The Countdown Begins: Caribbean Athletes Return To Penn Relays 2025

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News Americas, New York, NY, April 22, 2025: The countdown is officially on for one of the most anticipated track and field events in the United States — the 2025 Penn Relays — and this year, the Caribbean is showing up in full force.

Team Jamaica Bickle’s founder, Irwine Clare, Sr., OD and athletes and volunteers in the Palestra at the University of the Pennsylvania for Penn Relays 2023 and the Labor of Love TJB 2023 presentation. (TJB image)

From April 24-26, student athletes from Jamaica, The Bahamas, Trinidad and Tobago, Belize, and St. Vincent and the Grenadines will compete against some of the top high school teams from across the United States in what promises to be a thrilling three days of athletics at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia.

Among the many anticipated events, the High School Boys’ 4×800 and 4×400 meter relays will spotlight powerhouse Jamaican teams like Calabar, Kingston College, Jamaica College, Holmwood Tech, and Petersfield. Not to be outdone, Bahamian schools such as Bishop Eldon, St. Augustine’s, and Queens College will bring their best sprinters to the track, joined by top athletes from Belize’s Stann Creek, St. Vincent’s Thomas Saunders, and Grenada Boys’.

In the field events, Jamaican standouts like Joseph Salmon, Rajay Hemmings, and Shamir Kelly will battle for podium finishes in the discus, shot put, long jump, and high jump championships, alongside other Caribbean talents like The Bahamas’ Ethan North and Trinidad’s Tyrique Vincent.

TEAM JAMAICA BICKLE

Supporting these young talents once again is the tireless work of Team Jamaica Bickle (TJB) — the Jamaica, Queens-based nonprofit known for providing meals, medical support, and housing for Caribbean athletes at the Relays for over two decades. CEO Irwine Clare and his dedicated team are already on the ground at the event, offering crucial support to the young competitors.

Just days ahead of the carnival, TJB marked a milestone in its fundraising journey with a successful “Labor of Love Luncheon – Black Tie & Sneakers Gala” at the Cresthollow Country Club in Long Island on April 13th. The event was highlighted by a surprise US$15,000 pledge from keynote speaker Sandra Brunson — mother of NBA star Jalen Brunson and co-founder of the Second Round Foundation.

“Being the daughter of Jamaican parents is one of the greatest sources of pride in my life,” Brunson said. “They carried the spirit of Jamaica with them — its music, food, language, and culture — and poured it into my childhood home.”

Brunson emphasized the importance of organizations like TJB in nurturing young athletes, stating: “Meals, lodging, medical support — these are the quiet, powerful moments that allow talent to thrive.”

The gala also celebrated several notable individuals including four-time Olympian Dr. Nelson Christian Stokes, Karlene Largie of the Union of Jamaican Alumni Associations (USA), and Brunson herself.

Clare took the opportunity to thank longstanding partners like VP Records, Caribbean Food Delights, and Irie Jam Radio for their continued support, as well as artists such as Cocoa Tea, Johnny Osbourne, and Aza Lineage for their cultural contributions to TJB’s mission.

As the 2024 Penn Relays approach, Caribbean pride is running high — on the track, in the field, and in the hearts of those cheering these young athletes on. For tickets and more details, visit: The Penn Relays Ticket Portal.

Let the races begin!

Track Events for Thursday, April 23, 2025

High School Boys’ 4×800 Heats

Competing for a chance at the finals:

Calabar (JAM)
Alejandro Palmer, Kevaughn Richards, Justin Webb, Dujhaunti Lewis

Holmwood Technical (JAM)
Lerone Stewart, Antuwan Newland, Romario Lewis, Ricardo Griffiths

Kingston College (JAM)
Nahashon Ruto, Brian Kiprop, Christopher Anderson, Kamoi Tracey

Jamaica College (JAM)
Samuel Creary, Rasheed Pryce, Tyrone Lawson, Shemar Green

High School Boys’ 4×400 Heats

Bishop Eldon (BAH)
Alexander Coleby, Dishon Dean, Arcady Thompson, Takeo Stubbs

St. Augustine’s (BAH)
Jahcario Wilson, Shevano Nixon, Jireh Woodside, Dylan Simon

Queens College (BAH)
Zion Miller, Zion Davis, Leviticus Levarity, Andrew Brown

Temple Christian School (BAH)
Jason Ferguson, Ross Martin, Breck Kemp, Tieano Ferguson

