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Daily Mirror
11-05-2025
- Daily Mirror
Direct flight links UK to tiny country different to other Caribbean islands
''Hi, I'm Ralph,' says a gregarious figure with warm eyes and salt and pepper hair as he crosses the terminal of Argyle International Airport. His presence piques the interest of waiting passengers and soon a small crowd – some seeking selfies – gathers for a glimpse. The casual opening remark belies the man's status but, given he has been Prime Minister of St Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG) for 24 years, Ralph Gonsalves requires little introduction here in his homeland. South of St Lucia, west of Barbados and north of Grenada, I am in St Vincent (the largest of SVG's 32 islands) to sample the delights of a destination emerging from the shadow of the Caribbean's holiday giants. Tourism in this volcanic former British colony erupted last year, increasing by 25% to 101,471 overnight visitors – a figure similar to the country's modest population. Mr Gonsalves was instrumental in creating the nation's first international airport – where our chance encounter takes place – and quips 'love is in the air' as he recalls its inaugural flight on Valentine's Day 2017. The 78-year-old also cut the ribbon last March at the official opening of Sandals, a luxury all-inclusive resort directly responsible for the recent influx of travellers, which is accessible via direct flights of approximately 11 hours from London Heathrow. I check in to the sprawling five-star retreat – the first such property on St Vincent and the newest of the chain's 17 adults-only hotels spread across eight Caribbean islands – the day after its first anniversary. Cradled by lush mountains, there are 301 rooms and suites, including 10 lavish two-storey overwater villas, four swimming pools and a spa set amid a 50-acre site looking out over Buccament Bay. So, why should sunseekers venture to this lesser-known corner of the Caribbean Sea? 'Let me put it into perspective for you,' says Jamaica-born Tamon Allen, the hotel's amiable general manager, as we sit down for dinner at Sora, one of 12 on-site restaurants. 'St Vincent would be Jamaica back in the 70s, so 50 years behind; Barbados, it would be maybe 30 years behind; St Lucia, about 20 years behind. They've not modernised St Vincent and I think that's what makes it so special. 'If you go to the windward side of the island and drive all the way to La Soufrière mountain, it is just breathtaking: the nature, the pureness, and the simple lifestyle that the locals live – absolutely amazing.' My home for three nights is a spacious garden suite complete with patio soaking tub. It comes with 24-hour room service and a personal butler, who is on call from 8am to 10pm and can arrange breakfast in bed, dinner reservations and, if necessary, unpack my suitcase. I tweak Tamon's suggested itinerary and opt to explore the Leeward Coast on the west side. With local expert Quency Lewis at the wheel, we wind through verdant hills and coastal valleys flanked by quiet fishing villages and secluded coves of volcanic black sand. 'This is basically how St Vincent is, like a rollercoaster,' says the charismatic tour guide as we snake north from the capital city Kingstown. I discover the archipelago's principal landmass, which is just 18 miles long and has a maximum width of 11 miles, is fertile ground prime for fruit production and home to waterfalls, rainforest and walking trails. La Soufrière looms large in the north and is a popular spot for hikers. The 4,048ft volcano erupted in 2021, covering the island in ash and forcing nearby residents to evacuate homes. It was previously active in 1979 – the year SVG, which remains in the Commonwealth and retains King Charles III as head of state – gained full independence, having been under British rule since 1763. I glimpse the volcano during a sunset cruise from Sandals (an exclusive treat for butler-level guests). Clouds linger over the peak as daylight gradually fades. The brooding weather is in stark contrast to the mood on board where crew members dance to blaring soca (soul of calypso) music while serving rum punch and bottles of Hairoun, St Vincent's award-winning lager. A pod of bottlenose dolphins dive and weave at the bow of the boat before we approach Wallilabou Bay. The harbour introduced the world to Johnny Depp's Captain Jack Sparrow and will be familiar to many as the fictional Port Royal from the Pirates of the Caribbean films. Just around the jagged coastline, the captain points out Old Man's Trousers, an arch-shaped rock formation where prop skeletons were hanged as a warning to Sparrow and other marauding buccaneers. Sandals, which was largely unscathed when Hurricane Beryl devastated parts of the region last July, offers numerous opportunities