New Music Friday: Lila Iké & Protoje Drop ‘All Over the World’ Plus Mojo Morgan And More Deliver Fresh Tracks

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By News Americas Staff Writer

NEW YORK, NY, Fri. August 8, 2025: It’s a powerhouse New Music Friday week for Caribbean music fans as some of the region’s most celebrated artists drop brand-new singles and projects – just in time to heat up your playlists.

Lila Iké & Protoje – ‘All Over the World’ (Out Now)

Jamaica’s soulful songbird Lila Iké has teamed up once again with reggae giant Protoje for their latest single, “All Over the World” — a dancehall-infused track radiating chemistry and island cool.

The release marks the fifth and final single from Lila’s highly anticipated album Treasure Self Love, set to arrive August 22 via Ineffable Records, Protoje’s In.Digg.Nation Collective, and Lila’s own Wurl Iké Records.

The MOBO-nominated artist has been making waves internationally with performances on NPR Tiny Desk and The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, tours across Japan and Europe, and a recent feature on the cover of Riddim Mag. With global media praise from BBC, Rolling Stone, SPIN, Vogue, and The New York Times, “All Over the World” cements her as one of reggae’s most exciting voices.

Catch it HERE

Mojo Morgan – ‘Dreams’ + EP ‘Jamaica Love’ Coming Aug. 29

Mojo Morgan, GRAMMY winner and founding member of Morgan Heritage, drops his inspirational new single “Dreams”, produced by dancehall hitmaker Droptop. The track blends reggae, rock, and motivational fire, dedicated to “every hustler, survivor, and dreamer who refuses to settle.”

The single paves the way for Mojo’s long-awaited EP Jamaica Love on August 29, featuring collaborations with Gramps Morgan, Popcaan, Sizzla, Maino, Chronic Law, and members of the Morgan family. Mojo calls the project “legacy, healing, and a soundtrack for anyone who’s had to fight for their dream.”

Listen: Mojo Morgan – Dreams

Mr Easy – ‘Rich With Me’ & Soca Vibes

Veteran reggae crooner Mr Easy is turning up the summer heat with “Rich With Me” on Khago’s 2 Time Riddim — a feel-good anthem of unity and island romance that’s catching fire on global party playlists.

He also lit up the stage at “Rhythms of Rita”, a tribute concert for Dr. Rita Marley’s 79th birthday, streamed worldwide via Tuff Gong TV.

On the soca side, Mr Easy’s “Caribbean Ting” (from the Soca Jam EP) bursts with carnival energy, proving his versatility across genres.

Listen: Rich With Me | Caribbean Ting

Intence – Sólo Chicas EP Drops Aug. 8

Dancehall’s young firebrand Intence delivers his latest project Sólo Chicas, a six-track EP dedicated to the ladies, produced entirely by Nuh Brakes Recordz (his father).

From the raw energy of “B.P.P.E.” to the emotional pull of “Missing You”, the EP mixes party starters with heartfelt cuts. Videos for “B.P.P.E.,” “Don’t It,” and “Missing You” drop alongside the release. Listen to Ooh Yea.

Krueshef – ‘WHY’ Pre-Save Now

Emerging artist Krueshef, alongside Island Rock and KMGM Records, teases his uplifting new single “WHY” — a positive, spiritually grounded track that blends reggae energy with inspirational messages. Fans can pre-save now and directly support the artist’s mission to bring more live shows worldwide.

Listen To WHY

Stream these tracks now on all major platforms and let us know which one will be your summer anthem.

These Caribbean Nations Are Set To Lead Regional Growth In 2025

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By NAN Business Editor

News Americas, NEW YORK, NY, Thurs. Aug. 7, 2025: Despite a sluggish global outlook, several Caribbean economies are forecast to outperform their regional peers in 2025, according to new data from the United Nations Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC).

Guyana continues to dominate regional growth projections, with GDP expected to surge by 10.3% in 2025.

