Ackee is native to West Africa, but Jamaica has accepted it as its national fruit. Many people enjoy this delicacy and it is a staple in the national dish – ackee and saltfish. But some find it less enticing than others. You only have to look at the different sides of ackee to understand the mixed feeling.
Blogs
Would you starve yourself to save the planet from climate change? Young German activists did just that for almost three weeks. Their intention? Secure a meeting with the three main candidates vying to replace Chancellor Angela Merkel to discuss Germany's response to the phenomenon.
Stacking plastic crates in a pyramid to climb up one side and down the other may be cute to some. But the milk crate challenge is downright dangerous, as viral videos show. To forestall injury to those who may want to try it, we suggest here a few more creative, and safer, ways to use milk crates.
Something extraordinary just happened. You're over the moon, and you rush to Twitter to stir up a conversation. Boom, in a flash, your tweet is hijacked. Now you’re getting bombarded with harassment from trolls, people hiding behind screens, hell-bent on instigating conflict online.
Our track superstars, Shelly-AnnFraser Pryce, Elaine Thompson-Herah and Shericka Jackson have more than made us proud. They sprinted to fame in a matter of weeks with three consecutive 1-2-3 wins, first at the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games, then the Oregon Prefontaine Classic Diamond League and now the Lausanne Diamond League in Switzerland.
Halfway through August, we have a covid-19 positivity rate of 35.3 per cent and hundreds of new cases daily. This means 35 of every 100 tested are confirmed with the virulent illness. Worse, it doesn’t seem likely to fade anytime soon. That may mean face-to-face school next month is looking a lot more like a romanticized fantasy. Don’t get us wrong.
Like other months, August has its share of excitement. Although it is usually very hot, we like it for the Emancipendence celebrations and food festivals. Many enjoy its harvests of summer crops. Others welcome August for holidays and beach outings. But there are other interesting things about the golden-shiny month.
Here are some August fun facts:
It's Jamaica 59: Come Mek We Celebrate Online! This is the theme for this year's independence celebrations. For a second time, we’re forced to honour our release from colonial shackles in muted tones because of the pandemic. Such a spoilsport!
The UNESCO World Heritage Site of Blue and John Crow Mountain inscribed for its natural and cultural heritage has a new getaway spot hidden inside the National Park! Away from the city noise at the end of a relaxing mountain drive, the Blues Brews Bistro is under the Holywell Discovery Centre.
It’s the outdoor season again and whew – we are hot! Even as we appreciate those gusts of winds in these long, lazy days – thank you, Lord! – be aware this weather can take a toll on our health and mood. The best way to beat the heat is to stay hydrated, and one way to do that is by savouring some of your favourite foods.