for seafaring. A wobbly paddleboard outing from the resort's palm-tree lined beach (constructed with imported white sand) provides a gentle introduction before I increase the adrenalin by skimming across the surface on a tubing ring attached to a speedboat. Scuba diving (for PADI-certified guests), kayaking and snorkelling are also complimentary, while beach volleyball, croquet and tennis are among the activities on dry land. Visitors eager to island-hop have plenty of options too. The pristine beaches of Bequia – the closest Grenadian island – are around 10 miles south of Kingstown and just an hour away using daily ferries, while a handful of neighbouring countries can be reached in tantalisingly short flight times. My Caribbean odyssey begins at the very southern tip of the Windward Islands in Grenada. The Spice Isle, renowned for its production of nutmeg, mace and cinnamon, is an ideal partner to St Vincent for those in search of a twin-centre trip. While there is more of a do-it-yourself feel in up-and-coming SVG, Grenada – accessible by air in just 45 minutes – has a greater tourist infrastructure, but it is still refreshingly uncrowded. After getting my bearings by taking in the sweeping views from Fort Frederick (built between 1779 and 1783), I travel down into the pretty capital St George's before heading north into the hills. Near the shores of Grand Etang, a crater lake that features on the country's coat of arms, I catch sight of a mona monkey. The primates arrived here aboard 18th-century slave ships and are otherwise found exclusively in west Africa. Later, I cool off beneath the 30ft Annandale Waterfall before finishing the day at Grand Anse, Grenada's most famous stretch of sand – a short distance from my luxurious lodgings at Sandals on Pink Gin beach. Back on St Vincent, I sip a final pina colada prior to waving goodbye to Sandals by speedboat (another butler-level perk). The journey to the departure gate concludes on a short stretch of 'rollercoaster' ocean road ahead of my impromptu audience with the PM. 'There's a Sandals effect undoubtedly,' Mr Gonsalves tells me as talk turns to tourism before we board the same flight to the UK. 'It has been phenomenal – an amazing, amazing impact.' Unassuming, uncluttered and largely untouched, flourishing St Vincent blends natural beauty, adventure and relaxation with undiluted Caribbean charm.
The Guardian
20-04-2025
- Politics
- The Guardian
‘I've been assaulted': Reform's BAME candidates seeking local election wins
'I've been assaulted, I regularly get verbal abuse, I got a death threat one time. But until the people come to their senses, I will stand,' Raj Forhad, a Reform UK candidate, says. The 43-year-old, who owns a software business, is part of a growing group in politics – British voters from ethnic minority backgrounds who campaign for Nigel Farage's party. Recent research found Reform tends to poll best in areas with a large white population. Polling indicates the party, which is criticised by anti-racism campaigners, had a vote share of 3% among ethnic minority voters, compared with 16% among white voters. However, the party fielded 17 candidates from ethnic minorities in the 2024 general election, and some insiders regard the ability to win over voters traditionally loyal to Labour – including Black and Asian people in big cities – as 'pivotal' to its growth. The local elections on 1 May represent a milestone for Reform, which is also eyeing the Runcorn parliamentary byelection and mayoral elections on the same day. But some party activists are already looking ahead to 2026, when London's local elections take place, eager to learn if they can turn values among ethnic minority communities – particularly regarding enterprise, education, family and faith – into votes. 'We're putting the same effort into bringing over true Labour voters as we did into bringing over Conservatives. London is the acid test,' Neville Watson, Reform's only black branch chair, said. Hainault is an east London ward that will be voting on 1 May, in a Redbridge council byelection in which Forhad is standing. He stood in last year's general election as the candidate for Ilford South, where he said he was attacked on the campaign trail for standing for Reform, but did not report it to police. Forhad came to the UK from Bangladesh in 2010. 'The main reason I joined Reform is because of the policies they have, the contract they have with the people, the country, on the NHS, on immigration,' he said. 'Myself as an immigrant, the way illegal migrants are brought in this country, that's impacting everyone.' Watson, who chairs Reform's branch in Enfield, north London, says he 'firmly' supports 'positive immigration that is managed, coordinated and thoughtfully timed'. 