ECLAC’s Economic Survey of Latin America and the Caribbean 2025, released Tuesday, projects a modest 2.2% average GDP growth rate for the Latin America and Caribbean region next year. However, a few Caribbean nations are defying the trend, with Guyana, Dominican Republic, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines emerging as bright spots amid concerns over slowing tourism demand and global economic headwinds.

Guyana Leads With Double-Digit Growth

Guyana continues to dominate regional growth projections, with GDP expected to surge by 10.3% in 2025, powered by robust investments in the country’s booming hydrocarbons sector. Following a staggering 43.6% expansion in 2024, Guyana’s momentum positions it as the fastest-growing economy in the hemisphere.

Dominican Republic and Saint Vincent Also Outperform

Following Guyana, the Dominican Republic is expected to post a 3.7% growth rate in 2025, driven by strong domestic demand, tourism resilience, and structural reforms.

Meanwhile, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines is forecast to grow by 4.0%, placing it among the top five Caribbean performers. The island has benefitted from stable tourism recovery and targeted public investment.

Other Notable Performers

Antigua and Barbuda: 3.5%

Grenada: 3.5%

Suriname: 3.2%

Dominica: 2.5%

Saint Lucia: 2.5%

Barbados: 2.6%

These growth forecasts contrast sharply with larger regional economies like Jamaica (1.3%), Bahamas (1.8%), and Trinidad and Tobago (1.5%), which are projected to remain flat amid global uncertainty.

Tourism and Energy Costs Remain a Drag

The report warns that the overall Caribbean region, excluding Guyana, is expected to grow just 1.8% in 2025, a slowdown from 2.6% in 2024. This is largely due to lower GDP growth in the U.S. – the region’s largest tourism source market – along with persistent challenges like high energy and transport costs, and vulnerability to climate-related disasters.

The Outlier: Haiti and Cuba Face Contraction

Haiti and Cuba remain economic laggards. ECLAC projects Haiti’s GDP will shrink by -2.3% in 2025, following a -4.2% contraction in 2024, citing ongoing political instability and humanitarian crises. Cuba is also expected to contract by –1.5%, reflecting the island’s continued struggle with external financing, sanctions, and weak domestic output.

Looking Ahead

Despite the subdued regional outlook, ECLAC highlights that resource mobilization and policy innovation will be key to unlocking medium-term growth. Caribbean nations that diversify beyond tourism, invest in infrastructure, and harness energy transition opportunities are more likely to weather global volatility.

The report – released at a press conference led by the United Nations regional commission’s Executive Secretary, José Manuel Salazar-Xirinachs – emphasizes that the estimates point to different dynamics among sub-regions and countries.

Barrington Levy’s ‘Sweet Reggae Music 2.0’ Spins Onto Vinyl This Month

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By ET EDITOR

News Americas, NEW YORK, NY, Weds. Aug. 6, 2025: Reggae fans, get ready to drop the needle on something legendary. Barrington Levy’s Sweet Reggae Music 2.0 is finally getting the full vinyl treatment, with a release date set for August 22. The project is now available for pre-order, with advance downloads of select tracks also up for grabs.

Cut loud and proud on 100% black vinyl, this curated collection blends much sought-after sound system anthems with some of Levy’s most beloved dancehall hits—including “Teach the Youth,” “Mini Bus,” and “Mary Long Tongue.” For crate diggers and longtime fans alike, Sweet Reggae Music 2.0 marks the only LP appearance of cult favorites like “Whom Shall I Be Afraid Of,” “Praise His Name,” and “Pon Your Toe.”

This is not just a reissue – it’s a celebration of a golden age in Jamaican music where Barrington Levy reigned as the undisputed lord of the dancehall. His voice, unmistakable in tone and power, helped shape the sonic identity of 1980s and ‘90s reggae and dancehall culture. These songs are the backbone of that legacy.

About the Artist
Barrington Ainsworth Levy is a Jamaican reggae and dancehall icon known for his distinctive vocals and commanding stage presence. Born in Clarendon, Jamaica in 1964, Levy began his musical journey in the late 1970s as one half of the Mighty Multitude – a short-lived duo he formed with his cousin. But it was his solo breakout at just 14 years old with the single “A Long Time Since We Don’t Have No Love” that marked the start of a career destined for greatness.

