"The light that comes from wisdom never goes out"
Until March 17 the government had begun falling behind in its duty to keep the public informed about COVID-19 in the territory, but it took important steps that day when …
Continue reading “EDITORIAL: In a crisis, communication must be a two-way street”
Some motorbikes and four-wheelers are becoming an increasingly dangerous menace on Tortola roads, and the community needs to fight back before more lives are lost. Two young men were killed …
Continue reading “EDITORIAL: Reckless bikers are out of control on Tortola”
The entire community should be working together to prepare for the potential arrival of the coronavirus strain that has killed more than 1,000 people in a global outbreak originating in …
Continue reading “EDITORIAL: Prepare, but don’t panic, as coronavirus spreads”
Operating a reliable, convenient ferry service between Tortola and St. Thomas is not rocket science. It is not even ferry science. It is plain common sense. But despite decades of …
Continue reading “EDITORIAL: The ferry system is a national embarrassment”
After we criticised the opposition in October for an apparent lack of coordination, we are delighted that members now appear to be working as a team to hold the government …
Continue reading “EDITORIAL: Kudos to an opposition that has much to do”
The government’s plan to establish a medical marijuana industry in the Virgin Islands could be a sound idea, and we applaud the new administration for its decision to move forward …
Continue reading “EDITORIAL: Medical pot could be a boon, but it needs to be done right”
The slow pace of the government’s hurricane recovery is nothing short of a crisis, and the resignation of Recovery and Development Agency CEO Paul Bayly is another major blow to …
Continue reading “EDITORIAL: RDA CEO’s resignation hurts, but it’s no surprise”
In the Virgin Islands, 2019 was a tumultuous year. The territory saw political upheaval, external pressures, dire new revelations about climate change, threats to financial services, and more delays in …
The startling result of the United Kingdom election this month virtually guarantees that the UK will exit the European Union soon, heralding a historic shift in world affairs that will …
Continue reading “EDITORIAL: Virgin Islands must buckle up for Brexit”
As a few large countries delayed needed action at the United Nations Climate Change Conference this month in Spain, people are dying from storms, rising sea levels, droughts and other …
Continue reading “EDITORIAL: COP25 a call to climate action”
As the world observes Human Rights Day this week , all is not well in the Virgin Islands. To commemorate the observance locally, Premier Andrew Fahie should explain why his …
Continue reading “EDITORIAL: Where’s the Human Rights Commission?”
Kudos to the government for working with the United Nations Development Programme to explore the possibilities offered by the so-called “blue economy.” At a time when financial services and tourism …
Continue reading “EDITORIAL: ‘Blue economy’ has promise in the Virgin Islands”
We had hoped to see the government turn over a new leaf this month when its legislative agenda was unveiled in the first Speech from the Throne under its tenure. …
Continue reading “EDITORIAL: HOA needs long-term agenda for making laws the VI needs”
Various events this month have been helping to nurture and preserve Virgin Islands culture, but in-depth dialogue and sustained effort need to continue over the long term if this community …
Continue reading “EDITORIAL: Recent events a great start, but more needed for VI culture”
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 …
Continue reading “EDITORIAL: Thanks, European Union, for shelter funding”
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 …
Continue reading “EDITORIAL: The revised recovery plan is even worse than the last”
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 …
Continue reading “EDITORIAL: Opposition must work as a team”
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 …
Continue reading “EDITORIAL: Traffic woes are getting worse in Road Town”
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 …
Continue reading “EDITORIAL: Sentencing guidelines are huge, but more reforms should follow”
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 …
Continue reading “EDITORIAL: EE closure is one more sign libraries are being neglected”
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 …
Continue reading “EDITORIAL: 30 years later, addressing system is a milestone”
Finally. Two years after Hurricane Irma, public high schoolers are no longer attending class on a part-time basis under a shift system. This welcome news comes with the long-delayed reopening …
Continue reading “EDITORIAL: End of shift system is welcome, but work needed in schools”
Hurricane Dorian’s tragic destruction in the Bahamas was yet another dire warning to the entire Caribbean. Scientists expect climate change to bring more frequent and more intense storms to the …
Continue reading “EDITORIAL: Dorian a tragic warning as global climate warms”
In the two years since Hurricane Irma devastated the Virgin Islands, the territory has made astonishing progress that should make residents proud. Nevertheless, all is not well with the longer-term …
Continue reading “EDITORIAL: Recovery has come far, but all is not well”
In the weeks before the February general election, the former government quickly resurfaced roads across Tortola. Already, those repairs are falling apart. This is extremely disheartening at a time when …
Continue reading “EDITORIAL: Roads must be repaired properly”