One of Jamaica’s most beloved coastal destinations, Hellshire Beach in St Catherine, is set to undergo a landmark restoration effort, as the government advances a comprehensive master plan to reverse decades of climate-driven damage, with a final draft slated for completion by the end of the current fiscal year. The announcement was made by Minister of Water, Environment and Climate Change Matthew Samuda on April 28, during his address to the Sectoral Debate held at Gordon House, Jamaica’s seat of parliament. For over a decade, the iconic beach – which once drew thousands of local and international visitors annually – has been grappling with severe coastal erosion, a crisis amplified by the shifting impacts of a changing global climate. The natural degradation has already forced dozens of the beach’s famous shoreline food vendors out of business, with many of their small wooden shops tumbling into the encroaching sea as the shoreline retreats. These vendors are integral to Hellshire’s cultural identity, best known for serving the island’s iconic fried fish and festival meal that draws foodies from across the country. To reverse this damage and secure the beach’s future, the National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA) is leading the development of a holistic master plan that balances competing priorities: supporting the coastal community’s livelihoods while protecting the fragile local ecosystem. Speaking to parliament, Samuda emphasized that the project is rooted in the principle that Hellshire must serve both people and the planet, rather than prioritizing one over the other. The plan outlines three core pillars of action. First, it calls for a full overhaul of the beach’s outdated sanitation and waste management infrastructure, putting an end to the dangerous practice of direct waste discharge into coastal waters and cutting down on pervasive littering that harms marine life. Second, it will formalize the shoreline vending sector through regulation, establishing clear environmental responsibilities for all operators to ensure commercial activity does not undermine conservation goals. Third, the initiative prioritizes the protection of adjacent mangrove forests and seagrass beds, critical natural habitats that support local fisheries and act as natural barriers to reduce coastal erosion and boost the shoreline’s resilience to storm surges and sea level rise. According to Samuda, the ultimate goal of the multi-year restoration project is to reimagine Hellshire as a global model for sustainable coastal development: a clean, welcoming space that retains its cultural and economic vibrancy while safeguarding the natural environment that sustains it. Preliminary technical and environmental studies are currently in their final stages, and the full detailed master plan will be released for public consultation with Jamaican citizens before the end of the year, kicking off what will be a years-long effort to restore the iconic beach for future generations.
标签： Jamaica
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Legacy Isle returns for Reggae Trophy feature at Caymanas Park
When the starting gates fly open at Caymanas Park tomorrow, the roar of the crowd won’t rise up for a maiden dash or a low-stakes claiming race. All the anticipation, all the buzz, is focused on one thing: the long-awaited comeback of one of Jamaica’s top thoroughbreds.
At 5:00 p.m. local time, six elite sprinters will step into the starting blocks for the $1.75-million Reggae Trophy, a 1,000-meter (five furlong) straight dash that has become the most anticipated race of the current season. But for fans, trainers, and punters alike, every pair of eyes will be locked on a single horse: Legacy Isle.
The two-time runner-up of the prestigious Mouttet Mile has not stepped onto a competitive track since December 27, 2025. On that final raceday of last year, Legacy Isle turned the 1,100-meter Christopher “Chris” Armond Sprint into a dominant solo performance, crossing the finish line 10 lengths clear of the field in a blistering time of 1:04.2 before jockey Raddesh Roman eased him up in the final strides. In the 126 days that have followed, the champion has stayed out of the public eye, with only quiet rumors from the stable and impressive morning workout sessions keeping fans on edge waiting for his return.
Now, trainer Rohan Crichton is ready to send Legacy Isle back into the spotlight, and even the 1,000-meter straight course may not have enough space to contain the seasoned racehorse’s talent. Jockey Raddesh Roman, who will re-team with Legacy Isle for this comeback race, has a clear game plan: break clean out of the gate, settle into second position behind the early speed, and make his move when the moment is right. That confidence is backed up by Legacy Isle’s most recent workout: on April 18, he galloped five furlongs in a sharp 59.0 seconds, with the first four furlongs completed in 46.0 seconds, a strong indicator of his race readiness.