Over the decades, Levy’s catalog has become essential listening for fans of conscious reggae and raw dancehall alike. Tracks like “Under Mi Sensi,” “Here I Come,” and “Murderer” are timeless staples in DJ sets around the world. Sweet Reggae Music 2.0 continues this legacy, bringing deep cuts and global anthems together for a new generation of vinyl lovers.

Whether you’re a longtime soundman or a new listener discovering Barrington Levy’s magic, this release is one to own.

LISTEN HERE EXCLUSIVELY

U.S. Salutes Jamaica On Independence Day

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By News Americas Staff Writer

News Americas, WASHINGTON, D.C., Aug. 6, 2025: The United States has extended warm congratulations to the people of Jamaica on its, independence day, as the island nation marks its 63rd year of independence, highlighting the enduring bond between the two countries.

FLASHBACK – Mayor Eric Adams, r., and Consul General Alsion Wilson lead a flag-raising ceremony in honor of Jamaica’s independence at Bowling Green, NYC. (Arthur Piccolo image)

In an official statement released today, the US State Department praised Jamaica’s progress and reaffirmed the close relationship shared by the two nations, especially in the areas of security cooperation and economic development.

“On behalf of the United States, I extend my warm congratulations to the people of Jamaica as they celebrate 63 years of independence,” the message reads.

The U.S. emphasized that the partnership with Jamaica is rooted in mutual efforts to disrupt criminal networks, promote investment, and advance regional stability. It also applauded Jamaica’s continued work to reduce violent crime and stimulate private-sector growth.

“These efforts benefit both Americans and Jamaicans and reinforce our shared commitment to prosperity and national sovereignty,” the statement added.

As Jamaica celebrates its Independence Day, the U.S. expressed hope for deepened collaboration in the years ahead, reaffirming its support for the Caribbean ally.

“We look forward to further strengthening our partnership and wish the people of Jamaica a joyful Independence Day,” the statement concluded.

Jamaica gained independence from British rule on August 6, 1962, and continues to be a key strategic partner of the United States in the Caribbean region.

Caribbean Carnival 2025 Takes Over Toronto In A Dazzling Display Of Mas and Music

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News Americas, Toronto, ON, Tues. Aug. 5, 2025: Lakeshore Boulevard exploded with color, rhythm, and Caribbean pride on Saturday, August 2nd, 2025, as thousands of revelers danced through the streets in the Grande Parade of the Toronto Caribbean Carnival 2025.

Formerly known as Caribana, the festival – founded in 1967 – has grown into one of North America’s largest cultural celebrations, drawing millions of spectators and participants from Canada, the Caribbean, and beyond.

This year’s masqueraders, or “mas players,” were decked out in elaborate feathered costumes in every hue of the rainbow, adorned with glittering jewels and cultural symbolism. Many participants traveled from across the U.S. and Caribbean to take part in the high-energy celebration of freedom, culture, and emancipation.

Saturday’s parade marked the highlight of the weeks-long festival, but the celebrations aren’t over yet. On Sunday, Carnival continues with Pan in D’Park, a lively steelpan music showcase at Neilson Park in Scarborough, hosted by the Ontario Steelpan Association.

The festivities also included a Junior Carnival earlier this month, spotlighting young masqueraders and ensuring the next generation keeps the vibrant traditions alive.

Whether you’re reliving the moment or catching up, explore some of the show-stopping costumes and street scenes from Canada’s Caribbean Carnival 2025.