'It's about space, not race,' the father-of-two says when asked how he reconciles his identity as the son of Jamaica-born, Windrush Generation parents with perceptions of his party. 'I have the values my family – who put so much in – have always stood for: hard work and aspiration.' A community activist with a background in social enterprise, youth work and SEND, Watson 'personally' supports economic reparations for the 'unimaginable wrong' of slavery, saying it had driven a 'deep-rooted and sometimes subconscious racism' and 'left a deep, indelible mark on the lives of a people'. So what attracted him to Reform? 'Brexit,' for starters. He added: 'I sought a political home where I could express my authentic voice, one that embraces my Christian faith with confidence. Reform UK represents the values that were once central to mainstream politics but have now shifted to the right. It's a space where these principles can thrive and be championed unapologetically.' Like Watson, Navtaij Sangha, a former British army bursar from a 'military Sikh family', is a north London-based Reform activist who believes Britain is exemplary. 'Where in the world would you have access to the best education, the best job opportunities?' the 45-year-old management consultant said. 'There may be barriers and challenges, but it probably is somewhere like the UK.' He added: 'We haven't got it 100% perfect. But I think it's class that drives [inequality], not race.' Forhad, setting out from home to put leaflets through doors, agrees. He's insistent that if he can get on, anyone can. 'All this campaigning I feel I owe to this country, because this country has given me everything: my life, my future, my career,' he said. 'The way this country has given me the foundation, with my intellect, my talent, that's understood by Reform UK – and they valued my contribution. Some of the negative campaigning that Reform is a racist party I think is complete nonsense.' He added: 'Myself, I'm a Muslim, but I believe my religion is a private matter, nothing to do with my politics, because if I consider myself as a Muslim voter then I'm not considering my residents who are Christian, or Jews, who are Hindu, who are atheist. I have that kind of positive mindset.' Labour dominates Forhad's area, at ward and constituency level. But he sees an opportunity to win people over on local issues – such as potholes, policing and ULEZ – along with the message of 'family, community, country'. In north London, Sangha has been working on a long-term strategy for how Reform 'can take the big cities … something the Tories cannot do'. Like Watson, Sangha thinks Labour, which enjoyed a 46% vote share among ethnic minority voters, has taken that popularity for granted. His father, Mohinder Singh Sangha, is a Labour councillor in Leicester. Research has found that 35% of ethnic minority voters born outside the UK supported Leave in the EU referendum, compared with 21% of those born in the UK, for a variety of reasons. 'I think discussing immigration is not a bad thing,' Sangha said. 'People that came in the 60s, the 70s … huge numbers of those settled immigrant communities voted for Brexit.' He added: 'It is very easy to allow the debate to be hijacked by people who are frankly just nasty racists. But it's equally destructive to just label anyone who wants to discuss these things as far right.' Sangha argues that voters from British ethnic minority communities he has met while campaigning are wary of what he calls 'identity politics'. He said: 'They kind of want to be left alone, to just get on with life, earn a living and bring up kids. And now suddenly the politics they've tried to escape is being imported.' He doesn't accept that Reform has its own brand of 'identity politics'. 'I'm a big believer in the UK nation state,' Sangha added. 'There has to be some kind of national unity … people just want things to work.' For Watson, 'past missteps' – incidents that may lead people to question whether Reform is really a force for national unity – are 'opportunities to learn and grow'. Like Sangha, he says he encountered patronising and divisive attitudes from some people on the left before joining Reform. 'There's a common misconception Black and Asian voters form a homogenous group,' Watson added. 'While we may share certain aspirations – such as striving for the best for our children and valuing entrepreneurship, family and gender roles – our perspectives and priorities are as diverse as our communities.' Asked how he would answer criticism that Reform has a track record of statements and positions that are harmful to Britons from ethnic minorities, Watson added: 'I'd acknowledge their concerns and emphasise that Reform is committed to evolving and listening. |It's important to highlight that the party's focus is on creating policies that benefit all Britons, regardless of background. Actions speak louder than words.'
