Blake’s Road To London Via Adidas Grand Prix Although I booked a ticket for London at the end of April, it was not until the Adidas Grand Prix held at Icahn Stadium, Randall’s Island, June 9, 2012, that my “official” road to London began.  Watching Olympics 2012 in the US was a definite and resounding, “NO WAY!”  A refrain I’ve been muttering to myself for the past four years.  I hoped for months that it would be London, maybe Jamaica and possibly Canada.

Jamaican Headlines News, Jamaican Diaspora News & Jamaican Sports Headlines for the week ending July 27th, 2012 South African President Visits Jamaica | 15,000 Pounds Of Marijuana Burned By Jamaican Police | New Magazine Introduced In Ocho Rios | Ellington Reports Significant Drop In Serious Crime Rate | Food Prices To Rise In Jamaica | Jamaican Becoming Global Technology Hub | Jamaican Media May Receive Access To Olympic Camp | Bolt To Carry Jamaican Flag In Opening Olympic Ceremony | Jamaican Youth Perform Well At International Chess Meet | Jamaican Activists Attend Global Aids Conference | Jamaican Diaspora Should Be Able To Vote | JBDC To Showcase Jamaican Products In UK | Jamaican Minister Urges Athletes To Protect Intellectual Rights | Jamaican Competes In Olympic Equestrian Events | Bolt Training In Seclusion In UK | Bolt Cleared By Doctor To Defend Titles

Jamaican Headlines News, Jamaican Diaspora News & Jamaican Sports Headlines for the week ending July 20th, 2012 Les Green Blames Gay People For Violence | Jamaican Journalist Targeted By International Gay Activists | Simpson Miller Says Jamaica Is More Than A Brand | Jamaica's Opposition To Resist "Yes Man" As Contractor General | Three Jamaican Soldiers Charged In Murder Of Accountant | Jamaica Sends Delegation To OAS For Discussion Of Labor, Social Aid | Jamaican Officials Arrested For Lottery Scam Involvement | Arrested PNP Members Will Get No Special Treatment, Says Bunting | Jamaican Association Of Bermuda Marks Independence | 45th Annual Caribbean Carnival Begins In Toronto | Deaths Related To Aids Decrease In Caribbean | Jamaican Deejay Pleads Guilty To U.S. Charges  | Dacres Wins Jamaica's First Discus Gold Medal At Junior Championships | Russell Wins Women's World Junior Hurdles | Blake Wins 100 Meters In Lucerne | Olympic Security Tight For Jamaicans

Jamaican Headlines News, Jamaican Diaspora News & Jamaican Sports Headlines for the week ending July 13th, 2012 Green Encourages Government To Provide More Support To Police | Workers Upset As Employer Use Biometric Time-clock System | Caribbean Maroons Look To Tourism To Save Their Culture | JLP Wants Government To Justify Hirings  | Trench Town High School Has Trouble Filling Spaces | AAJ To Give Island Airports More Culture | Tech School Abolishes Shift System | No Decision Has Been Made On Closing Jamaican Bauxite Plant  | Jamaican Prime Minister Guest Of Honor At New York Gala | Jamaican Dub Poet Receives British Honor | Grant-bryan On Mission To Participate In Jamaican Development | Jamaican Women Celebrate Annual Event In D.C.  |  Williams-mills Finishes Second In Women's 400 | Jamaican Bobsledder Ready To Compete | Gayle, Samuels Power Windies To Win Over New Zealand | Bolt Contends With Fitness Issues

Jamaican Headlines News, Jamaican Diaspora News & Jamaican Sports Headlines for the week ending July 6th, 2012 All Jamaicans Called Upon To Battle Vector-Borne Disease  | Health Tourism To Benefit All Jamaicans, Says Hylton | Bureacracy Should Be Minimal, Says Ffolkes-Abrahams | Jamaican Government Moves Toward Renewable Energy Market | Police Hold Three Suspects In Killings Of Security Guards | Youth Minister Gets Failing Grade From Youth Group Leaders | Courier Customers Could Be Impacted By U.S. Banking Law | Three Groups Want Pardon For Marcus Garvey | Referees From Jamaican Complete Four-day Course | Hanna Looking For 50 Young Jamaican Leaders | Consulate General To Host Service In Honor Of 50th Anniversary | Chefs To Showcase Jerk Cuisine In New York| Blake Defeats Bolt, Both Advance In 200 Meters In Trials | Bolt Blames Blocks For Defeat In 100 Meters | Blake Outruns Bolt In The 200 Meters | Bolt Withdraws From Monaco Diamond League Competition

