Culinary success The Virgin Islands is well on its way to achieving its goal of becoming a renowned culinary destination if last week’s Gourmet Soiree at Scrub Island Resort was …
November 20, 2019
November 20, 2019
COMMENTARY — Writer weighs in on VG bank, other issues
I am pleased for the people and businesses of Virgin Gorda that they once again have banking facilities, albeit through only one bank, and not full time. Of course, one …
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November 20, 2019
COMMENTARY — Call made for trade school
This writer met a very old friend on a street corner in the Virgin Islands on a recent Wednesday. The man is a political bigwig in these parts and from …
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 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Nationalism has been superseded by globalism.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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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 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 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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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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September 18, 2019
Reporter’s Notebook (September 12, 2019)
Books galore After stopping by the BVI Red Cross headquarters last week for an interview, a Beaconite seized on an opportunity to do something he has been meaning to since …
September 18, 2019
Commentary — More big storms seen as imminent
Belief that the Virgin Islands may escape another devastating hurricane such as Irma, Maria or Dorian is simple delusion and dangerous complacency. As the United Kingdom convulses in a major …
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September 18, 2019
Commentary — Cruise tourism gets a hard look
Cruise tourism has become a big business, with the Caribbean now accounting for more than 35 percent of all such vacations globally. This year more ships will sail in or …
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September 11, 2019
REPORTER’S NOTEBOOK (September 5, 2019)
Helping the Bahamas It’s strange to be out on a sea as smooth as glass, cruising on a boat toward the back of Ginger Island, when more than 900 …