Packed party from one of the over pass bridges to Ontario Place brought a fresh angle to this years Grand Parade! (Photo by R.J. Johnston/Toronto Star via Getty Images)

Deevanie Jetton in full party mode. Since 1967, North America’s biggest Caribbean Carnival happens in Toronto every year. Masqueraders and steelpan performers. Toronto Caribbean Carnival brings thousands in costume will be parading from Exhibition Place around Lake Shore. (Photo by R.J. Johnston/Toronto Star via Getty Images)

Paulette Macream stands on one leg and uses the other to keep passers by from walking into her shot of friends. Since 1967, North America’s biggest Caribbean Carnival happens in Toronto every year. Masqueraders and steelpan performers. Toronto Caribbean Carnival brings thousands in costume will be parading from Exhibition Place around Lake Shore. (Photo by R.J. Johnston/Toronto Star via Getty Images)

A dressed-up girl poses for photos with her float during the Grand Parade of the 2025 Toronto Caribbean Carnival in Toronto, Canada, on Aug. 2, 2025. This annual event was held here on Saturday to showcase Caribbean culture with thousands of masqueraders in costumes. (Photo by Zou Zheng/Xinhua via Getty Images)

Members of Carnival Nationz ‘A Jungle Story’ on the judging stage. Since 1967, North America’s biggest Caribbean Carnival happens in Toronto every year. Masqueraders and steelpan performers. Toronto Caribbean Carnival brings thousands in costume will be parading from Exhibition Place around Lake Shore. (Photo by R.J. Johnston/Toronto Star via Getty Images)

Jaida Ponciano (16) from Tribal Carnival. Since 1967, North America’s biggest Caribbean Carnival happens in Toronto every year. Masqueraders and steelpan performers. Toronto Caribbean Carnival brings thousands in costume will be parading from Exhibition Place around Lake Shore. (Photo by R.J. Johnston/Toronto Star via Getty Images)

A dressed-up reveler performs with her float during the Grand Parade of the 2025 Toronto Caribbean Carnival in Toronto, Canada, on Aug. 2, 2025. This annual event was held here on Saturday to showcase Caribbean culture with thousands of masqueraders in costumes. (Photo by Zou Zheng/Xinhua via Getty Images)

Aisha Maina Secures USD 40 Million St Kitts Port Deal And Takes Trade Roadshow From Grenada To Jamaica And Trinidad

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News Americas, ST. GEORGE’S, Grenada, Mon. Aug. 4, 2025: Aisha Maina, Managing Director of Aquarian Consult and founder of Gemini Integrated Commodities, has completed an intensive week of engagements, capped by a USD 40 million deal to build a Panamax deep-water port and special economic zone in Basseterre, St. Kitts, that unite policy, private capital and hard infrastructure around a single objective: forging a reliable commercial bridge between Africa and the Caribbean.

At the signing of the USD$ 40m Port deal for St Kitts & Nevis: L-R (Middle): 1. Hon. Dr. Terrance Drew, PM, St. Kitts & Nevis, Hon Minister Samal Duggins, Minister of Agriculture et. Al, St. Kitts and Nevis, Miss Aisha Maina, Managing Director, Aquarian Consult, Mr. Eric Intong, Acting Group Managing Director, Client Relations, Afreximbank and Prof. Benedict Oramah, President, Afreximbank.

The new port will anchor a 10 square kilometre special economic zone designed for agro-processing, light assembly and bonded warehousing. Feasibility studies begin in August, and financial close is targeted for Q1 2026. The facility is expected to create thousands of jobs and attract an additional USD 300 million in private investment. For Saint Kitts & Nevis, a nation of fewer than 60,000 people, the project positions the federation as a logistics hinge between 19 African and 12 Caribbean Commonwealth members. For exporters in West Africa, it removes a costly European detour and delivers end-to-end digital customs visibility.

One Week, Three Strategic Touchpoints

1. Port Signing In Grenada – July 28th
 At the Afreximbank Afri-Caribbean Trade and Investment Forum in Grenada, Maina co-signed a USD 40 million Letter of Interest with Afreximbank and the Government of St Kitts & Nevis. Prime Minister Dr Terrance Drew witnessed the signing, while Honourable Samal Duggins, Minister of Agriculture and Marine Resources, signed for the island nation. The agreement finances a Panamax-capable deep-water port in Basseterre and a ten-square-kilometre special economic zone for agro-processing and light assembly.

“Africa and the Caribbean need assets, not just aspirations. With this port we move from promise to throughput, from talk to tonnage. It is the physical backbone of a trade bridge that has been too long in the making,” Maina said on stage.