Jack Hayward (BAH)
Shawn McFall, Zion Shepherd, Tyrone Conliffe, Lamorn Moxey

Stann Creek Ecumenical (BELIZE)
Francis Simon Arana, Silas Menelek Leslie, Kamron Alrick Gentle, Kenrick Wayne Avila Jr

Thomas Saunders Secondary (SVG)
Jod Baker, Jayden Wallace, Romarno Hector, Jahron Williams

Grenada Boys’ Secondary (GRD)
Josh Thomas, Jaylon St Louis, Nathan Hillaire, Kashay Stephen

St. Benedict’s College (TRI)
Jaleel Semper, Zaccheus Charles, Kyphm Richards, Jeremiah Joseph

Fatima College (TRI)
Qayshon Roberts, Elijah Gibbs-Clarke, Levi Smith, Tyriq Springer

Petersfield (JAM)
Devano Miller, Shoy Clayton, Alonzo James, Usain Bernard

Vere Technical (JAM)
Joshua Brown, Jhabarie Whyte, Shawn Palmer, Omar James

Denbigh (JAM)
Rayvon Black, Chanton White, Kingsley Hanson, Markland Williams

Jamaica College (JAM)
Omary Robinson, Makaelan Woods, Princewell Martin, DeAndre Gayle

Holmwood Tech (JAM)
Jaydon Collins, Omarie Williamson, Tiandre Downer, Shawn Walter

Cornwall College (JAM)
Zachery Cox, Matthew Webster, Mario Birch, Kemar Mclennon

Excelsior High (JAM)
Daniel Wright, Demarco Bennett, Kishawn Hoffman, Ricardo Carr

Munro College (JAM)
Oneil Brown, Nepaul Frater, Rasheed Buggam, Mickoy Curtis

St. George’s College (JAM)
Nathaneal Abrahams, Fransico Williams, Tajay Taylor, Nathaniel Robinson

Lacovia High (JAM)
Rosean Smith, Nicolas Blair, Nicholas Jones, Arron Senior

Rhodes Hall High (JAM)
Matthew Holmes, Derval Samuels, Dinardo Barnes, Richard Farrier

St. Jago High (JAM)
Tyreek Robinson, Rashad Buckle, Rushaine Richards, Brandon Harris

St. Elizabeth Technical (JAM)
Sawayne Kerr, Enrique Webster, Delano Brown, Joaqueem Miller

Calabar (JAM)
Keano Charles, Junior Gallimore, Micah Willis, Robert Miller

Titchfield High (JAM)
Tijan Blackett, Jamar Davis, Ajarie Bloomfield, Shavan Jarrett

Foga Road High (JAM)
Paul Henry, Denzel Carter, Javoy Green, Taijon Ricketts

Kingston College (JAM)
Tajh Marques White, Jabulani Mcleod, Marcinho Rose, Roshawn Lee

Maggotty High (JAM)
Zachary Wallace, Domonique Anderson, Gage Buggam, Yoshane Bowen

Alphansus Davis High (JAM)
Jerise Books, Jephton Campbell, Raheem Palmer, Tyrie Hopkins

Mona High (JAM)
Kimani Grant, Kevin Bliss, Daniel Peart, Antwon Smith

Muschett High (JAM)
Shavoy Thompson, Osmond Holt, Johan-Romaldo Smythe, Kevin Eccleston

St. Catherine High (JAM)
Paul Bent, Balfour Thomas, Shan-o Francis, Javaine Coore

Bridgeport High (JAM)
Jordan Johnson, Amani Williams, Joel Lunan, Xavier Bailey

William Knibb High (JAM)
Sebastine Ellis, Dejuan Green, Khimani Gordon, Rae’Jhaun Riley

Field Events for April 23, 2025

Discus Throw Championship

Joseph Salmon – Jamaica College (JAM)

Rajay Hemmings – St. Catherine (JAM)

Delon Smith – Calabar (JAM)

Daijon Budhai – Kingston College (JAM)

Rajeem Streete – Munro College (JAM)

Dylan Logan – Kingston College (JAM)

Shot Put Championship

Despiro Wray – Kingston College (JAM)

Devonte Edwards – Munro College (JAM)

Marlando Farquason – Cornwall College (JAM)

Javonte Smith – Munro College (JAM)

Triple Jump Championship

Michael-Andre Edwards – Jamaica College (JAM)

Nicardo Grey Clarke – Wolmer’s Boys (JAM)

Carlin Archer – St. Augustine’s (BAH)

