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  • Bike tour billed as ‘major push’ for health tourism

    Bike tour billed as ‘major push’ for health tourism

    ST JAMES, Jamaica — A long-running cross-island cycling event is marking a milestone for Jamaica’s growing adventure and health tourism movement, according to the event’s lead organizer. Dennis Chung, who serves as former interim president of the Jamaica Cycling Federation, CEO of Discover Jamaica by Bike, and Chief Technical Director at the Financial Investigations Division, calls this year’s six-day ride the first major step the country has taken to tap into the high-value health tourism niche that tourism leaders have discussed for years.

    The sixth iteration of the event will kick off officially on May 1, with a welcome reception held a day earlier for an expected 35 to 40 full-event participants coming from across the globe. Additional cyclists often join the route for individual legs along the way, pushing the total number of participants higher across the course of the trek. Unlike standard competitive cycling races, the event is designed to blend athletic challenge with immersive cultural tourism, showcasing Jamaica’s natural scenery, local communities, and signature cuisine to international visitors.

    Chung emphasized that the initiative’s core goal extends beyond creating a fun, challenging experience for cycling enthusiasts. Backed by major support from the Jamaica Tourist Board, the event is intentionally structured to deliver tangible economic benefits to local residents and small businesses across the island. Local cyclists are hired as tour guides for visiting riders, both during the official event and for independent cyclists visiting Jamaica outside the event window, creating sustained new income opportunities for Jamaican cycling community members. Every stop along the route is planned to direct participants to local street vendors, family-owned restaurants and regional hospitality businesses, spreading tourism revenue far beyond the main resort hubs.

    The cross-island route is strategically staged to start in Montego Bay, a choice driven by the city’s major international airport that offers more flight options for overseas visitors and close proximity to a wide range of accommodation. On the opening day, riders travel from Montego Bay to Negril, where they get the chance to relax on the famous Seven Mile Beach, sample local seafood dishes, and shop at neighborhood vendors. The second day carries riders from Negril to Mandeville, with planned food stops at iconic local spots in Border, which sits on the boundary of St James and St Elizabeth parishes, and Middle Quarters in St Elizabeth. This leg is one of the most physically demanding sections of the entire trip, culminating in the long, steep climb up Spur Tree Hill that serves as a signature challenge for returning participants.

    The third day of the trek moves riders from Mandeville to Jamaica’s capital, Kingston, with more stops at local food and craft spots along the route. After exploring Kingston, participants will head to the parish of Portland, a fan favorite among returning riders that offers some of the most scenic stretches of the entire route. Chung noted that the route through Portland and neighboring St Thomas also highlights the major improvements that have been made to Jamaica’s rural road infrastructure in recent years, making the area far more accessible for cycling tourists. Following a day of relaxed exploration of Portland’s coastal and mountain scenery, the group will travel back to St James, with a planned lunch stop in Ocho Rios and refreshment stops at local coconut vendors along the route.

    Chung added that most participants choose to extend their stays in Jamaica for several extra days after the official event wraps up, turning the cycling trek into a full vacation. For cycling enthusiasts around the world, blending a challenging multi-day ride with immersive cultural experiences and the natural beauty of Jamaica creates a one-of-a-kind tourism product that fills a key gap in the country’s expanding tourism offerings. For local communities, the growing popularity of the event is turning a beloved recreational activity into a sustainable driver of local economic growth.

  • WATCH: Cooreville Gardens resident leads community effort to patch potholes

    WATCH: Cooreville Gardens resident leads community effort to patch potholes

    KINGSTON, Jamaica — When a sudden burst tire from a pothole caught her attention on a rainy evening, one Cooreville Gardens resident refused to wait for official intervention. Instead, Maureen Gordon rallied fellow local volunteers to launch a grassroots pothole patching project to make her neighborhood’s roads safer for everyone.