Duggins added: “Fresh off the Afri-Caribbean Exchange, I proudly signed a landmark Letter of Interest with Afreximbank. Facility after facility, deal after deal, we are not just talking transformation; we are delivering it. The vision is clear, the progress is real, and the future is now.”

2. Caribbean Investment Forum In Jamaica – July 30th
 From Montego Bay’s main stage, Maina confirmed that feasibility and environmental studies for the Basseterre port will begin in August. She outlined a corridor that cuts Lagos-to-Basseterre sailing times to about seven days, eliminating costly European detours.

“If private sector does not take charge of the process, we will remain where we have been. Retreat or defeat are not options,” she told delegates.

3. Trans-Atlantic Symposium In Trinidad – August 3rd
 Maina closed the week in Port of Spain, delivering the keynote “Why Caribbean and Africa Trade and Investment and Economic Cooperation Matter” at the Trans-Atlantic Trade and Investment Symposium organised by the Emancipation Support Committee of Trinidad and Tobago. She connected port logistics, economic-zone clustering and new financing tools to broader goals of youth employment, food security and diversified exports.

Project Snapshot

MetricDetailInitial financeUSD 40 millionBerth capacityOne Panamax berth, expandable to twoConstruction jobs600 direct positionsFollow-on capitalUSD 300 million projected private investmentStudies launchAugust 2025Financial closeQ1 2026First containerQ4 2028

Regional and Global Implications

Shorter transit times – Direct sailings remove European detours and lower freight costs.

Value-addition hub – The special economic zone lets African raw materials be processed closer to North American markets.

Commonwealth relevance – One of the Commonwealth’s smallest states will host a strategic maritime asset linking 19 African and 12 Caribbean members.

Private-capital leadership – Gemini Integrated Commodities co-invests with Afreximbank, placing execution risk on balance-sheet owners rather than policy desks.

Background

Momentum began in March with the Afri-Caribbean Investment Summit in Abuja, followed by a June charter of an Air Peace 777 carrying 120 Nigerian entrepreneurs and policymakers to Basseterre. The Grenada signing, Montego Bay confirmation and Trinidad keynote now merge those earlier steps into a single infrastructure roadmap.

About Aquarian Consult

Aquarian Consult is a Nigeria-based advisory and investment firm specialising in trade facilitation, human-capital development and infrastructure. Through Gemini Integrated Commodities, the company designs and executes projects that connect African markets to global value chains, with a focus on Africa-Caribbean integration.

When The Village Births Fire

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By Dr. Isaac Newton

News Americas, NEW YORK, NY, Mon. Aug. 4, 2025: There are moments in the life of a nation when it does not simply honor its artists but enshrines them. Antigua and Barbuda has now done exactly that.

In honor of 40 years of renowned Soca band Burning Flames, the Government of Antigua and Barbuda has officially renamed Potters Main Road to The Burning Flames Highway. It is said that all four members of the band will be given a national award along with diplomatic passports.

With the stroke of a Cabinet decision, Potters Main Road has been renamed The Burning Flames Highway. It is no longer just a path of passage; it is now a living monument to a sound that carried a people, a rhythm that redefined identity, and a fire that refused to die.

I was raised in Potters Village, where music was more than background noise. It was our pulse, our poetry, our prayer. The sound of soca and calypso floated across fences, spilled through wooden windows, and made even the stillest moments feel alive. Among us were four local sons whose talent would one day shake the Caribbean and echo across oceans. They were called Burning Flames.

I must confess, with reverent honesty, that my own spiritual convictions have often placed me at odds with certain expressions of Carnival. Some aspects have stirred tensions between sacred values and cultural expression. Yet even within that conflict, I could never ignore the creative brilliance, the sonic mastery, and the deep cultural meaning embedded in the music of Burning Flames.

What they offered was more than entertainment. It was a liberation movement disguised as melody. It was celebration steeped in struggle. It was joy seasoned with survival.