Yahoo
11-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Beloved Jamaican Restaurant in Bakersfield, CA, Calls On Community For Help
Barrington's Jamaican Kitchen, a popular Jamaican restaurant in Bakersfield, California, was forced to close its doors due to financial difficulties. The owner is asking for assistance from the community to reopen this cherished local eatery. Barrington Lewis opened the Jamaican restaurant in 2017. Known for its authentic cuisine and welcoming atmosphere, the restaurant quickly gained popularity among locals. Lewis mentioned that he began facing financial challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic, which brought capacity constraints and rising inflation. The Jamaica-born native noted that his restaurant did not receive the financial assistance related to COVID that other businesses received during that time. 'I fell short of getting the financial support that the nation was getting, and I didn't get it because they exhausted the money that they had allotted for small businesses like mine. I was kind of counting on that,' Lewis told the Jamaica Observer. Despite a significant rise in supply and operating costs, with some expenses even doubling, Lewis said his priority was to provide affordable food for his customers. Therefore, he was reluctant to raise his prices. The financial strain led him to fall behind on his rent. Although he attempted to establish a repayment plan, his landlord terminated his lease, forcing him to relocate. He acquired a new building about five minutes from his old location. Lewis planned to reopen there on April 1 but could not due to financial constraints. The business owner says he is facing difficulties obtaining the financial resources required to purchase restaurant equipment, supplies, and a rental deposit. He has launched a GoFundMe to help raise $20,000 to help cover the costs. The business owner, who provided free food to unhoused people, hopes to reconnect with his customers with whom he has built solid relationships over the years. Lewis has yet to announce a date for the restaurant's reopening. RELATED CONTENT:
The Independent
10-04-2025
- The Independent
The volcanic holiday island you should visit before it gets too popular
Ralph Gonsalves, the Prime Minister of St Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG), was seen traversing Argyle International Airport, greeting onlookers with a simple: "Hi, I'm Ralph". Despite holding office for 24 years, Gonsalves requires little introduction in his homeland, as passengers gathered around him, some seeking selfies. Located south of St Lucia, west of Barbados, and north of Grenada, St Vincent is the largest of SVG's 32 islands. Tourism in this volcanic former British colony erupted last year, increasing by 25% to 101,471 overnight visitors – a figure similar to the country's modest population. Mr Gonsalves was instrumental in the creation of the nation's first international airport – where our chance encounter takes place – and quips 'love is in the air' as he recalls its inaugural flight on Valentine's Day 2017. The 78-year-old also cut the ribbon last March at the official opening of Sandals, a luxury all-inclusive resort directly responsible for the recent influx of travellers, which is accessible via direct flights of approximately 11 hours from London Heathrow. A general view of Sandals St Vincent I check in to the sprawling five-star retreat – the first such property on St Vincent and the newest of the chain's 17 adults-only hotels spread across eight Caribbean islands – the day after its first anniversary. Cradled by lush mountains, there are 301 rooms and suites, including 10 lavish two-storey overwater villas, four swimming pools and a spa set amid a 50-acre site looking out over Buccament Bay. So, why should sunseekers venture to this lesser-known corner of the Caribbean Sea? 'Let me put it into perspective for you,' says Jamaica-born Tamon Allen, the hotel's amiable general manager, as we sit down for dinner at Sora, one of 12 on-site restaurants. Guests receive a warm welcome from staff at Sandals in St Vincent 'St Vincent would be Jamaica back in the 70s, so 50 years behind; Barbados, it would be maybe 30 years behind; St Lucia, about 20 years behind. They have not modernised St Vincent and I think that's what makes it so special. 