Jamaican Headlines News, Jamaican Diaspora News & Jamaican Sports Headlines for the week ending June 29th, 2012 Jamaica, U.S. Try To Recover Assets From Money Laundering Scheme | Development Bank Continues Attempts To Sell Orange Farmlands | Education Minister Calls For Ouster Of Non-performing Teachers | Building Society Offers New Scholarships In Honor Of Independence | Jamaicans Should Reconsider Community Parenting Concept | Funding From European Union Not Impacted By Gay Rights Stance | Local Agriculture To Benefit From Tax Package | Police Ask Jamaicans To Expose Lotto Scammers | Canadian Minister Of Citizenship Marks Jamaican Diaspora Day | Jamaicans Overseas Criticize Diaspora Movement | Not Guilty Plea From Jamaican Deejay In Minnesota | Alumnus Meets With President Of Florida University | Three Jamaicans Make West Indies "A" Squad | Smaller Team For CAC, Says JAAA | Jamaicans To See Strong Competition From Gatlin, In London | Olympic Trials Feature Sprint Competition

Jamaican Headlines News, Jamaican Diaspora News & Jamaican Sports Headlines for the week ending June 22nd, 2012 McNeill Suggests Coudray-Greaves Known By Attackers | PNP Reports Getting $1 Million From Swindler Smith | Justice Minister Calls For Business Sector To Be Pro-Investment | Agriculture Ministry Wants To Expand Production Of Ginger, Turmeric | IMF Directors Disagree On Jamaican Austerity | Police Station In Falmouth To Open In September 2012 | Grade Six Achievement Test Results Announced | Simpson Miller Pays Visit To New Embassy In Brasilia | Legal Action Taken By Jamaicans Against Former Employer | New U.S. Immigration Policy To Benefit Many Jamaicans | Jamaican Ambassador To U.S. Favors CCJ | Simpson Miller Cites Importance Of Diaspora | Blake Wins 100-meter Race In Edmonton | Senior Netball Team Victorious Over South Africa | Fifth Place For Jamaica At Centrobasket Championships | Mou Signed By JCA And G.C. Foster

Jamaican Headlines News, Jamaican Diaspora News & Jamaican Sports Headlines for the week ending June 15th, 2012 Higher Taxes For Jamaica's Tourism Sector  | Jamaican Drug Lord Receives 23-year Sentence  | Bar Association Wants Review Of Proposed Law Amendments  | "Dudus" Coke Sentence Leaves Jamaicans Stunned  | In Budget Debate, Simpson Miller Emphasizes Devotion To The Poor  | Police Officer In Jamaica Charged With Beheading Potential Witness  | Phillips Downplays Impact Of Imf Situation  | Education Ministry To Change National Curriculum  | Five Jamaican Students Receive Medical Scholarships To Cuba  | Jamaican Ambassador To Japan Celebrates Jamaica 50  | Jamaican Appointed Chairman Of Caribbean Commission In Maryland  | Jamaica To Offer "National" Experience In London 2012 Olympics  | Blake Plans To Be Like Bolt  | Blake, Fraser-pryce Win 100-meter Titles In New York | Usain Bolt Involved In Car Crash, Unhurt | Police Say Bolt "Sketchy" About Accident

Jamaican Headlines News, Jamaican Diaspora News & Jamaican Sports Headlines for the week ending June 8th, 2012 Jamaican Places Fourth In Scripps Spelling Bee | Jamaica Faces Austerity And Economic Growth  | Allen Says Jamaica Will Always Have High Regard For British Queen | Every Jamaican Owes $600,000 Due To Nation's Public Debt | Prime Minister Says Government Committed To Security | Prime Minister Launches Program To Help The Poor | Samuda Wants Lng From Trinidad And Tobago | Anniversary Celebrations Remember Miss Lou | Former Jamaican Policeman Deported From Seattle | Jamaicans Among Those Honored At Diamond Jubilee | Program In Niagra Supports Jamaican Workers | Jamaican Track & Field Wear Showcased By Usain Bolt, Cedella Marley | Blackwood Happy To Be Accepted To Hpc Program | Taylor Of Houston Dynamos To Play For Jamaica In World Cup Qualifier | Bolt Works Hard For Oslo Victory | Jaaa Men's Final Competition Strong