From Workey Workey to Stiley Tight, from Island Girl to Swinging Engine and Janet, their music lit fires in the soul. They transformed porches into dance floors and village squares into arenas of expression. Their sound became the soundtrack of emancipation, where movement and meaning collided in perfect rhythm.

The official recognition they have now received is more than deserved. It is redemptive. Diplomatic passports, national honors, and the naming of a national road are not merely symbolic acts. They are affirmations of cultural dignity. They are acknowledgments that rhythm can be a form of resistance and that melody can memorialize memory.

This is both a triumph for Burning Flames and a victory for the village. It is evidence that greatness can rise from humble soil and that the ordinary can give birth to the extraordinary. It is a reminder that Potters Village did not simply nurture musicians. It raised architects of national joy.

To the sons of sound who carried our hopes in every note and turned rhythm into revolution, I offer not only congratulations but profound gratitude.

Your music made us dance with purpose
Your legacy makes us proud with reason
And your fire still burns across the landscape of our hearts

Long live the music
Long live the memory
Long live the Flames

EDITOR’S NOTE: Dr. Isaac Newton is a global strategist, thought leader, and theologian of transformation. A native of Potters Village, he has studied at Harvard, Princeton, and Columbia University. As a professor, policy analyst, and advisor to leaders across continents, Dr. Newton brings together spiritual wisdom and intellectual brilliance to inspire meaningful change and honor the deep roots of cultural legacy.

Caribbeantales International Film Festival Celebrates 20 Years Of Big Vibes, Big Stories And Brilliant Filmmaking

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NEWS AMERICAS, Toronto, ON, Fri. Aug. 1, 2025: The CaribbeanTales International Film Festival (CTFF), North America’s premier event showcasing Caribbean and diaspora cinema, proudly announces its 20th anniversary edition, taking place Wednesday September 3rd to Saturday September 13th, 2025, in Toronto and online worldwide from September 3rd to October 3rd, 2025.

Under the theme “Resilience in Motion,” this milestone festival will celebrate two decades of transformative storytelling from across the Caribbean region and its global diaspora with 49 incredible films. Programming will include premieres, retrospectives, talkbacks, tributes, and a global virtual component, underscoring CTFF’s enduring commitment to elevating underrepresented voices in film.

Founded in 2006 by Frances-Anne Solomon, an award-winning filmmaker and advocate for diverse cinema, CTFF has grown into an internationally recognized platform for Caribbean filmmakers. Over the past two decades, the festival has screened more than 1000 films, supported hundreds of creators, and played a critical role in shifting how Caribbean narratives are represented on screen.

“This 20th anniversary is both a celebration and a call to action,” says Frances-Anne Solomon, Founder and Executive Director of CaribbeanTales Media Group (CTMG). “We look back on a generation of groundbreaking films and look ahead to a vibrant future where Caribbean stories continue to redefine the global cinematic landscape.”

Festival Highlights Include:

●     20th Anniversary | 49 Films | Canadian premieres | 15+ Countries represented

●     Opening Night Film: Bankie Banx: King of the Dune (Nara Garber, Anguilla/USA, 2024), featuring reggae icon Bankie Banx (aka Anguillan Bob Dylan), singer-songwriter Jimmy Buffet, actor Kevin Bacon, Stephen “Cat” Coore (founding guitarist with Third World)

●     Closing night Film: The Last Meal (Maryse Legagneur, Canada/DR, 2024)

●     September 6th – Honouring Our Legends: Celebrating the 88th Birthday of The Honourable Dr. Jean Augustine at The Harbourfront Centre Theatre, film screenings and the presentation of the Jean Augustine Excellence Award to Steelpan Ambassador Wendy Jones

●     September 7th – Canadian Premiere of Nomad in No Man’s Land (Hester Jonkhout, Netherlands/Curaçao, 2024), a film about pioneering director Felix de Rooy, who is an openly gay celebrated artist in the Caribbean

●     Virtual CTFF from September 3rd – October 3rd, an extensive online platform accessible to global audiences.
Over the years, CTFF has been a launchpad for acclaimed works that have gone on to receive international recognition, while also serving as a cultural bridge between the Caribbean and broader international film communities.