Demian Brice – St. Augustine’s (BAH)

Javelin Throw Championship

Tarique Daley – Calabar (JAM)

Addison James – Edwin Allen (JAM)

Jayvoni Neckles – Jamaica College (JAM)

Ojay Ellis – Munro College (JAM)

Alexander Betancourt – Kingston College (JAM)

Ethan North – Queens College (BAH)

Long Jump Championship

Shamir Kelly – Kingston College (JAM)

Romaine Lewis – Calabar (JAM)

Rikoy Hunter – St. Elizabeth Tech (JAM)

Kenomar Jones – Cornwall College (JAM)

Tonies King – St. Mary High (JAM)

Edward Sterling – Wolmer’s Boys (JAM)

Tyrique Vincent – Fatima College (TRI)

Davon Davis – Queens College (BAH)

High Jump Championship

Chavez Penn – Jamaica College (JAM)

Aaron McKenzie – Kingston College (JAM)

Santino Distin – Herbert Morrison (JAM)

Tejahni Haynes – Kingston College (JAM)

Caribbean Scores Big! U.S. Drops $1M Port Fees After Bold Push by Private Sector & CARICOM Leaders

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News Americas, New York, NY, April 22, 2025: The Caribbean’s private sector is celebrating a massive trade victory after the United States Trade Representative (USTR) officially exempted Caribbean shipping from crushing port fees originally proposed on China-built vessels — a move that could have cost regional economies millions and triggered widespread shipping chaos.

Under the initial plan, ships constructed in China docking at U.S. ports would have been slapped with fees exceeding US$1 million per call. But thanks to powerful advocacy from the CARICOM Private Sector Organisation, (CPSO) and regional governments, Caribbean short-sea shipping is now off the hook.

“This tremendously beneficial outcome is the product of leadership and collaboration,” said CPSO Chairman Gervase Warner, giving credit to Caricom Heads of Government, particularly Barbados’ Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley, for her diplomatic and strategic engagement — including direct conversations with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and written appeals to President Donald Trump.

Here’s What the Caribbean Won:

Short-Sea Shipping Exemption: All vessels operating within 2,000 nautical miles between the Caribbean and U.S. are now excluded from the fees.

Size-Based Exemption: Ships under 55,000 deadweight tons and 4,000 TEUs are in the clear.

Specialized Cargo Exemption: Tankers carrying energy and chemical products (up to 80,000 DWT) also avoid penalties.

The CPSO had initially asked for broader exemptions, but most of their requests made it into the final USTR ruling — a major diplomatic and economic win.

Warner emphasized that this decision shields the region from inflation spikes, product shortages, and shipping delays, calling it “a vital protection for Caribbean economies in a fragile global trade environment.”

The move is not just a policy reversal — it’s a testament to what unified Caribbean advocacy can accomplish on the world stage.

Shaggy & Sting Are Back! Their “Til A Mawnin” Remix Is the Summer Anthem We Didn’t Know We Needed

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News Americas, New York, NY, April 22, 2025: Grammy-winning collaborators Shaggy and Sting are bringing the heat just in time for Carnival season with a brand-new remix of their reggae single “Til A Mawnin,” dropping April 25. The release is the result of a vibrant partnership between Shaggy’s Ranch Entertainment and VP Records, merging two reggae powerhouses to amplify the sound system culture of Jamaica.

Originally released in February and built on a rework of Junjo Lawes’ classic “I’m Not Crazy” riddim, the track debuted at #1 on the iTunes Reggae Songs Chart and quickly made waves across major media platforms, including Rolling Stone, Billboard, Entertainment Tonight, and the Associated Press. The duo lit up stages with performances on Live with Kelly and Mark and The Tonight Show, before delivering a crowd-hyping set at the Reggae Rise Up Festival in Florida.

Now, with the “Til A Mawnin (Remix),” producers Shane Hoosong, H.B. Monte, and Big Dawg infuse the song with a feel-good, uptempo vibe. While the lyrics remain untouched, the new percussion and melodic layers uplift the track into full-blown street party territory — think booming speakers, dancing crowds, and lighters in the air.

Still rooted in the spirit of Jamaican sound system culture, the remix pushes the energy forward. With both artists managed by Martin Kierszenbaum of Cherrytree Music Company, the creative synergy between Shaggy and Sting continues to shine — this time, with a Carnival-ready soundtrack that captures the joy and movement of Caribbean celebration.

Get ready to vibe “til a mawnin” — again. The remix lands April 25 on all major platforms but you can listen to it early, HERE on News Americas.