'If you go to the Windward side of the island and drive all the way to La Soufriere mountain, it is just breathtaking: the nature, the pureness, and the simple lifestyle that the locals live – absolutely amazing.' My home for three nights is a spacious garden suite complete with patio soaking tub. It comes with 24-hour room service and a personal butler, who is on call from 8am to 10pm and can arrange breakfast in bed, dinner reservations and, if necessary, unpack my suitcase. The beach at Sandals St Vincent I tweak Tamon's suggested itinerary and opt to explore the Leeward coast on the island's west side. With local expert Quency Lewis at the wheel, we wind through verdant hills and coastal valleys flanked by quiet fishing villages and secluded coves of volcanic black sand. 'This is basically how St Vincent is, like a rollercoaster,' says the charismatic tour guide with bleached blond hair and diamond earrings as we snake north from the capital city Kingstown. I discover the archipelago's principal landmass, which is just 18 miles long and has a maximum width of 11 miles, is fertile ground prime for fruit production and home to waterfalls, rainforest and walking trails. (Ed Elliot/PA) La Soufriere looms large in the north and is popular a spot for hikers. The 4,048ft volcano last erupted in 2021, covering the island in ash and forcing nearby residents to evacuate homes. It was previously active in 1979 – the year SVG, which remains in the Commonwealth and retains King Charles III as head of state, gained full independence, having been under British rule since 1763. I glimpse the volcano during a sunset cruise from Sandals (an exclusive treat for butler-level guests). Clouds linger over the peak as daylight gradually fades. The brooding weather is in stark contrast to the mood on board where crew members Uriah, Tyla and Don dance to blaring soca (soul of calypso) music while serving rum punch and bottles of Hairoun, St Vincent's award-winning lager. Wallilabou Bay in St Vincent A pod of bottlenose dolphins dive and weave at the bow of the boat before we approach Wallilabou Bay. The harbour introduced the world to Johnny Depp's Captain Jack Sparrow and will be familiar to many as the fictional Port Royal from the Pirates of the Caribbean films. Just around the jagged coastline, the captain points out 'Old Man's Trousers', a distinctive, arch-shaped rock formation where three prop skeletons were hanged as a warning to Sparrow and other marauding buccaneers. Sandals, which was largely unscathed when Hurricane Beryl devastated parts of the region last July, offers numerous opportunities for seafaring. Sandals St Vincent features four swimming pools A wobbly paddleboard outing from the resort's palm-tree lined beach (constructed with imported white sand) provides a gentle introduction before I increase the adrenaline by skimming across the surface on a tubing ring attached to a speedboat. Scuba diving (for PADI-certified guests), kayaking and snorkelling are also complimentary, while beach volleyball, croquet and tennis are among the activities for those who prefer to remain on dry land. Visitors eager to island hop have plenty of options from St Vincent. The pristine beaches of Bequia (pronounced beck-way ) – the closest Grenadian island – are around 10 miles south of Kingstown and just an hour away using daily ferries, while a handful of neighbouring countries can be reached in tantalisingly short flight times. PA reporter Ed Elliot in St Vincent My Caribbean odyssey begins at the very southern tip of the Windward Islands, in Grenada. The 'Spice Isle', renowned for its production of nutmeg, mace, cinnamon and more, is an ideal partner to St Vincent for those in search of a twin-centre trip. While there is more of a do-it-yourself feel in up-and-coming SVG, Grenada – accessible by air in just 45 minutes – has greater tourist infrastructure, although it is still refreshingly uncrowded. After getting my bearings by taking in the sweeping views from Fort Frederick (built between 1779 and 1783), I travel down into the pretty capital St George's before heading north into the hills. Sandals St Vincent opened in March 2024 (Sandals/PA) Near the shores of Grand Etang, a crater lake which features on the country's coat of arms, I catch sight of a mona monkey. The primates arrived here aboard 18th-century slave ships and are otherwise found exclusively in west Africa. Later, I cool off beneath the 30ft Annandale Waterfall before finishing the day at Grand Anse, Grenada's most famous stretch of sand – a short distance from my luxurious lodgings at Sandals on Pink Gin beach. Back on St Vincent, I sip a final pina colada prior to waving goodbye to Sandals by speedboat (another butler-level perk). The journey to the departure gate concludes on a short stretch of 'rollercoaster' ocean road ahead of my impromptu audience with the PM. Ralph Gonsalves, the long-serving Prime Minister of St Vincent and the Grenadines, and his wife Eloise Gonsalves meet the King at Balmoral in 2022 'There's a Sandals effect undoubtedly,' Mr Gonsalves tells me as talk turns to tourism before we board the same flight to the UK. 