    Gordon shared the story of how the initiative got off the ground in an interview with Jamaica Observer Online. She was relaxing in her living room during a heavy downpour when she heard a loud crash outside. Realizing a driver had hit one of the area’s many large, rain-hidden potholes and suffered a blown tire, she made the decision to act. The next morning, she inspected the damaged road and committed to taking on the work herself.

    Gordon explained that she had already ordered construction materials for another personal project, and chose to repurpose those supplies to start patching potholes before the contracted worker she hired was even scheduled to arrive. For her, the project is rooted in a core belief about community interdependence. “We have to live for each other. We are all a chain link. Some people don’t understand that whatever I do, I do from my heart,” she said.

    Local drivers and people passing through the neighborhood have already praised Gordon’s proactive effort. She noted that unaddressed potholes are a hazard for more than just local residents: countless through traffic drivers hit these hidden dips during heavy rain, often leaving with costly vehicle damage. By patching as many problem spots as the volunteer group can, they are working to reduce that preventable harm for everyone who uses the road.

    The community-led project was documented on video by journalist Llewellyn Wynter.

  • WATCH: Russell defends Brown Burke following parliamentary mace incident

    WATCH: Russell defends Brown Burke following parliamentary mace incident

    KINGSTON, Jamaica — A heated late-night debate over critical draft legislation has pushed parliamentary tensions to a boiling point, leaving Jamaica’s legislative body grappling with a public display of discord over how opposition lawmakers say their voices are being sidelined in key policy deliberations.

    The controversy unfolded Tuesday night inside Gordon House, Jamaica’s parliamentary building, during the clause-by-clause review of the National Reconstruction and Resilience Authority (NaRRA) Bill, a piece of legislation focused on national recovery and adaptive governance. As debate grew increasingly contentious, opposition Member of Parliament Angela Brown Burke made contact with the ceremonial mace, a centuries-old symbol of parliamentary authority. In response, Speaker Juliet Holness formally named and suspended Burke from the chamber. When Burke repeatedly refused to comply with orders to leave, parliamentary marshals were called to remove her, forcing an immediate pause to all legislative proceedings.

    In the wake of the confrontation, senior opposition lawmaker Kenneth Russell has broken his silence, framing the outburst as the inevitable outcome of a broken deliberative process that has left opposition representatives feeling shut out of negotiations on major bills.

    Russell confirmed that the opposition caucus does not condone Burke’s physical action, acknowledging her breach of parliamentary protocol was wrong. But he pushed back against framing the incident as an isolated act of insubordination, arguing the toxic, exclusionary environment inside the chamber created the conditions for the confrontation.

    “Honestly, the session has gotten to the point where we didn’t feel like we were being heard,” Russell explained. “We didn’t think it was fair. There wasn’t enough time allocated for us to hold the discussions we needed to have on behalf of the constituents we represent. She did what she did to get attention, to make sure our concerns were finally heard.”

    For opposition lawmakers, the frustration runs deeper than a single piece of legislation. Russell noted that the pattern of sidelining has left the caucus feeling cornered into taking more dramatic action to be heard. “We are working in an environment where we feel as though we have to push the limits,” he said. “We are here to represent our people. We are here to have our voices heard on issues that impact them, and when that isn’t possible, a bit of rebellion becomes necessary.”

    After the temporary halt, proceedings eventually resumed, with Prime Minister Andrew Holness calling on all lawmakers to reset, restore order, and uphold the institutional dignity of the Parliament as the review of the NaRRA Bill continued.

  • Tony Wilson, founder of 70s group Hot Chocolate and co-writer of ‘You Sexy Thing’ has died

    Tony Wilson, founder of 70s group Hot Chocolate and co-writer of ‘You Sexy Thing’ has died

    The British soul music landscape is mourning one of its foundational figures: Tony Wilson, bassist, songwriter and co-founder of the legendary group Hot Chocolate, has died at the age of 89. Wilson passed away peacefully at his home in Trinidad on April 24, and his family has confirmed the news via social media, though no specific cause of death has been disclosed to the public.

