A risky bet Multiple Beaconites attended the Humane Society of the BVI’s Gaming Night on Saturday, but only one of them volunteered as a blackjack dealer on a whim after …
COMMENTARY — Writer sceptical of gov’t claims
I am all for reducing food prices, but I don’t see how the United States Virgin Islands can help us achieve this. Surely most of our imported food comes from …
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COMMENTARY — VI warned of likely hard Brexit
Since I urged the Virgin Islands government to prepare for Brexit in the Jan. 30 edition of the Beacon, the United Kingdom’s Parliaments Withdrawal Agreement Bill (WAB) has become the …
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COMMENTARY — Post-Brexit, OTs’ place considered
Brexit is simple English tribalism. A redefined relationship between the post-Brexit United Kingdom and the overseas territories is inevitable if, as is expected, the turmoil of a post-Brexit Britain becomes …
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LETTER— Dump smoke draws fire from STJ
Dear People of the Virgin Islands, Here is a photo of your smoking, burning dump on Monday. Unfortunately, in the United States Virgin Islands, we get to see and …
REPORTER’S NOTEBOOK (Jan. 30, 2020)
Medical pot The Bahamas, like the Virgin Islands, is among several Caribbean countries that have recently announced plans to consider a medical marijuana initiative. The country’s plan resembles the VI’s …
COMMENTARY — VI urged to prepare for Brexit
The Virgin Islands government would be squandering precious time if it tried to make separate trade deals with the European Union after Brexit, which United Kingdom professor Dr. Peter Clegg …
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COMMENTARY — Victimisation claims cause concern
One politician’s recent assertions about victimisation reveal a pervasive culture. Now, when it comes to victimisation in politics anywhere, all are guilty. There is no innocent political party. Talk to …
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REPORTER’S NOTEBOOK (January 23, 2020)
From pines to palms A new Beaconite has been getting her bearings this month. Dana Kampa grew up in Wisconsin in the United States, and she spent the last two …
COMMENTARY — Royal couple’s exit analysed
The Meghan Markle story is part of the ongoing process of change in the west at a time when the United Kingdom has been slow to enter the 21st Century. …
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REPORTER’S NOTEBOOK (January 16, 2020)
A hopeful start During a Monday sitting in honour of the beginning of the 2020 Law Year — in the fourth floor of the Sakal Place, the new home of …
COMMENTARY — Ideas offered to fix ‘deplorable’ roads
I like to engage anyone who will listen in conversation on current topical issues and matters affecting the well-being of the territory. One such current issue is the deplorable condition …
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COMMENTARY — Brexit seen as likely to benefit offshore
Will Brexit be advantageous to offshore finance? The answer could well be yes. The European Union is pro-regulation of offshore finance for obvious reasons. The EU is much less of …
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REPORTER’S NOTEBOOK (Jan. 9, 2019)
Rastafarians in the service The Telegraph recently reported that the United Kingdom’s Royal Navy has adjusted its rules to allow Rastafarians to keep their long hair and beards. This is …
COMMENTARY — Bikes, bodyguards and pot draw fire
I guess the police commissioner can’t say no to the premier’s decision to allow larger motorbikes into the territory. So he suggests some conditions for importation and regulations for use. …
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COMMENTARY — Iran tensions seen as threat to OTs, world
Will there be a vast war in the Middle East? The Trump Administration has killed Qasem Suleimani, Iran’s top military leader, in an airstrike. This is the biggest escalation in …
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REPORTER’S NOTEBOOK (Dec. 12, 2019)
Fake news No, the Virgin Islands is not moving to an all-bitcoin-based-economy or doing away with the United States dollar, despite what more than a few fake news sites suggested …
COMMENTARY — ‘Inkberry,’ cryptocurrency draw questions
I note Verna Penn Moll’s description of the local old-fashioned Christmas tree in last week’s opinion page. She says it was the “inkberry” or “fishing rod” tree, which is also …
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Commentary — 2019 hurricane response reviewed
The 2019 hurricane season, which saw the immense challenge faced by the Bahamas government in mounting an overall response to the destruction of Abaco by Hurricane Dorian, has prompted much …
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REPORTER’S NOTEBOOK (December 5, 2019)
On the water Given that the charter yacht industry is one of the biggest tourism industries in the Virgin Islands, a Beaconite couldn’t believe it took her so long to …
COMMENTARY – VI Christmas tree explained
A talk-show host on Saturday night posed a seasonal question the radio audience: “What is the name of the tree we traditionally used in the Virgin Islands as the Christmas …
COMMENTARY — Patient recounts health-care journey in VI, UK
Polls show that most Brits would agree with the European Union leader who “reserved a special place in hell” for whoever invented Brexit, but they strongly differ on their attitudes …
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REPORTER’S NOTEBOOK (Nov. 28, 2019)
Not a miſprint While looking over a pair of advertisements from a St. Croix newspaper published in the late 1700s (see page four), a Beaconite noticed something odd. In many …
COMMENTARY — Throne speech draws scepticism
In the United Kingdom, shortly before the election was announced, the queen read “The Queen’s Speech” outlining the government’s proposed legislation for the next session of Parliament. This has since …
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COMMENTARY — Fears of ‘soft colonialism’ aired as UK election looms
As the United Kingdom general election approaches, the country’s ongoing political turmoil over Brexit continues to overshadow the strained relationship between the overseas territories and the UK. The critical issue …
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