Jamaican Headlines News, Jamaican Diaspora News & Jamaican Sports Headlines for the week ending June 1st, 2012 Government To Address Criticism Of Tax On Printed Material | Police Kept Busy By Jamaican Blackmailers | Police In St.ann Seek To Reassure Residents Concerned About Crime | Senior Police Officer's Death To Be Investigated | Heritage Status Sought For Sunken Port Royal | Divorces In Jamaica Increasing | Jamaican Reaches Finals For Scripps Spelling Bee | Samuda Says Jamaica Should Leave Caricom  | RMP Group To Join Diaspora Panel In Jamaica  | Two Jamaicans Receive Canadian Medals Of Bravery  | Entrepreneurship To Be Encouraged In Uk's Jamaican Diaspora | Ann Scott Named High Commissioner To Nigeria | Bolt Wins 100 Meters At Golden Spike | Jamaican Martial Arts Team Dominate Taekwondo International | Donovan Ricketts To Help Reggae Boyz | Bolt Wins Men's 100 Meters At Diamond League

Jamaican Recipes iPhone & iPad App We are pleased to RE-introduce our application in the Apple App Store for the iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch. The application, "Jamaican Recipes" allows users to browse Jamaicans.com's database of over 110 recipes with step by step cooking instructions and view of glossary of Jamaican foods.  

Jamaican Headlines News, Jamaican Diaspora News & Jamaican Sports Headlines for the week ending May 25th, 2012 JPS "Arrogant" According To Paulwell | U.S. Justice Breyer Victimized By Burlary A Second Time | Human Rights Group In Jamaica Glad Of Police Apology To Digicel | Jamaica Awarded First Safety Award | Criminals In Jamaica Buy Costly Boat Passage To U.S. | Amnesty International Laments Human Rights Violations In Jamaica | Tax Measures Announced By Government | "Dudus" To Be Sentenced On June 8, 2012 | Fellow Jamaican Testifies Against "Dudus" | Jamaican Criminals Smuggled From Bahamas | Jamaican Diaspora Convention Sparks Book Gift | Jamaican Wins Gold Medal At UK's Chelsea Flower Show | Winter Olympic Hockey Team Hopes For Jamaica Enhanced | Jamaican Women Golfers Compete In Caribbean Classic | Jamaicans Impressive In Shanghai Diamond League Meet | Bolt Set To Improve Season's Best Time

New Blog: Love 2 Travel Write Film We are pleased to announce a new Jamaicans.com blog "Love 2 Travel Write Film". Award winning filmmaker, Diana O’Gilvie’s work is driven by her global curiosity and distinctive approach to authentic story-telling. Armed with a Master’s Degree in film from Long Island University and a Bachelor of Art’s degree in English from York College, Diana has coupled this academic knowledge with independent film experience on the international stage.  Her award winning documentary”Chasing Daddy” (Best New Cinema 2011, Worldwide RF Festival) and “Does Hair Matter?” have been screened in New York, London, Jamaica garnering much praise. As a writer her work has appeared in USA Today, Matador Network, Suite 101, Orlando Examiner, and Dream Wedding Magazine. Diana is an avid photographer and global traveler.

Jamaican Headlines News, Jamaican Diaspora News & Jamaican Sports Headlines for the week ending May 18th, 2012 Biodiversity In Jamaica Threatened | More Focus On Health, Says Simpson Miller | Prominent Crime Fighter To Leave Police Force In 2013 | Turks And Caicos Court Names Pnp And Jlp As Beneficiaries Of Smith | Jamaican Government To Increase Capacity To Reduce Drug Trafficking | Jamaican Musicians Create New Theme Song For Reggae Boyz | Eight Individuals Arrested For Lottery Scam In Jamaica | Fertilizer Distributed To Coffee Farmers To Increase Crop Yields | New York Filmmaker Focuses On Jamaican Homophobia | Ten Jamaican Men Who Left The Bahamas For Miami Now Missing | Assamba Focuses On Diaspora Goals And Aspirations | Anti-Gay Jamaicans In UK Stopped From Fostering 16th Child | Powell Loses To American Justin Gatlin | Lance Laing Joins Jamaican Team | Bolt Focuses On Olympics, Ends Relationship With Lubica | Windies To Face Difficult Opponent - For details see - http://bit.ly/eN5QYC

