Global Voices » British Virgin Islands

Caribbean: the meaning of identity

Nicholas Laughlin — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 21:59:53 +0000

Creative Commess hosts a blog symposium “about Caribbean people, about West Indian people, about our contemporary experiences … ranging through race & identity to culture, mental health to constructs of beauty and more,” with contributions from seven Caribbean bloggers.

Caribbean: Caribe Wave 11, the first simulated tsunami alert

Claire Ulrich — Tue, 22 Mar 2011 18:55:33 +0000

On Wednesday, March 23, the first full-scale simulated tsunami alert exercise will take place in 33 countries in the Caribbean to test the effectiveness of alert, monitoring and warning systems (Hashtag on Twitter: EXERCISE - NOT REAL #CW11) . Open Street Map France [Fr] and Crisis Camp Paris [Fr] will join this exercise to encourage awareness and use of social media tools during emergencies in the French speaking West Indies.

Latin America, Caribbean: Increase in Food Prices

Silvia Viñas — Fri, 04 Mar 2011 19:53:26 +0000

Bloggings by Boz writes: “The FAO reports that February 2011 was a yet a new high on food prices. This has led to several warnings from organizations in Latin America and the Caribbean including ECLAC [Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean] and the IICA [Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture] that commodity markets are volatile and several countries are very vulnerable to price swings and food insecurity issues.”

Jamaica, B.V.I.: Non-Indigenous Species

Janine Mendes-Franco — Fri, 18 Feb 2011 18:54:08 +0000

Lemurs in the Caribbean? Labrish Jamaica calls on Sir Richard Branson to do the right thing.

B.V.I.: Hard Hit by Otto

Janine Mendes-Franco — Fri, 08 Oct 2010 14:13:36 +0000

Repeating Islands republishes news of the British Virgin Islands' struggle to operate under a State of Emergency, which was enforced due to severe flooding.

B.V.I.: Heritage Tourism

Janine Mendes-Franco — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 18:52:29 +0000

Repeating Islands reports that the British Virgin Islands are exploring the benefits of heritage tourism.

British Virgin Islands: conservation victory

Nicholas Laughlin — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 15:24:12 +0000

Repeating Islands reports on a legal victory for environmentalists in the British Virgin Islands, who oppose the construction of a hotel and golf course in a protected area.

Puerto Rico, B.V.I.: Earthquake

Janine Mendes-Franco — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 13:39:30 +0000

Repeating Islands reports on an earthquake that was felt yesterday in Puerto Rico and the British Virgin Islands.

Caribbean: WI Cricket Website

Janine Mendes-Franco — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 14:10:38 +0000

West Indies Cricket Blog thinks that “the official website of the West Indies Cricket Board…is now a waste of space on the world wide web. An embarrassment and a disgrace…”

Caribbean: Region Scores Big in Stanford 20/20 Cricket

Janine Mendes-Franco — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 19:15:19 +0000

A section of the crowd at the “Stanford 20/20 for 20 Super Series” - Photo courtesy Stanford 20/20 for use by media. Photography credit: Mediaimran - visit his flickr photostream.

U.S. billionaire Allen Stanford is trying to remake the face of cricket in hopes of turning it into the number one spectator sport in the world, perhaps one day even surpassing the popularity of football and baseball in his home country.

To this end, he has opened a cricket-themed restaurant (The Sticky Wicket) in Antigua, made a point of honouring West Indian cricket greats via The Sticky Wicket Hall of Fame and built the Stanford Cricket Ground - the location for his latest “big idea” - a 20/20 contest in which the winning team walks away with US$20 million (that's US$1 million per man) and the loser gets…well, nothing.

The “Stanford Superstars” celebrate the taking of another English wicket - Photo courtesy Stanford 20/20 for use by media. Photography credit: Mediaimran - visit his flickr photostream.

It all happened this past weekend. The Stanford Superstars roundly embarrassed the England team, winning the match by an astounding ten wickets and becoming overnight millionaires in the process. West Indian bloggers put in their two cents' worth…

From Trinidad and Tobago, This Beach Called Life says:

Whether people agree or not, 20/20 is the future of Cricket. I say this because in the real world of sports money talks louder than the traditionalist. 20/20 Cricket promoted by billionaire Sir Allen Stanford, has taken the gentleman’s game of cricket to a new commercial level very few sports enjoy. 20/20 may hardly resemble traditional test cricket and the limited 50 over game but it is intensely entertaining and may just be what the Americans will order if it is on the menu.

The 20 million dollar men - Photo courtesy Stanford 20/20 for use by media. Photography credit: Mediaimran - visit his flickr photostream.

Caribbean Beat Blog was thrilled at the victory and thought it went a long way to firing up regional cricket fans who have had more than their fair share of disappointment over the last few years:

A few minutes ago, the West Indies' Stanford Superstars seized a US$20 million victory in the Stanford 20/20 Super Series from tournament favourites England – without losing a wicket!

And it was a thrashing.

The future of the nascent Stanford 20/20 form of cricket, often maligned for being an American abbreviation of the game and for several peculiarities and controversies over the last week, seems to be secure. According to its creator, Sir Allen Stanford, ‘Caribbean cricket is back! This programme is working!'

And whether playing for regional pride or the US$1 million-a-player purse, the team gave often-disappointed West Indies fans plenty to celebrate, and much to feel hopeful about.

Abeni, who was “not actively following the game” from St. Vincent and the Grenadines, was “still very happy the team won”:

Given their performances as the West Indies team, I didn't really give them much of a chance but they sure rose to the occasion. My only wish is that the young men use it wisely. Too often we hear of persons who have made millions becoming destitute all because of poor financial decisions. So fellas, enjoy your windfall but live smart.

Champagne Celebration - Photo courtesy Stanford 20/20 for use by media. Photography credit: Mediaimran - visit his flickr photostream.

In the words of Caribbean Beat:

Congrats to our million dollar men!

St. Vincent & the Grenadines: Windies Beat South Africa

Janine Mendes-Franco — Mon, 31 Dec 2007 14:18:59 +0000

“This victory is so huge given the history of South African tours”: Abeni is thrilled that the West Indies cricket team have finally won a test match.

Trinidad & Tobago: More of the Same

Janine Mendes-Franco — Fri, 14 Dec 2007 18:41:16 +0000

“Does anyone actually know of any (other) company where this sort of thing happens and the persons responsible are not seriously reprimanded?” asks West Indies Cricket Blog, on hearing news of the West Indies Cricket Board's latest bungle.

Barbados: Going Places

Janine Mendes-Franco — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 19:22:59 +0000

Gallimaufry is pleased that several Caribbean destinations made it onto The New York Times‘ list of “53 places to go in 2008″.

Caribbean: West Indies Cricket Board Elections

Janine Mendes-Franco — Tue, 17 Jul 2007 13:37:55 +0000

“You might think that the position is so blighted that no one wants it, or you may think it just odd that only one name apiece was tossed into the circle for the posts of president and vice-president of the West Indies Cricket Board.” Vaneisa Baksh at CaribbeanCricket.com weighs in on the WICB's upcoming elections.

Jamaica, Grenada, BVI, USVI: Focus on Tobias Buckell

Janine Mendes-Franco — Fri, 06 Jul 2007 14:08:14 +0000

Geoffrey Philp profiles Caribbean-born speculative fiction writer Tobias S. Buckell.