    In a heartfelt Facebook post announcing the loss, Wilson’s daughter shared that her father left behind a lasting legacy of beloved music that will resonate for generations. She reflected on the peaceful final days of his life, noting that he had reconnected with his faith the week before his passing, and had expressed awareness that his time was coming. “The peace that I have is knowing that his soul escaped. He is in and at peace,” she wrote.

    Wilson’s son Danny also opened up about the grief of losing his father, while highlighting the relentless work ethic that turned Wilson’s childhood dream of making music into a decades-long career. It was only after discovering his father’s old personal diaries from 1970 and 1971 that Danny understood just how grueling Wilson’s path to success was. Those diaries chronicle every rejection, every cross-country tour, every radio interview, and the meticulous tracking of every record sale – all against the backdrop of the fiercely competitive, cutthroat 1970s British music industry. “Words don’t do justice to the admiration I have for him as a human being or for his dedication to make his dream of getting the songs he wrote be heard,” Danny said, adding that the extent of his father’s hard work was “truly staggering”.

    Born in Trinidad, Wilson cut his teeth in the local and regional music scene, playing with a string of bands including The Flames, The Souvenirs and The Corduroys before teaming up with lead vocalist Errol Brown to form Hot Chocolate in the late 1960s. The pair got their first big break in 1969, after sending a reggae reimagining of John Lennon’s *Give Peace a Chance* directly to Lennon himself, who welcomed the adaptation and helped the band earn early industry attention.

    Hot Chocolate quickly rose through the ranks of British popular music. Their 1970 debut single *Love is Life* climbed to number six on the UK charts, kicking off an unprecedented run of success: the group notched at least one charting hit every single year through 1984, making them the first British act to earn 15 consecutive years of top chart entries. The 1974 ballad *Emma* became the band’s first major breakthrough hit in the United States a year after its UK release, and later that same year, the Wilson-co-written track *You Sexy Thing* cemented the group’s place in pop history. The single earned platinum certification in the UK, spent multiple weeks in the top 10 of the U.S. Billboard Hot 100, and even re-entered the charts in 1997 after being featured in the hit comedy film *The Full Monty*, proving its enduring cross-generational appeal.

    Shortly after the band’s career peak with *You Sexy Thing*, Wilson departed Hot Chocolate to return to his solo work, a project he first launched in the 1960s with a series of singles released through Decca Records. While he put out two full solo albums – 1976’s *I Like Your Style* and 1979’s *Catch One* – neither release gained major commercial traction on global music charts. Beyond his iconic hit *You Sexy Thing*, Hot Chocolate went on to earn further acclaim with other fan-favorite hits including *Every 1’s A Winner* and *So You Win Again*.

    Wilson was one of the last surviving original core members of the iconic group. Lead vocalist and co-founder Errol Brown, who was born in Jamaica, passed away in 2015; at the time, Wilson shared a public tribute to his long-time collaborator on Facebook, writing “Rest in peace, Errol Brown. Heartfelt condolences to your family, friends and all fans.” Original Hot Chocolate guitarist Franklyn Delano De Allie, a Grenada-born musician, died in Bermuda in 2018.

  • Major pipe shipment arrives for Western Water Resilience Improvement Project

    Major pipe shipment arrives for Western Water Resilience Improvement Project

    KINGSTON, Jamaica — On a Wednesday inspection stop in Freeport, Montego Bay, St James, Jamaica’s Minister of Water, Environment and Climate Change Matthew Samuda reviewed pre-deployment potable water pipes and custom fittings earmarked for the groundbreaking first phase of the Western Water Resilience Improvement Project (WWRIP-1), a transformative infrastructure initiative aimed at shoring up water security across western Jamaica.

    According to an official government release published the same day, the first phase of the project carries a $170 million price tag, and centers on the design and installation of 65 kilometers of new ductile-iron potable water transmission mains. These purpose-built pipelines will replace the most vulnerable segments of the region’s aging water network, tackling long-standing systemic issues that have plagued communities and businesses for decades: crumbling outdated infrastructure, sky-high non-revenue water losses that waste millions of gallons of treated water annually, and growing pressures from accelerating climate variability.