The full festival lineup and ticketing details will be announced on August 3, 2025, via the festival website: www.caribbeantalesfestival.com.

Festival Director Diana Webley is available for Radio, Television and Digital Media outlet interviews.

CTFF Film Trailers Link

About CaribbeanTales International Film Festival:

Built over 20 years, CTMG is the only media group in Canada that provides an ecosystem of screen-based activities that serve Black Canadian, and culturally diverse audiences. CTMG provides a pipeline of activities from creation to distribution that aims to uplift, enrich, promote and monetize Black and culturally diverse film and television content for audiences.

CTMG is home to the CaribbeanTales International Film Festival (CTFF), now in its 20th year. CTFF celebrates the talents of established and emerging filmmakers of Caribbean and African heritage who practice their art across the Caribbean Diaspora worldwide.

For more information, visit https://caribbeantalesfestival.com/ or follow us on

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Fundraising Effort Launched For Children Of Haitian Immigrant Security Guard Killed In NYC Shooting

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By Felicia J. Persaud

News Americas, NEW YORK, York, August 1, 2025: A GoFundMe campaign has raised more than $36,000 toward a $250,000 goal to support the children of Aland Etienne, the beloved Haitian immigrant and security guard who was killed earlier this week in a mass shooting at 345 Park Avenue in Midtown Manhattan.

Aland Etienne, a beloved Caribbean immigrant and security guard who was killed earlier this week in a mass shooting at 345 Park Avenue in Midtown Manhattan.

Etienne, 46, was working in the building’s lobby Monday evening when authorities say he was fatally shot by Shane Devon Tamura, 27, of Las Vegas. Tamura, armed with an M4-style rifle, wounded several others before proceeding to the building’s upper floors. The office tower houses high-profile tenants including the National Football League and investment firm Blackstone.

Etienne is survived by his two children, whose future the GoFundMe seeks to secure. The page, titled ‘Support Aland Etienne kids after the tragedy,’ notes that “all funds raised will go directly toward their education and well-being, ensuring that even in his absence, his love continues to guide and protect them.”

Etienne’s brother, Smith Etienne, remembered him as a devoted father and a “fantastic” older sibling who inspired those around him. “He was my hero,” he said during a press conference at 32BJ SEIU headquarters on Wednesday. “He was light in every room. He made this city a little safer every day.”

Tamura, the alleged gunman, left behind a rambling suicide note blaming chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) for his deteriorating mental state. He claimed he was attempting to target the NFL but took the wrong elevator. Tamura later died by suicide.

The NYPD confirmed Tamura had a history of mental illness and had expressed grievances about his football-related brain injuries. His note reportedly read, “Study my brain please,” and referenced former NFL player Terry Long, who died by suicide in 2005 and was posthumously diagnosed with CTE.

The fatal shooting has reignited discussions around workplace safety, particularly for front-line security personnel. Etienne was a longtime member of 32BJ SEIU, a union that has previously lost members to similar acts of violence. Union president Manny Pastreich called Etienne a “New York hero.”

“Every time a security officer puts on their uniform, they put their lives on the line,” Pastreich said in a statement. “Their contributions are essential, though often unappreciated.”

He recalled the 2015 killing of 32BJ member Idrissa Camara, a federal building security officer fatally shot in a similar attack.

Etienne’s widow, Rachelle Paoli, stood alongside union leaders and elected officials during Wednesday’s remarks. Assemblymember Zohran Mamdani, who is also running for mayor, praised Etienne’s dedication and called for improved protections for building security staff.

The GoFundMe campaign describes Etienne not only as a protector but also as a filmmaker and a proud father who dreamed of a bright future for his children. The fund’s organizers wrote: “We are grieving, we are heartbroken — but we are also hopeful. Hopeful that the same love Aland gave to the world will now be returned to his children.”

As of today, August 1st, over 362 donations have been made.

