brexit woes
Brexit has entered an expected phase. The United Kingdom is becoming Balkanised. The Brexit civil war has generated divisions in the UK that cannot be bridged unless the two sides …
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October 14, 2019
EDITORIAL: Sentencing guidelines are huge, but more reforms should follow
Kudos to the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court for introducing its first set of sentencing guidelines. The new system should help ensure that justice is administered fairly and consistently in the …
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October 9, 2019
REPORTER’S NOTEBOOK (Oct. 3, 2019)
Air anxiety A Beaconite, who suffers from major anxiety in the air, refused to travel by plane for a large portion of her teen years. Until last month, she had …
October 9, 2019
COMMENTARY — As US sanctions Cubans, Russia seen to build Caribbean presence
Sometime next month, Russia Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev is expected to travel to Cuba. His visit is likely to cement the two nations’ future bilateral relations. It comes after months …
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October 9, 2019
COMMENTARY — VI warned of ‘climate change precipice’
Unregulated capitalism and United States isolationism are destroying mankind. One family owning more wealth than hundreds of millions of people is no longer environmentally or socially sustainable in a world …
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October 7, 2019
EDITORIAL: EE closure is one more sign libraries are being neglected
The unexplained closure of the East End public library last month is yet another unfortunate example of successive governments’ longstanding neglect of the territory’s library system. The Virgin Islands now …
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September 30, 2019
EDITORIAL: 30 years later, addressing system is a milestone
Turn right at the yellow house, drive up a steep hill, bear left after the cow field, and turn right immediately past the second mango tree. Most anyone who has …
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September 26, 2019
REPORTER’S NOTEBOOK (Sept. 26, 2019)
Facing Jackass Ghut Following a press conference last week celebrating the launch of the territory’s new addressing system — which is still in its pilot phase — a Beaconite digitally …
September 26, 2019
COMMENTARY — China’s growing influence seen in Caribbean
A few days ago, the Solomon Islands, Taiwan’s largest ally in the Pacific, recognised China. Beijing’s success in encouraging the island grouping to do so is the latest indication of …
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September 26, 2019
COMMENTARY — Ideas offered for storm prep
In the age of global warming, building resilience and defence against climate change and natural disasters have to be at the core of Caribbean social and economic development. Lifestyle change …
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