    Minister Samuda clarified that the first phase’s $170 million investment is only the initial chunk of the full program, which will total $450 million in infrastructure spending across all phases. He framed the cross-cutting initiative as far more than a standard utility upgrade, calling it a core nation-building effort and a generational investment that will open new avenues for economic activity and entrench long-term social stability for decades to come.

    WWRIP-1 represents a massive technical and logistical undertaking, developed explicitly to lock in long-term water access for the four parishes that make up western Jamaica. The project is designed to boost interconnected hydraulic systems and expand storage capacity, ensuring the region’s water infrastructure can structurally keep pace with the rapid economic and tourism growth that has positioned western Jamaica as a key driver of national economic output.

    Three critical water transmission corridors will be upgraded concurrently under the first phase. The work includes major renovations to the existing Martha Brae and Great River Water Treatment Plants, as well as the construction of a brand-new water treatment facility in Roaring River, Westmoreland.

    The new transmission pipelines installed under the project will range from 500 to 800 millimeters in diameter, a size upgrade that will dramatically increase the transmission capacity of the Northwest Interconnected Water System. To cut down on environmental disruption and reduce the amount of private and public land that needs to be acquired for the work, project planners have intentionally aligned all new pipeline routes with existing highway and road corridors.

    Samuda highlighted that the National Reconstruction and Resilience Authority (NaRRA) is the optimal governing body to deliver the complex project on an accelerated timeline, noting that the authority’s structure allows it to deliver the required infrastructure within the 20-month target delivery window. He stressed that without the expanded executive authority enshrined in NaRRA’s founding legislation, the government would fail to deliver the project Jamaican citizens need, derailing plans to put the country on a sustainable path of growth, help residents achieve their long-term goals, and secure national prosperity.

    The full project is structured as a multi-year works order contract aligned with the Jamaican government’s long-term fiscal planning framework, with the first phase scheduled for completion by the 2026–2027 fiscal period. VINCI Construction Grands Projets is leading implementation on behalf of the National Water Commission (NWC), working in close coordination with the National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA), National Works Agency (NWA), and Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) to safely manage construction activities across high-traffic urban centers and popular tourism zones.

  • ‘Diverse’ new album coming, says D’Yani

    ‘Diverse’ new album coming, says D’Yani

    Eight years in the making, a fresh full-length reggae project from Jamaican recording artist D’Yani is set to hit audiences this August, bringing a distinctly unique sonic shift that marks a departure from the artist’s typical creative output. D’Yani first shared details of the upcoming release during an on-site press interaction at the Reggae in the Gardens event, a highlight of this year’s Barbados Reggae Weekend held this past Sunday.

    Unlike his previous work, which leaned heavily into dancehall rhythms with occasional R&B influences, the artist emphasized that the new album is rooted entirely in core Caribbean reggae sounds spanning multiple subgenres. From upbeat ska stylings to the laid-back, signature grooves of one-drop reggae, the project carries what D’Yani describes as an open, carefree “Live a Little” energy that sets it apart from his earlier catalogue.

    When asked to name a standout personal favorite from his body of work so far, the artist behind the fan-favorite track *Ride It* declined to single out any one release, noting that he holds deep affection for every song that makes up the growing D’Yani discography. Still, he made clear that his upcoming 10-track (unspecified) album carries extra personal weight, calling it a long-gestating project that he has been anticipating for years.

    What makes the release particularly notable is its long development timeline: the project has been eight years in the making, with some tracks written even before D’Yani launched his official professional music career. The artist began writing and creating music while he was still a high school student, meaning some of the album’s cuts are older than his formal career as a performing and recording artist. D’Yani also shared a note of gratitude for the ongoing support he has received from fans and industry peers throughout his journey, saying he remains deeply thankful to be able to pursue music as his life’s work, and is eager for audiences to finally hear the years-in-the-making project.