Caribbean Luxury Just Leveled Up: Waldorf Astoria Is Coming To Turks & Caicos

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News Americas, New York, NY, April 22, 2025: The Caribbean’s luxury hotel scene is about to get even more exclusive. Hilton has announced a major expansion of its iconic Waldorf Astoria brand into the Turks and Caicos Islands, with a lavish new resort and branded residences slated to open on Dellis Cay in 2028.

The Waldorf Astoria Turks and Caicos Dellis Cay will be the brand’s first property in the territory, blending ultra-luxury accommodations with the pristine natural beauty of this low-density private island. Located just a 25-minute boat ride from Providenciales, the resort promises both seclusion and accessibility — ideal for high-end travelers from the U.S. East Coast and beyond.

Once completed, the development will boast 175 guestrooms and residences, including:

42 guestrooms

10 suites with outdoor spaces

10 beachfront bungalows with private terraces and plunge pools

In addition to the resort, the Waldorf Astoria Residences Turks and Caicos Dellis Cay will offer 65 luxury residences, ranging from:

Two-bedroom condos with flexible configurations

Nine six-bedroom ocean villas

Eight five-bedroom beachfront villas

Guests and residents will enjoy three miles of uninterrupted Atlantic beachfront, along with upscale amenities including:

A 13,455-square-foot spa

A 1,600-square-foot fitness center

Multiple dining venues, including the signature Peacock Alley

A beach and pool grill, specialty and all-day restaurants

High-end retail shops, adult and family pools, and elegant event spaces, including a 2,690-square-foot ballroom and 484-square-foot boardroom

This milestone move reaffirms Hilton’s commitment to luxury expansion in the Caribbean, and positions Turks and Caicos as a future hotspot for high-net-worth travelers and investors.

With construction already underway and eyes on a 2028 debut, Waldorf Astoria Turks and Caicos Dellis Cay is poised to become one of the region’s most sought-after destinations for luxury, wellness, and world-class hospitality.

From Boom To Cooldown: IMF Slashes 2025 Caribbean Growth Forecast After Record Year

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News Americas, New York, NY, April 22, 2025: The International Monetary Fund, (IMF) is now forecasting a marked economic slowdown for the Caribbean in 2025, projecting regional growth to decline to 4.2%, down sharply from a remarkable 12.1% surge in 2024.

Tourists board a Tropic Air plane at the Sir Barry Bowen Municipal Airport in Belize City on April 17, 2025. (Photo by JOSE A. SANCHEZ/AFP via Getty Images)

This latest outlook, published in the IMF’s April 2025 World Economic Outlook report, attributes the earlier boom to a strong post-pandemic rebound in tourism, which is now beginning to normalize. The revised forecast comes amid broader concerns about slowing global growth tied to rising trade tensions driven by new U.S. tariffs under President Donald Trump.

The IMF’s Chief Economist, Pierre-Olivier Gourinchas, emphasized the impact of these policies, stating that “the global economic system that has operated for the past 80 years is being reset,” citing historically high U.S. tariff rates and a rise in policy uncertainty.

Despite the slowdown, several Caribbean nations are still expected to record solid growth, albeit at more modest levels than in 2024. Guyana remains a standout performer, with a projected 10.3% GDP growth in 2025, though that’s a steep drop from the astonishing 43.6% recorded in 2024.

Caribbean GDP Growth Forecasts for 2025 (Highest to Lowest)

CountryGDP Growth Forecast (%) – 2025Guyana10.315Dominica4.22Dominican Republic4.021Grenada3.892Suriname3.202Belize3.218Barbados3.000Antigua and Barbuda3.048St. Lucia3.035St. Vincent and the Grenadines4.7Guatemala4.1Aruba2.2Jamaica2.1St. Kitts and Nevis1.964Trinidad and Tobago2.367The Bahamas1.8Haiti-1.0

Tourism, remittances, and economic ties with the U.S. continue to support the region, though the general slowdown in global trade is dampening momentum.

In contrast, Haiti remains in economic distress, with the IMF forecasting a continued contraction of -1% in 2025, though this marks an improvement from -4.2% in 2024.

Meanwhile, Latin America’s overall growth is also projected to slow to 2.0% in 2025 from a previously estimated 2.5%, with Mexico seeing a negative forecast of -0.26% next year.

The Caribbean, while still projected to grow, must now navigate a more uncertain global environment shaped by geopolitical tensions and shifting trade dynamics.