To contribute to the Etienne Children’s Fund, visit: gofundme.com/f/aland-etienne

Trump’s Tariffs Hits Guyana, Trinidad & Tobago

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BY NAN Business Editor

News Americas, WASHINGTON, D.C., Fri. Aug. 1, 2025: Trump tariffs are back – and this time, two Caribbean nations are feeling the heat.
U.S. President Donald Trump announced new 15% tariffs on goods from Guyana and Trinidad and Tobago as part of his escalating trade offensive targeting dozens of countries. The move has sent shockwaves through the region’s manufacturing and export sectors, particularly among businesses already struggling with supply chain costs and market uncertainty.

In a sweeping move that caught many small economies off-guard, the Trump administration on Thursday re-imposed tariffs on goods from over 70 countries, including Guyana and Trinidad and Tobago, as part of a renewed effort to close America’s trade deficit. Effective immediately, both Caribbean Community (CARICOM) countries will face a 15% reciprocal tariff on their exports to the U.S.

FLASHBACK – U.S. President Donald Trump holds up a chart while speaking during a “Make America Wealthy Again” trade announcement event in the Rose Garden at the White House on April 2, 2025 in Washington, DC. Touting the event as “Liberation Day”, Trump is expected to announce additional tariffs targeting goods imported to the U.S. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

The new tariffs come just weeks after a temporary 90-day reprieve on harsher duties, including a previously proposed 38% rate on Guyana, which had sparked diplomatic backlash. While the rollback to 15% softens the blow, the impact remains severe – particularly for niche exporters in Guyana’s timber and manufacturing sectors and Trinidad’s energy and petrochemical producers.

“This is going to have devastating effects on us,” Howard Bulkan, a Guyanese exporter who sells over 60% of his company’s wallaba roof shingles to U.S. buyers told Demerara Waves. “We’ve been absorbing the 10% tariff since earlier this year. A 15% rate is not sustainable. We’ll now have to consider shifting to European markets.”

A Blow To Value-Added Exports

For Guyana, the tariff hike comes at a precarious time. While the country is experiencing rapid GDP growth driven by offshore oil production, its non-oil sectors have been working to diversify and expand exports of value-added goods like wood products, furniture, and agro-processing.

Industry leaders say the U.S. tariffs threaten to undercut those efforts. “That’s going to hurt,” said Ramsey Ali, President of the Guyana Manufacturing and Services Association (GMSA) told Demerara Waves. “We’ll be meeting to assess the fallout, but this clearly impacts competitiveness.”

The U.S. had long been a zero-duty market for many of these products. With freight costs and logistics already straining Caribbean exporters, the added 15% tariff could result in a compounded cost increase of 20–25%, potentially pricing them out of the market.

In Trinidad and Tobago, where petrochemicals, ammonia, and manufactured goods make up the bulk of exports to the U.S., the new tariff could raise costs across supply chains – affecting trade with U.S.-based industrial and construction sectors.

Political Optics vs. Trade Realities

Trump’s move – just a day before his August 1 deadline for trade deal renegotiations – is being billed by the administration as a “reciprocal tariff adjustment.” But critics say it disproportionately harms smaller economies with limited trade leverage and minimal market intrusion.

“The tariff math makes no sense,” said Bulkan. “We’re being penalized for oil exports, even though our wood products aren’t competing with U.S. goods.”

Guyana Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo confirmed ongoing talks with the U.S. Trade Representative, saying Guyana remains hopeful that the duty could be lowered to 10% through bilateral negotiations.

“We’re happy it’s not 38% anymore,” Jagdeo told Demerara Waves. “But we are still working to bring it down further.”

Risk of Market Realignment

The longer-term risk, analysts say, is that Caribbean exporters may permanently pivot away from U.S. markets – opening the door for China, Europe, or South American buyers to step in.

Several GMSA members are already eyeing European buyers as a fallback. But switching markets isn’t simple – it requires new certifications, trade relationships, and logistics chains that many small and mid-sized exporters are ill-equipped to build quickly.

For now, the region’s manufacturers are scrambling to recalculate costs, renegotiate contracts, and brace for a rocky export season.