  • Public urged to avoid non-native monkeys after St Elizabeth sightings

    Public urged to avoid non-native monkeys after St Elizabeth sightings

    KINGSTON, Jamaica — Invasive species have triggered a public safety alert in Jamaica this week, after non-native monkeys were documented and captured in multiple communities across the parish of St Elizabeth, prompting the country’s National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA) to call for extreme public caution.

    Following confirmation of the sightings, NEPA released an official statement identifying the animals as white-faced capuchin monkeys, a species that is not indigenous to Jamaica’s ecosystems. The agency outlined a range of serious risks tied to the monkeys’ unauthorized presence: the primates can carry zoonotic pathogens capable of spreading to humans and domestic livestock, they disrupt local biodiversity by outcompeting native species for resources, and they pose a direct threat to agricultural crop production that supports local livelihoods.

    To prevent accidental exposure or harm, NEPA has issued a clear directive: the public must not approach, handle, or attempt to capture any of the animals on their own. Early reports of sightings and captures have come from six St Elizabeth communities: Lacovia, Elgin, Mountainside, Newell, Hounslow, and Malvern. Viral clips circulating across Jamaican social media platforms show groups of up to three monkeys, with unconfirmed reports indicating at least one animal has already been captured by local residents and may still be held privately.

    In response to the incident, NEPA has assembled a multi-agency response team that includes Jamaica’s Veterinary Services Division, the Jamaica Constabulary Force, and Hope Zoo. The partnership is working to locate all of the unregistered primates, secure them safely, and transfer the animals to quarantine facilities for mandatory veterinary health assessments. Agency representatives have also collaborated directly with local community leaders to coordinate response efforts and spread public safety messaging.

    Beyond the risks posed by the monkeys themselves, NEPA has issued an additional warning about potential illicit activity linked to the sightings. The agency is urging residents to be wary of individuals who falsely claim to represent government authorities in order to gain access to the captured monkeys for illegal private trade. Under Jamaica’s existing wildlife regulations, the importation, private possession, and unlicensed trade of protected wildlife are criminal offenses, most often tied to transnational illicit wildlife trafficking networks. Violations of the Endangered Species (Protection, Conservation and Regulation of Trade) Act carry maximum fines of up to JMD $2 million for convicted offenders.

    NEPA is asking any member of the public with information about the current location of the monkeys, or about how the animals entered Jamaica, to contact the agency directly, reach out to the Veterinary Services Division, or file a report with their local police station.

  • Departing US still owes money, says WHO chief

    Departing US still owes money, says WHO chief

    GENEVA, Switzerland — In a press briefing Wednesday at the United Nations’ global health body, World Health Organization Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus delivered an update on the United States’ planned exit from the agency, confirming that Washington has failed to meet its key financial obligation required to complete the withdrawal process. When former President Donald Trump took office for his second term in January 2025, he formally submitted the mandatory one-year withdrawal notice to the WHO, a step that aligns with the withdrawal conditions the U.S. set when it joined the organization back in 1948. Under the terms of that 1948 accession agreement, two requirements must be fulfilled for the withdrawal to take effect: a 12-month advance notification, and full settlement of all outstanding membership dues. Tedros noted that the first condition has already been satisfied, as the notice period came to an end in January 2025, but the second obligation remains unfulfilled. As of the briefing, the WHO has not received any payment from the U.S. to cover its overdue membership fees for 2024 and 2025, which total approximately $200 million. Tedros added that the WHO has received no official indications from Washington that the payment is forthcoming. For decades, the United States held the position of the WHO’s largest single contributor to the organization’s core budget, accounting for a significant share of its annual operating funds. While the outstanding payment is a formal requirement for withdrawal, Tedros emphasized that the organization’s core concern extends far beyond the unpaid funds. “To be honest, it’s not about the money,” Tedros told reporters from the UN Correspondents Association ACANU. “The issue is health security needs universality and the US, by withdrawing, makes itself unsafe and makes the rest of the world unsafe. So it’s lose-lose.” The WHO chief stressed that the organization’s top priority right now is encouraging the U.S. to reverse its decision and re-engage with global health cooperation. “Where there is a vacuum, the virus wins. It’s as simple as that. It’s global cooperation and solidarity which is the best response,” he said. A formal vote on the U.S. withdrawal will be taken during the annual meeting of the World Health Assembly, the WHO’s supreme decision-making body, which is scheduled to convene in Geneva from May 18 to 23. Currently, the U.S. flag is no longer displayed outside the WHO’s Geneva headquarters, a visible marker of the strained relationship between Washington and the agency. Unlike the U.S.’s 1948 accession terms, the WHO’s formal constitution does not include an explicit provision for member state withdrawal. In January, shortly after the withdrawal notice period expired, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. issued a sharp public rebuke of the WHO, claiming that the agency had disrespected the contributions the U.S. has made to global public health over decades and that “insults to America” had continued up to the present day. The WHO pushed back against these accusations in a direct response, stating that the claims were unfounded and that the reverse of what the U.S. officials claimed is true. Despite the public friction, Tedros confirmed that regular communication channels remain open between the WHO and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. “We keep in touch every now and then,” Tedros told reporters, confirming that he still speaks regularly with Kennedy.