New Blog: Kate and Kayla … We are pleased to announce a new Jamaicans.com blog "Kate and Kayla ". The blog is about two Canadian girls who quit their jobs, sold everything and moved to Jamaica in pursuit of sunshine, adventure and happiness!

Jamaican Headlines News, Jamaican Diaspora News & Jamaican Sports Headlines for the week ending May 11th, 2012 Riverton Residents Want Redress From Fire Effects | Education Leaders Commit To Improving The System | Debt Interest Payments Were Highest In Jamaica In 2011 | Digicel Office Raided | Claim States That Jamaican Political Parties Funded By Fraudster | Jamaican Economy Crippled By IMF Policies | Losses Continue For Air Jamaica | Government Defends Its Raid On Digicel |  Lamont Named New Jamaican Consul General To New York | Jamaica 50 Celebrated With Jaac Brunch | Jerk Festival In U.S. To Celebrate Jamaica's Independence, Grace Foods | Competition Introduced For Diaspora Entrepreneurs | Asafa Powell Withdraws From Jamaica Invitational | Bolt Faces Charges Of Racism For Personal Relationship | Bolt Wins 100 Meter Race At Jamaica Invitational | 24 Jamaicans Participate At Cayman Invitational - For details see - http://bit.ly/eN5QYC

Jamaican Headlines News, Jamaican Diaspora News & Jamaican Sports Headlines for the week ending May 4th, 2012 Broadcaster Tied To Journalist Shooting To Reappear In Gun Court | Architects Busy With Design Of Island's Future | Island Murder Rate Drops By 30 Percent | High School Teacher Stabbed By Suspended Male Students | Supreme Court Of Jamaica Rejects Police Challenge | Trinidad And Tobago, Jamaica Attempt To Resolve Trade Imbalance | Jamaica's Foreign Ministers Recalled | UNICEF And Jamaica's Government Partner In Plan For Children | Jovan Young, Londoner, Hopes To Represent Jamaica At Olympics | Support From Diaspora To Athletes At Penn Relays Strong | "Jamericans" Come Out To See Simpson Miller In Brooklyn | Jamaican National Designs "Emotional" | Morgan Continues Winning Discus Performance | Jamaican Flag To Fly At Penn Relays | Gibson Stays Away From Gayle In Regard To Wicb Clash | Restructuring On Tap For Local - For details see - http://bit.ly/eN5QYC

Jamaican Headlines News, Jamaican Diaspora News & Jamaican Sports Headlines for the week ending April 27th, 2012 Documentary About Marley Attracts Fans | Bartley Calls For More Attention To Sports And Culture | Murdered Jamaican Girl Trying To Help Family | Foreign Visitors Travelling To Jamaica For Health Care | Attorney Hopes Myrie Case Will Result In Changes | Vaccine Coverage Improving In Jamaica | Powell Fired As Leader Of Rada | Jamaicans Who Travel To U.s. To See Income Disclosed |Hate-mail" Trial To Begin | Cricket Match To Mark Jamaica's 50th Anniversary | Jamaican-born Poet To Write Piece For Cultural Olympiad | Reckord Honored In Chile| Jamaican International Invitational Give Preview Of London 2012 | Kerron Stewart Wins | Jamaican Athletes In Penn Relays Honored In NYC | Women Win Over Sri Lanka - For details see - http://www.jamaicans.com/news/weeknews

Jamaica Photo Essay - Vendors We added the "The Vendors" photo essay showing vendors in Jamaica selling their "wares" on the road. The photos were taken in 2011 by Alyson Robinson. Check it out today!!

Jamaica Photo Essay - Men at work We added the "National Works Agency workmen" photo essay showing Jamaican men building a road. The photos were taken in 2011 by Alyson Robinson. Check it out today!!