'It has been phenomenal – an amazing, amazing impact.' Unassuming, uncluttered and largely untouched, flourishing St Vincent blends natural beauty, adventure and relaxation with undiluted Caribbean charm. How to plan your trip An eight-night twin-centre trip to Sandals Grenada and Sandals St Vincent costs from £3,379 per adult, including flights from Heathrow and inter-island flight. To book, call Unique Caribbean Holidays Ltd on 0800 597 0002. For more information about Sandals, visit
Yahoo
29-03-2025
- Yahoo
Rapper Sean Kingston and his mother found guilty of fraud
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — Rapper Sean Kingston and his mother were found guilty on all counts in their federal wire fraud trial in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, on Friday. Kingston, whose real name is Kisean Anderson, and his mother, Janice Turner, were accused of defrauding a jewelry business, a luxury bed company, a used luxury and exotic car dealership, and a luxury microLED TV company, arrest warrants said. A jury delivered the convictions after 3½ hours of deliberation. Kingston, 34, was ordered to be confined to house arrest with electronic monitoring. He must post a surety bond of a home valued at $500,000 and $200,000 in cash, according to the court. Turner, 61, was remanded into federal custody, where she was ordered to remain until sentencing. Both are scheduled to be sentenced on July 11. As the verdicts were read on Friday, Kingston and his mother dabbed away tears. Kingston was arrested in Fort Irwin, California, in May on a warrant issued by the Broward County Sheriff's Office in Florida after a SWAT team raided his home in Southwest Ranches, a community in Broward. A federal grand jury indicted the pair in July 2024. The indictment accused Kingston of using his celebrity influence and social media accounts to convince sellers of luxury goods to deliver items before payment. His mother, the indictment said, often followed up to ensure delivery dates and other details. Payment was then made via fraudulent and worthless wire transfers, the criminal complaint said, while the items were retained by Kingston. The scheme went on for a few years until March 2024, the indictment said. The pair pleaded not guilty to all counts. Turner's defense attorney, Humberto Dominguez, said during closing arguments Friday that she was trying to protect her son from people after his money, and she had suspicions about a TV installer, two jewelers and car dealership mentioned in court. 'This case is about a woman's intuition,' Dominguez said. After telling Judge David S. Leibowitz he wanted to 'speak his truth' earlier in the proceedings, Kingston changed course, ultimately deciding not to testify. Kingston was allowed to post bond and remain out of jail until his sentencing partly because he made the decision to remain silent, the federal judge said in court. Leibowitz said Turner's testimony, which he said amounted to obstruction, was a factor in his decision to remand her into federal custody. He said her testimony 'makes it impossible to believe she wouldn't do anything for her son.' Kingston and Turner hugged as she was taken into federal custody. As he left the courtroom, Kingston thanked the judge for his fairness. The Jamaica-born artist did not speak to media as he left court in a Lamborghini Urus SUV. He was 17 when his hit 'Beautiful Girls' was released in 2007. It quickly topped Billboard's Top 100 and stayed there for four weeks. The single showcased Kingston's hybrid, singsong rapping, part of a Jamaican tradition that underlies the origins of hip-hop, over the musical track of 'Stand by Me' by Ben E. King. Its video surpassed 1 billion views on YouTube in 2022, according to Billboard. Charlie Gile reported from Fort Lauderdale and Dennis Romero from San Diego. This article was originally published on