As a top-tier Mouttet Mile contender dropping down to a sprint distance, Legacy Isle has a massive class advantage over the rest of the field — a gap so wide it can only be described as a canyon. But as any racing fan knows, races are not won on paper, and each of his five competitors has their own plans to upset the favorite.
Drawing the inside starting position is Pack Plays, an American-bred horse who is coming back to his favored sprint trip after an unsuccessful experiment at 1,700 meters earlier this month, where he finished 22 lengths behind winner Rideallday. That failed distance test is now off the table, and trainer Ricardo Mathie is returning Pack Plays to what he does best: blazing fast early speed. A time of 1:06.4 for five and a half furlongs posted last August proves he belongs at this distance. Jockey Richie Shakes will send him hard out of the starting gate from the rail, and if he can grab an early lead of a length or two, the entire dynamic of the race will shift.
Stalking both Legacy Isle and Pack Plays will be Money Market, a consistent six-year-old bay contender trained by Gary Subratie, a conditioner who never brings a horse to a stakes race unless he believes they can win. Money Market has not finished off the podium in any five-furlong race in over a year, including a victory posted in 57.2 seconds back in February. Jockey Emelio McLean plans to let the two leading speed horses wear each other out in the early stages before making his move for home. He is widely considered the biggest threat to Legacy Isle — if the long layoff leaves the favorite tired in the final 100 yards, Money Market is perfectly positioned to step in and take the trophy.
Long shot fans should not count out Mighty Gully, a filly who just notched a win at this exact distance in a sharp 57.4 seconds. She carries almost 20 pounds less weight than Legacy Isle, a significant advantage in sprint racing. Trained by Robert Pearson, who has her in peak race condition, and ridden by tactician Tajay Suckoo who excels at rating late-closing horses, Mighty Gully could fly down the outside in the final strides if Pack Plays and Legacy Isle battle each other to exhaustion in the first half of the race.
Another One, another horse that excels at the five-furlong straight, rounds out the mid-field, though trainer Anthony Nunes has acknowledged that stepping up to Graded Stakes company is a big step up in class for the runner. The final entrant, seven-year-old veteran Rainsville, is largely considered to be in the race only for appearance money, with his best racing days firmly behind him.
When all the tactics, weight advantages, and past form lines are stripped away, this race remains Legacy Isle’s to lose. A two-time second-place finisher at the Mouttet Mile, he finished both runs behind all-time greats — but this time, there is no Rideallday or Funcaandun to beat him. All that stands between him and the trophy is 1,000 meters of straight Caymanas Park turf and five competitors just trying to keep pace in his slipstream. If Legacy Isle is even 90 percent fit, he will win. If he is at 100 percent, he will leave the rest of the field far behind in his dust. For most pundits, the Reggae Trophy is already Legacy Isle’s — the rest of the field is simply racing for second place.
Beyond the featured Reggae Trophy, reporters have highlighted top contenders to watch across the rest of the day’s nine-race card: In Race 1, keep an eye on Wilson, Havajoy, and Sneaky Joe; Race 2 features top picks Another Mission, She’s Adorable, and Sweet Victory; Race 3’s runners to watch are Bowmore, Brompton Boy, and Hi Slew Squared; Race 4’s top contenders are Hazelt Nut, Lockdown, and Four Thirty; Prince Roy, Ability, and Awesome Anthony lead the field in Race 5; Wah A Gwaan, Hooray Henry, and Juventus One are the picks for Race 6; Alaeddin, Goodness Graceous, and Modern Monarch top Race 7; the featured 8th Race’s top three are Legacy Isle, Money Market, and Pack Plays; and Digital One, California Crown, and RicoRicoRico lead the way in the 9th and final race.
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Arsenal peaking at the right time says Arteta
LONDON – In a commanding display that has shifted the momentum of the 2024-25 Premier League title race, Arsenal crushed Fulham 3-0 at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday, opening up a six-point gap over defending champions Manchester City and sending a clear warning that Mikel Arteta’s side is still hungry to end their 22-year top-flight title drought.
