"The light that comes from wisdom never goes out"
Earlier this month at a conference on Caribbean security, Barbados Prime Minister Mia Motley spoke about the consequences of the war in Ukraine and the now unavoidable impact it will …
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Food-sufficient countries frequently possess a vibrant internal market culture. This is a way of life driven by farming and associated commercial activity. Food and drink are critical for human existence …
Continue reading “COMMENTARY — ‘Agriculture, fisheries and inflation’”
Scooter lessons A Beaconite got her first lesson in riding a scooter on Sunday. Though she’s been able to operate one on the roads of Martha’s Vineyard and Anegada, she …
Tournament triumph Being out on the water for Saturday’s Wahoomania tournament brought back a lot of fond memories of family fishing trips for one Beaconite. There’s just nothing like being …
For most, a passport denotes citizenship, belonging, certain rights, and residence. For others, especially the world’s wealthy, obtaining a “stronger” additional passport than the one provided by their country of …
Continue reading “COMMENTARY — ‘Citizenship by investment’ under fire”
Nothing better illustrates the divide that exists between today’s Caribbean and its past than two unfortunate images of Prince William and his wife Catherine during their recent visit to Jamaica: …
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Rising inflation diminishes the economic and social well-being of consumers, especially people on fixed incomes: employees, retirees, students on scholarship, small business owners of nonessential products and services, and unemployed …
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Court reporting For one Beaconite, reporting on a recent High Court trial was made more stressful by the difficulty of obtaining basic information about the case from relevant government offices. …
Caribbean Community heads meeting in Belize recently could not have been clearer about the “perfect storm” that is about to strike the Caribbean. Speaking at a post-summit press conference, Belize …
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Before invading Ukraine, Russian President Vladimir Putin would have done well listening to Chinese philosopher Sun Tzu: “The supreme art of war is to subdue the enemy without fighting.” Success …
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Russia President Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine was the act of a tyrant and bully. There will be no benefit to Russia in the long run of plunging the world …
Everywhere a sign The BVI Tourist Board is installing large signs around the territory as Instagram-ready photo ops, and they are similar to ones already appearing in destinations around …
The pandemic is impacting young males especially hard. Crime and deviancy from male youth in the Virgin Islands has been a worrisome trend. From general antisocial behaviours to outright murder, …
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TCPD shoutout In last week’s Reporter’s Notebook, a Beaconite lamented his difficulties in accessing information from Her Majesty’s Prison, the Governor’s Office, and the Ministry of Health and Social Development …
Learn and teach history for right context — not emotion. History should teach fact, not act as a crutch for patriotism and nationalism. Now, in this writer’s opinion, history is …
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Prison outbreak A Beaconite has been disappointed with government officials’ reticence to release information about a Covid-19 outbreak at Her Majesty’s Prison. It has been well documented throughout the pandemic …
The report of the Commission of Inquiry stands between normal and abnormal. Consequently, there is no certainty with today’s governance. The “tea leaves” are impossible to read presently. And there …
Who to blame? Several verses can be added to this Caribbean calypso to highlight the way our poor territory is being dragged over a cliff into the abyss. The latest …
Continue reading “COMMENTARY — WE terminal plan draws questions”
North Sound In the past, North Sound, Virgin Gorda had never been much on one Beaconite’s radar. Having moved to the Virgin Islands shortly before Hurricane Irma, her first boat …
In the age of Covid-19, countries and territories that are able to swiftly and robustly deliver digital services and products to their residents will win and prevail socially and economically. …
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Dog welfare Over the weekend a Beaconite hiked from Hannah all the way up the ghut to Sage Mountain National Park, which was certainly the most adventurous hike he’s taken …
Change is the one constant in life. From the time we are born to the day we die, the one thing that is certain is change and its sibling uncertainty. …
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Virgin Islands family, question for you: “What do you envision our beloved Virgin Islands will look like in 2040?” I will be in my 60s, and I most definitely want …
Continue reading “COMMENTARY — VI urged to review 15-year plan”
VI Monopoly A Beaconite spent an enjoyable evening last week trying to become a property mogul in the Virgin Islands as she played the VI-themed Monopoly game recently released by …