Good Jamaican: Agriculture in St. Elizabeth I had intended this article to be about the future of Agriculture in Jamaica.  You see, last week Wednesday my brother and his family and me and mine made a 2 vehicle trek to Malvern, St. Elizabeth to visit my friend and colleague Kingsley.  Kingsley has been a farmer for decades and in recent times, Kingsley has added to his agricultural endeavours in a really high-tech way.  You see, Kingsley now cultivates crops in what we (ahem!) agriculturists refer to as a "controlled environment".

The Year 2011 in Jamaican Arts& Entertainment - Jamaica Year in Review 2011 Buju Banton, a popular reggae musician convicted on drug-related charges, continued to fight this conviction, filing an appeal in the United States. He was found guilty of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine, possession of a firearm to further a drug-trafficking offense, and use of a telephone to facilitate a drug-trafficking offense.

Awards, Honors and Recognition in 2011 - Jamaica Year in Review 2011 Jamaica's Cabinet approved the acquisition of the birthplace of Marcus Mosiah Garvey, the first national hero of the country. The property in St. Ann's Bay is scheduled for rehabilitation, said Laleta Davis Mattis, executive director of the Jamaica National Heritage Trust.The 124th anniversary of Garvey's birth was celebrated at the site on August 17, 2011.

Diaspora Activities 2011 - Jamaica Year in Review 2011 A number of Caribbean and Jamaican films were introduced at the Caribbean Tales Toronto Film Festival in Canada, showcasing the area's considerable talent over ten days in September. The Jamaican film "Better Mus' Come" written and directed by Storm Saulter led off the prestigious Bahamas International Film Festival. Saulter's first feature film, it was the only Jamaican film at the festival and was called a "new benchmark" for the country's filmmaking. It focuses on the late 1970s in Jamaica and the "political tribalism" of the time.  

Business and Finance in 2011 - Jamaica Year in Review 2011 At the beginning of 2011, Jamaican businesses had an optimistic view of the nation's economic growth, but consumers were more pessimistic about the state of the economy. In the business sector, optimism rose to its highest level since the third quarter of 2007, when the current government took office. During the last quarter of 2010, however, Jamaican consumers were more pessimistic than they were in the third quarter of the year. However, less than one in 20 citizens blamed the government for the poor state of the economy. In contrast, many business leaders felt the government was the reason for the economic downturn.

Education Issues 2011 - Jamaica Year in Review 2011 Dr. Christopher Tufton, Jamaica's Minister of Industry, Investment and Commerce, supports providing subsidies for vocational and tertiary education to areas with the greatest need. Government-subsidized education and training programs should be focused on the challenges facing the nation as a whole, rather than being perceived as a means for taxpayers to fund all areas of study, said Tufton.

Diplomacy and International Relations 2011 - Jamaica Year in Review 2011 A key incident from 2010 continued to make its impact felt diplomatically in 2011. The attempt of Jamaican soldiers to capture Christopher "Dudus" Coke, local gang leader wanted by the United States as he had been indicted on charges of operating an international drug ring, caused the deaths of 73 individuals in Tivoli Gardens on May 24, 2010.

Economy 2011 - Jamaica Year in Review 2011 The economy took center stage for much of 2011 as the entire world faced difficult economic conditions. In January, the Jamaica Stock Exchange was ready to introduce an electronic trading system that allows real-time simultaneous tracking of stocks on the exchanges of Jamaica, Barbados, and Trinidad and Tobago. Investors in these regions will now be able to buy and sell equities directly, rather going through a settlement bank.

Sports 2011 - Jamaica Year in Review 2011 Although American Tyson Gay won the men's 100-meters in Clermont, running the fastest time in the world thus far in 2011, Jamaica's Nickel Ashmeade ran a personal best time of 9.96 seconds, compared to Gay, who ran the distance in 9.79....Jamaican, the three-time champion of the WICB Regionals, struggled with its batting in a match versus Windward Islands. The Jamaicans achieved 177 for six in the first innings in the second round match at Queen's Park stadium. Marlon Samuels led the visitors with 40, while Tamar Lambert, Jamaican captain, had 35. Later, the Jamaicans have been victorious in three of four regional first-class matches with the Windwards....