Two first-half goals from Swedish striker Viktor Gyokeres, split by a clinical finish from winger Bukayo Saka, wrapped up all three points for the Gunners before the halftime whistle, capping a dominant opening 45 minutes that left Fulham unable to mount a meaningful comeback. The result gives Arsenal a crucial cushion ahead of Manchester City’s first of two games in hand, which sees Pep Guardiola’s side travel to face Everton on Monday night.
The win comes as a major confidence boost for Arsenal, who stumbled through rocky patches in April with damaging losses to both Manchester City and Bournemouth, leading to widespread speculation that the club was once again set to collapse under the pressure of a late title push. But Arteta’s side has bounced back in clinical fashion, shifting all pressure back onto the reigning champions, who can draw level on points with Arsenal with wins in both their outstanding fixtures. Even if City do pick up six points from these games, Arsenal currently hold a superior goal difference that could still prove decisive when the season concludes.
Speaking after the full-time whistle, Arteta reflected on his side’s position, noting: “Game two done. Another three to go. We won the most games in the history of this club in a whole season and it’s not finished. It was a critical game because we knew the importance of the win and the goal difference in the Premier League. It was a great team performance. We started in the game as we wanted. Very lively. Really intense in the high press. We got the crowd going and when this stadium creates that kind of atmosphere, it can be difficult for the opposition.”
A standout talking point from the match was the performance of Saka, who made his first start since recovering from an Achilles injury that kept him sidelined for five matches. The England international was a constant threat on the right flank, and Arteta hailed his impact at the most critical stage of the campaign. “We know what he is capable of. He comes back at the most important part of the season. His mind is fresh, he has the hunger,” Arteta added. “We are ramping up his minutes. We need to be careful because we need him on the pitch.”
After a string of anxious, tight performances in recent weeks, Saturday’s game saw Arsenal return to the free-flowing, aggressive attacking style that carried them to the top of the table in the first half of the season. Arteta says the performance reflects the unshakable belief in the dressing room that this is the year the club ends their wait for a league title, having finished as runners-up in each of the last three seasons.
“It says to us and our dressing room that we keep the dream alive. What our guys have done in these circumstances, without so many injured players at different times, it is incredible,” he said. “This is going to carry the energy into the next game.”
That next game is far from a gentle test: just three days after the Fulham win, Arsenal host Atletico Madrid in the second leg of their Champions League semi-final, with the tie tied at 1-1. A win on Tuesday will book Arsenal a place in the Champions League final for only the second time in the club’s history, and the first since 2006. Arteta says his side has managed to avoid distraction from the huge European fixture, and carried the same intensity into the Fulham match that they will need to progress.
“We talk about hunger and we had that today. Understanding that you don’t want to be distracted by a huge game here on Tuesday, we played with authority and desire,” Arteta said. “We have a lot of rhythm. We are used to playing every three days and we will play one of the biggest games in the history of this stadium.”
Before turning his focus to the Champions League, however, Arteta says he will be settling down to watch Manchester City’s trip to Everton on Monday, with the outcome of the match set to shape the rest of Arsenal’s season. When asked if he would be tuning in, he replied: “Yes because I love football and there is so much at stake.”
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Cavalier, Los Perfectos look to secure JWL semi-final spots
The Jamaica Women’s Premier League enters its pivotal ninth round of fixtures this afternoon, with two teams on the cusp of locking in their spots in the competition’s semi-finals. A positive result for either Cavalier FC or Los Perfectos will see them join already qualified defending champions Frazsiers Whip and Arnett Gardens in the final four, setting up a repeat of last season’s semi-final lineup if both secure the results they need.