  • Jamaicans encouraged to support local chocolatiers

    Jamaicans encouraged to support local chocolatiers

    KINGSTON, Jamaica — Against the backdrop of a globally renowned fine cocoa sector, Jamaica’s top agricultural commodities regulator is calling on local consumers to prioritize domestic chocolate makers, a move that officials say will drive industry expansion and lift economic fortunes across the island’s cocoa supply chain.

    Chevonne Aschute, acting Senior Director for Cocoa and Coconut at the Jamaica Agricultural Commodities Regulatory Authority (JACRA), laid out the appeal during a recent JIS Think Tank session hosted at the news agency’s television studios in central Kingston. Aschute noted that local cocoa farmers and chocolate producers have significantly scaled up output in recent months, positioning the sector for broader growth if domestic consumer demand matches rising production.

    “At our core, we have a philosophy: we grow what we consume, and we consume what we grow,” Aschute told attendees. “That is why we need to stand behind our local chocolatiers. This collective effort will help our entire nation move forward. Jamaica has a global reputation for producing exceptional, high-quality goods, and our cocoa is no exception — that makes supporting local all the more critical.”

    Jamaica holds a rare, elite status in the global cocoa market: it is one of just a handful of countries globally to earn 100% “fine flavour status” from the International Cocoa Organization (ICCO). This designation is awarded only to cocoa with extraordinary sensory qualities, distinct flavor notes, and superior overall quality that sets it apart from bulk commodity cocoa. As a result, Jamaican cocoa commands a significant price premium over standard bulk cocoa on international markets, creating a built-in competitive advantage for the country’s producers.

    Aschute emphasized that increased local support for domestic chocolate makers will create a ripple benefit throughout the entire supply chain, starting with the smallholder and commercial farmers who grow the cocoa. “When consumers buy from local chocolatiers, producers can pay farmers a higher rate per kilogram or per box of their harvested cocoa,” he explained. “This creates a reciprocal cycle of growth that ultimately improves livelihoods for every person working in the sector, from farm to retail.”

    To maintain the industry’s coveted quality reputation, Aschute confirmed that JACRA continues to partner closely with cocoa farmers across the country. The authority provides guidance, training, and quality control measures to ensure all harvested cocoa pods meet strict international market standards, preserving the fine flavour profile that makes Jamaican cocoa a premium product worldwide.

  • Iran war could push 30 million people into poverty—UN

    Iran war could push 30 million people into poverty—UN

    During a G7 development gathering held in Paris on Wednesday, the top official of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) issued a stark warning: the ongoing US-Israeli military conflict against Iran has triggered skyrocketing energy and fertilizer prices, a global economic shock that risks pushing more than 30 million vulnerable people across the world into poverty.