Obituaries for 2011 - Jamaica Year in Review 2011 The life of Mortimer "Tino" Geddes, a veteran journalist, was celebrated at Unity Jamaica Church in Kingston. Leonard Dillon, reggae music pioneer, died of cancer at age 68. Community activist and freedom fighter Dudley Laws died at age 76 after a long battle with kidney disease. Barry Llwellyn, the founder of the Jamaican reggae and rocksteady trio the Heptones, died at the age of 64 of unknown causes at Kingston Public Hospital.....See more Obituaries for 2011

Health Issues 2011 - Jamaica Year in Review 2011 The health and welfare of children in Jamaica was the focus of considerable concern in 2011. According to a 2011 survey from the National Health Council on Drug Abuse, high school students on the island are subject to suicidal thoughts, stress, and risk of being bullied. They drink alcohol and smoke tobacco and report feeling lonely. Many are overweight and unhealthy and do not feel that their parents understand their problems.

Government and Politics 2011 - Jamaica Year in Review 2011 In a year when a survey by Johnson Survey Research found that 60 percent of Jamaicans believed the nation would be in better shape today if it had remained under British rule, the resignation of Bruce Golding from his post as Prime Minister and the ascension of Andrew Holness, Minister of Education, to that position was the top story. And capping the story was the victory of the People's National Party (PNP) over the ruling Jamaica Labor Party in December, ousting Holness who had been considered a "shoo-in" and replacing him with Portia Simpson Miller.

Jamaica's Fiftieth Anniversary: Memorable Jamaican Moments Jamaica is the 3rd largest Caribbean Island, however, it is a country with tremendous potential and talent. Jamaicans are noted for excelling in all their endeavors; academically, in sports and entertainment. Many Jamaicans in history have aspired to enviable positions that most people dream about in a lifetime.

Jamaica's Fiftieth Anniversary: Controversial Jamaicans When we think of controversy we automatically think of shame and scandal, however, some people are considered controversial because they stand up for what they believe in or go against social paradigms.

Jamaica's Fiftieth Anniversary: Prominent Physicians This article has special meaning for me because as a child growing up in Jamaica I was plagued with childhood illnesses that very few Doctors had remedies for, however, there was one Physician, Dr. John Martin, who left an indelible memory in my mind. His professionalism and capacity to be a genuine, caring, healer spoke volumes throughout my life and the lives of many other Jamaicans.

Jamaica's Fiftieth Anniversary: The Top 10 Most Powerful Jamaicans It is said, that the world's most richest and powerful people live in Jamaica or at the very least, own vacation homes on the Island. As quiet as their wealth and power is kept, many are unable to elude the spotlight because of their famous family names. Personalities such as Johnny Cash, Sir Noel Coward, John F. Kennedy and Princess Margaret, were deemed honorary Jamaicans because of their long vacationing status in the country. They all had one thing in common, and that is the fact that they possessed vacation residences by the glistening Jamaican sea. Here is out list of Top 10 Most Powerful Jamaicans.

New Blog: Black Hair Care We are pleased to announce a new Jamaicans.com blog "Black Hair Care". The Black Hair Care blog is by author Brenda Barrett.  A self-described health and hair fanatic she decided to turn my hobby into a learning experience. The blog will focus on healthy black hair care maintenance.

New Blog: Jerk Masala We are pleased to announce a new Jamaicans.com blog "Jerk Masala". The blog will chronicle the adventures of a Jazz, a Jamaican living in India.

Zombies: Their Caribbean Heritage and Transnational Journey to Wall Street Voodoo’s incursion of U.S. borders recently took an interesting turn when activists protesting against economic disparity in the United States installed themselves at Zuccotti Park in Lower Manhattan. Protests against America’s financial sector that began with just a handful of demonstrators in mid-September have spread across the nation and indeed the world, making the “Occupy”  movement one of the most visible and expansive populist movements in recent American history. The New York Times describes these protesters as “a diffuse group of activists who say they stand against corporate greed, social inequality and the corrosive power of major banks and multinational corporations over the democratic process”

Our Picks: Top 10 Jamaican Movies of All Time Here are our picks of the top 10 movie picks of all times based on popularity and  world market penetration.  Be sure to add your favorites to this list. During the year leading up to Jamaica’s 50th Independence on August 6, 2012, each week we’ll be compiling a list of things celebrating Jamaican foods, music, culture, people and more.