In Zone A, 15-point Cavalier faces a high-stakes showdown against pre-qualified Arnett Gardens, with a full three points enough to punch their ticket to the knockouts. A repeat of their first-round 1-1 draw could also be enough for Cavalier to advance, though their fate will hang on the result of the simultaneous fixture between third-placed WiFi United and fourth-placed Real Mona FC at Merl Grove High. If Arnett Gardens claims victory, the door swings wide open for either WiFi United or Real Mona to close the gap on Cavalier heading into the competition’s tenth and final round of group play.
Arnett Gardens heads into the match with a formidable attacking lead: star striker Shikira Douglas has notched 11 goals so far this campaign, and a supporting trio of Tuanashae Hamilton, Sade Berry, and Suen Gregory have added another 11 goals combined, bringing the side’s total to 22. In contrast, Cavalier has only managed nine goals across the tournament so far, putting the underdogs on the back foot heading into kickoff.
Real Mona, which holds one game in hand over the teams above it, will look to leverage home advantage against WiFi United. The two sides played out a thrilling 3-3 draw in their earlier meeting this season, and experts expect another high-scoring affair at Merl Grove. Real Mona has notched 14 goals, the second-highest total in Zone A, but defensive fragility has held the side back: they have also conceded 15 goals, the second-worest record in the group. WiFi United fares even worse defensively, having let in 17 goals through eight rounds, creating the conditions for an open, goal-heavy contest.
Over in Zone B, Los Perfectos only needs a single point from its home fixture against Real MoBay AFC to confirm its semi-final place. The side already defeated Real MoBay 3-0 in an away matchup earlier this season in Montego Bay, and carries a massive attacking advantage into the round. Star forward Venicia Reid alone has scored 12 goals for Los Perfectos, double the five goals that Real MoBay has managed as an entire team. Still, the visitors have reason for confidence: they have picked up four points from their last two outings without conceding a single goal, carrying solid momentum into the encounter.
The final fixture of the round sees already group-qualified Frazsiers Whip face off against Mile Gully. The defending champions locked in the top spot in Zone B weeks ago with a staggering 22 points from eight matches, allowing the side to rest key first-team players for the knockout stage. Frazsiers Whip defeated Mile Gully 11-0 in their first matchup of the campaign, and fresh off an 11-0 blowout win over Springers United last weekend, the title holders are heavy favorites to extend their unbeaten run to nine consecutive matches.
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US airlines step up as Spirit winds down
On an early Saturday morning in Washington D.C., budget carrier Spirit Airlines—famous for its signature bright yellow aircraft—announced an immediate end to all global operations, ending last-ditch negotiations with creditors and the White House that failed to secure a financial lifeline for the struggling airline.
The sudden collapse came on the heels of a dramatic spike in jet fuel prices triggered by regional tensions in the Middle East. In a formal statement, Spirit confirmed all flights were canceled effective immediately, that customer service operations would cease, and that the company had begun the process of winding down its entire business. The low-cost carrier emphasized that it would honor its commitment to issuing refunds to passengers with unused tickets.
Founded in 1992 as one of the first budget airlines in the United States, Spirit had carried 28 million domestic and international passengers between February 2025 and January 2026, according to federal transportation data. But the company had teetered on the edge of insolvency for years, entering bankruptcy protection first in November 2024 and again in August 2025. As recently as late February, leadership announced a tentative debt restructuring agreement that raised hopes it would exit bankruptcy by early summer.
Those hopes quickly unraveled just days later, when military conflict between the U.S.-Israel coalition and Iran led to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global chokepoint for oil shipments. The disruption sent jet fuel prices skyrocketing, worsening Spirit’s already precarious financial position. Last-minute talks between company representatives, major creditors, and the Trump administration broke down in the overnight hours before the shutdown announcement, after creditors rejected the terms of a proposed government-backed bailout that would have given the White House an ownership stake in the reorganized company.
In the wake of the shutdown announcement, major U.S. air carriers including American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, United Airlines, and JetBlue Airways moved quickly to launch emergency assistance for thousands of passengers who woke Saturday to find their booked Spirit flights had been canceled. The competing carriers introduced deeply discounted “rescue fares” for stranded travelers, and announced plans to add extra flights or swap in larger aircraft on routes where Spirit held a large market share.
