Kingston buzzed with electric anticipation on Thursday, June 27th, as the JAAA National Trials kicked off at the National Stadium. Fans and athletes alike gathered for a spectacle of speed, power, and endurance, where dreams of Paris 2024 began to take shape.

The June plum, scientifically known as Spondias dulcis (syn. Spondias cytherea), is a tropical tree that produces edible fruit with a distinctive fibrous pit. This fruit, cherished in many regions of the world, goes by several names: golden apple in the English-speaking Caribbean, pommecythere or cythere in other parts of the Caribbean, and vī in Polynesia. Brought to Jamaica in 1782, the June plum has since become a beloved staple, especially among children.

In a shocking and disheartening development, five-time Olympic gold medalist Elaine Thompson-Herah has withdrawn from the Jamaica National Athletics Championships, which are set to begin on Thursday. This news comes as a significant blow to the athletics world, as the star sprinter, who has consistently dazzled on the global stage, will not be able to defend her 100m and 200m titles at the upcoming Paris Olympics due to an injury.

The Jamaican dollar, the official currency of Jamaica, has a rich and complex history that reflects the island's colonial past, economic struggles, and path to independence. The evolution of the Jamaican dollar is a tale of adaptation and resilience, marked by significant milestones that have shaped the nation's financial landscape.

William Anthony Maragh, better known by his stage name Super Cat, stands as one of the most influential figures in the history of dancehall music. Born on June 25, 1963, in Kingston, Jamaica, Super Cat's journey through the music industry is a testament to his resilience, talent, and indomitable spirit. Known as "Wild Apache," a nickname given to him by his mentor Early B, Super Cat's contribution to the dancehall movement of the late 1980s and early 1990s remains unparalleled.

In the picturesque town of Wait a Bit, Trelawny, nestled within Jamaica's stunning Cockpit Country, a unique spirit is taking shape. Wait a Bit Vodka, a premium small-batch vodka, is crafted from select yellow yams grown by small farmers in the surrounding mountainside. This innovative vodka, made with locally sourced spring water, is gluten-free and boasts the freshest taste on the market.

The U.S. media is riding high on a wave of confidence following the standout performances of Sha'Carri Richardson and Noah Lyles at the U.S. Olympic Team Trials for Track & Field in Eugene, Oregon. This renewed sense of American dominance in track and field has led to some bold predictions, with notable figures like Shannon Sharpe of ESPN's First Take emphatically claiming that the U.S. women are poised to dominate their Jamaican counterparts.

Rastafarianism, a spiritual movement that emerged from Jamaica in the early 20th century, is rooted in the proliferation of Ethiopianism and Pan-Africanism. Its rise can be traced to the coronation of Ethiopian Emperor Haile Selassie I in 1930, which was seen by its adherents as the fulfillment of a prophecy made by Marcus Garvey, a key figure in the Pan-African movement. This movement, marked by the belief in Selassie’s divinity, found its early foundation through the efforts of preachers like Leonard Howell, who established the first prominent Rastafarian community in 1940. As the movement grew, it gained global attention through the music of devoted Rastafarian Bob Marley. Despite the deaths of Selassie in 1975 and Marley in 1981, Rastafarianism endures, maintaining a presence in the United States, England, Africa, and the Caribbean.

The Caribbean Sea, with its turquoise waters and emerald isles, was once a paradise. It was a world of endless summer, where the sun’s golden rays kissed the land and the sea alike. But beneath this idyllic surface, the Caribbean was a battleground, a place where nations clashed and where pirates—buccaneers, privateers, and freebooters—reigned supreme. At the heart of this tumultuous world was Jamaica, and at the heart of Jamaica, the infamous port city of Port Royal.

Cocoa, derived from the Theobroma cacao tree, has a rich and intricate history in the Caribbean, particularly in Jamaica. From its introduction and cultivation by the Spanish to its commercialization and global spread, cocoa has played a vital role in the economic and cultural landscapes of many Caribbean nations. This article delves into the historical journey of cocoa in the Caribbean, examining its cultivation, challenges, and eventual establishment as a premium quality product.