Beyond supporting stranded passengers, major airlines also moved quickly to offer employment to Spirit’s roughly 7,500 workers, who were left jobless by the sudden shutdown. Union leaders representing Spirit pilots and ground staff harshly criticized the collapse of the rescue deal, noting that the brunt of the fallout would fall on frontline workers and their local communities, not corporate boardrooms.
“ The pain of this decision will not be felt in boardrooms. It will be felt by pilots, flight attendants, mechanics, dispatchers, and ground crews, and by the families and communities that depend on them,” the Air Line Pilots Association said in a statement responding to the shutdown.
U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy defended the Trump administration’s handling of the crisis during a Saturday press conference at Newark Liberty International Airport, insisting that President Trump had pushed aggressively to find a path to keep Spirit operating. Duffy pinned ultimate responsibility for the collapse on creditors, who refused to accept the administration’s bailout terms, and added that the federal government did not have unallocated funds available for a half-billion dollar industry bailout. He also blamed the prior Biden administration for blocking a proposed merger between Spirit and JetBlue in March 2024, a move Duffy said left Spirit weakened and unable to absorb subsequent market shocks.
For many passengers, the shutdown has already upended long-planned travel. Sixty-year-old Florida resident Ramon, who had been scheduled to fly to Honduras this week to visit family, told AFP he and his son saw early reports of Spirit’s financial trouble but declined an earlier refund offer because replacement tickets on other carriers cost $1,000 per passenger, far more than they could afford. The pair now plans to wait for their Spirit refund before rebooking travel for early June.
Industry analysts say Spirit’s shutdown will have long-lasting impacts on U.S. air travel. Bradley Akubuiro, a crisis management expert at Bully Pulpit International, noted that while the sudden spike in fuel prices was the immediate trigger for Spirit’s collapse, the carrier had been in a fragile financial position for years. More importantly, Akubuiro said, the loss of Spirit removes one of the most powerful sources of downward pressure on airfares across the U.S. market, a shift that could lead to higher average ticket prices for all travelers in coming months.
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World Relays: Jamaica smash record in mixed 4x100m
On the opening day of the Debswana World Athletics Relays held in Gaborone, Botswana, Saturday delivered a historic moment that will be etched in track and field history books: Jamaica’s mixed 4x100m relay squad shattered the world record, becoming the first team in the event’s history to clock a sub-40 second time. The Jamaican foursome, made up of sprinters Ackeem Blake, Tina Clayton, Kadrian Goldson and Tia Clayton, put on a dominant display of speed and flawless baton passing from the opening crack of the gun to the final handover, powering through their qualifying heat to stop the clock at an unprecedented 39.99 seconds. Their new mark toppled the 40.07 second world record that Canada had set just minutes earlier in the day’s first qualifying heat, a performance that had already left spectators and commentators stunned ahead of Jamaica’s history-making run. Beyond securing their spot at the top of the rankings for Sunday’s event final, the record-breaking run automatically locked in Jamaica’s qualification for two upcoming major global athletics competitions: the World Athletics Ultimate Championship, scheduled to take place in Budapest, Hungary this coming September, and the 2027 World Athletics Championships set to be hosted in Beijing. Great Britain’s squad crossed the line second behind Jamaica in the heat, finishing with a solid time of 40.72 seconds to earn their own place in the final, while Australia rounded out the top three with a 40.78 second finish to also advance to the next round of competition. The opening day of the World Athletics Relays has already set a high bar for competition, with Jamaica’s historic achievement signaling what is sure to be an action-packed final day of world-class racing.
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Johnson Smith to welcome India’s foreign minister to Kingston
KINGSTON, Jamaica — A landmark chapter in Jamaica-India diplomatic relations is set to open this weekend, as Jamaica’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Senator Kamina Johnson Smith, prepares to welcome India’s Minister of External Affairs, Dr. S. Jaishankar, for the first-ever bilateral visit by an Indian External Affairs Minister to the Caribbean nation.
Dr. Jaishankar is slated to touch down at Kingston’s Norman Manley International Airport this Saturday, kicking off a three-day itinerary focused on deepening bilateral cooperation across multiple priority sectors. Ahead of the visit, Jamaica’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade released an official statement noting that the high-level trip will give both top diplomats a chance to review the current state of bilateral ties and move forward with talks to activate existing Memoranda of Understanding covering three key areas: public health, energy solarisation, and public broadcasting.
Beyond operationalizing these existing agreements, the two sides are also set to explore new and expanded collaboration in high-impact areas including agriculture, digital technology and innovation, tourism, and align on regional and multilateral issues that are of shared interest to both nations.
“This visit builds on the strong foundation between Jamaica and the Republic of India, rooted in history, shared values and a common vision for inclusive and sustainable development. I look forward to welcoming Minister Jaishankar to Kingston as we continue to strengthen the longstanding ties between our countries,” Johnson Smith said in a statement. “It presents an excellent opportunity to translate the strong political will demonstrated by our leaders into tangible outcomes that benefit our peoples.”
Johnson Smith also highlighted that the visit will serve as a key moment for Jamaica’s government and people to formally renew their sincere gratitude to India for the generous relief supplies New Delhi donated in the wake of Hurricane Melissa, and to reaffirm both countries’ shared commitment to advancing long-term economic resilience across the Global South.
Official bilateral talks between Dr. Jaishankar, Johnson Smith, and a select group of Jamaican cabinet ministers are scheduled for Monday, May 4. Following the plenary discussions, the Indian External Affairs Minister will pay a courtesy call on Jamaica’s Prime Minister Dr. Andrew Holness at Jamaica House, and hold engagements with private sector leaders and other senior Jamaican government officials.
The bilateral relationship between Jamaica and India stretches back more than six decades: the two countries formally established diplomatic relations on August 12, 1962, just months after Jamaica gained its independence. The partnership has gained significant momentum in recent years, starting with Jamaica’s launch of its first resident diplomatic mission in India in September 2020. Earlier this year, the Jamaican High Commission in New Delhi was formally opened during Prime Minister Holness’ official trip to India, which marked the first official visit by a sitting Jamaican head of government to the South Asian nation.
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World Relays: Jamaica advance to mixed 4x400m final
On Saturday at the Debswana World Athletics Relays hosted in Gaborone, Botswana, Jamaica’s mixed 4x400m relay team delivered a standout performance to punch their ticket to the event’s final, crossing the finish line first in their semi-final heat with a time of 3 minutes 11.68 seconds.
The quartet made up of sprinter Deandre Watkin, sprinter-hurdler Shana Kaye Anderson, rising sprint star Antonio Watson and 400m hurdler Rushell Clayton outpaced competing squads to claim the top spot in the second semi-final heat. Poland followed behind in second place with a time of 3:13.00, while Nigeria rounded out the top three with a 3:13.12 clocking.
Beyond securing a place in the upcoming World Athletics Relays final, the result also guarantees Jamaica’s spot in two upcoming elite global track and field competitions: the inaugural World Athletics Ultimate Championship, scheduled to take place in Budapest, Hungary this coming September, and the 2027 World Athletics Championships set to be hosted in Beijing, China.
Jamaica’s semi-final run posted the ninth-fastest time across all three qualifying heats. However, under the event’s qualification rules, the first two finishing teams from each of the three heats earn an automatic spot in the final. With their first-place finish in the heat, Jamaica advanced to the next round without facing any elimination uncertainty.
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Poet Marcia Jackson thrilled to be hosting IRAWMA
When the curtains rise on the 43rd International Reggae And World Music Awards (IRAWMA) at Florida’s Lauderhill Performing Arts Center on May 17, Jamaican-born poet Marcia Jackson will step into two high-profile roles at once: competing for an unprecedented third consecutive victory and leading the star-studded annual ceremony as host.
Jackson, who now makes her home in Florida, will face off against four other contenders — Amaziyah The Great, Majorie Walters (known professionally as Maj Da Poet), Richie Innocent, and Wise Wurdz — for the prestigious Mutabaruka Award for Best Poet/Spoken Word Entertainer. While landing a third straight win would be a career-defining milestone, Jackson says the opportunity to helm the entire event has left her equally overwhelmed with gratitude and excitement.
Speaking to Observer Online, Jackson described the dual honor as “surreal and humbling.” “As a poet, my core mission has always been to hold a mirror up to our shared culture and history,” she explained. “Hosting this year’s IRAWMA feels like a long-awaited coming together: poetry and reggae music, sharing the same stage and speaking the same cultural language. Winning this award twice already has proven that our spoken word art form earns the respect it deserves here. Now, as host, I get to shine a spotlight on every genre that carries our stories — from raw dub poetry to upbeat dancehall.”
Jackson’s path to the IRAWMA stage has been shaped by a multifaceted career rooted in Caribbean creative tradition. Born and raised in Portland, Jamaica, she got her start in the entertainment industry as a dancehall deejay performing under the stage name Copper Girl. Inspired by iconic Caribbean literary and cultural figures including poet Claude McKay and folklorist Louise “Miss Lou” Bennett Coverley, she began penning her own poetry as a teenager. Beyond her work as a performance artist, Jackson maintains a diverse professional profile: she is a registered nurse, a stage actress with credits including the production *The Real Wife*, and the organizer of the popular annual Easter Comedy Show in Jupiter, Florida.
That varied background, Jackson says, has given her a unique set of skills perfectly tailored to hosting the major awards event. “Dub poetry taught me timing, breath control, and how to command an entire room with nothing but words,” she noted. “My work in drama gave me stage presence and taught me how to hold an audience’s attention from start to finish. And organizing community events like the Unity Dance for Florida Nursing Month taught me behind-the-scenes logistics, how to manage a running order, and how to keep energy high for hours on end. All of those experiences come together when you step out to host an event this big.”
Founded by Ephraim Martin, a former photojournalist with Jamaican newspaper *The Gleaner*, the IRAWMA has a 41-year history of celebrating Caribbean and global roots music. First launched as the International Reggae Music Awards in 1982 in Chicago, the awards have honored hundreds of artists, musicians, producers, and industry leaders, with a core focus on Jamaican creative talent. This year’s ceremony features 40 competitive categories decided by public voting, plus five additional Special Honours recognitions for outstanding contributions to the genre.
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World Relays: Strong Jamaican team lead qualifiers for women’s 4x100m
The 2024 Debswana World Athletics Relays, hosted in Gaborone, Botswana, delivered a standout opening performance from Jamaica’s powerhouse women’s 4x100m relay squad on the event’s first qualifying day. The quartet, made up of global sprint star Shericka Jackson, Jodean Williams, Lavanya Williams and Jonielle Smith, blazed through the track to clock an impressive 41.96 seconds, finishing first in their qualifying heat and securing the top overall seed for Sunday’s highly anticipated final.
Finishing behind the dominant Jamaican team, Germany claimed second place in the heat with a solid time of 42.44 seconds, while Portugal rounded out the top three with a historic run. The Portuguese squad set a new national record of 43.11 seconds, marking a career milestone for the team and a standout moment in the qualifying round.
Beyond securing their spot in the weekend’s final, the leading performance from Jamaica punched the country’s ticket to two major upcoming global athletics competitions: the World Athletics Ultimate Championship, scheduled to take place in Budapest, Hungary this coming September, and the 2025 World Athletics Championships set to be hosted in Beijing. This early qualification solidifies Jamaica’s status as one of the top contenders for gold in both events later this year and next.
Three other participating teams — Belgium, France, and Nigeria — faced disqualification during Saturday’s opening qualifying heats. However, the teams have been granted a second opportunity to qualify, and will compete in an additional qualifying round held Sunday ahead of the main final to earn their place in the championship round.