NEWS STORIES

St Catherine on lockdown after jump in COVID-19 cases; PM says don't panic | 4/14/2020 6:57 pm

KINGSTON, Jamaica — Prime Minister Andrew Holness has announced a lockdown of the parish of St Catherine after several cases of COVID-19 were confirmed in the area today. Minister of Health and Wellness Dr Christopher Tufton reported that there were 32 new cases of COVID-19 bringing the country's total number of cases to 105. The majority of the new cases are associated with a business processing outsourcing (BPO) entity in St Catherine.  Holness said the lockdown will start at 5:00 am o More

ONLINE VIDEO: Blatant disregard for social distancing and gathering rules | 4/10/2020 10:20 pm

KINGSTON, Jamaica – With the country under curfew from 3:00 pm today (Friday, April 10), residents of certain West Kingston communities saw it fit to defy the regulations of social distancing and social gathering.In this video provided by an OBSERVER ONLINE reader, residents are seen gathering close to each other and in some cases in groups of more than 10 people.Watch the video and see for yourselves. More

CRUNCH TIME | 3/24/2020 6:05 am

PRIME Minister Andrew Holness last evening put the country on high alert, announcing a slew of forceful measures expected to reduce the impact of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) on the population, with predictions of a surge in community transmission in the coming weeks. Addressing journalists at a press conference at Jamaica House in St Andrew, Holness noted that the country was “rapidly approaching” the fourth phase of the pandemic, in which the virus spreads but the sour More

Health professionals being equipped to support people affected by depression | 1/5/2020 1:52 pm

KINGSTON, Jamaica— Parish Psychiatrist for Kingston and St Andrew, Dr Craig Radlein says health professionals and other personnel are being equipped, to provide the necessary support to people suffering from depression and anxiety. He noted that both conditions are prevalent in Jamaica, adding that people should become more sensitised to it.  “It is very serious, it is debilitating, it robs persons of their productive capacity and it robs society of its potential to earn and develo More

Frome on high! | 10/9/2019 7:00 pm

FROME, Westmoreland - The campus and community of Frome Technical High School has been buzzing since last weekend's heroics of former student athletes Danniel Thomas-Dodd and Rushell Clayton at the 17th IAAF World Championships in Doha, Qatar. Thomas-Dodd and Clayton, who both previously represented the western Westmoreland-based school in track and field, were part of the Jamaican team that won 12 medals — three gold, five silver and four bronze — the second-best haul after the 13 More

Track leaves Qatar still looking for a new star | 10/7/2019 11:20 pm

DOHA, Qatar (AP) — If the goal of this year's track and field world championships was to find a fresh face, a vibrant personality, a one-of a-kind talent to replace the mile-wide void left by Usain Bolt's absence, then consider it still a work in progress. The 10-day run in the desert had its moments — a world record in the 400-metre hurdles , a hometown high jumper taking gold, female sprinters and hurdlers striking a blow for new moms everywhere. But the main message coming out of More

Aim for more | 10/8/2019 2:20 am

DOHA, Qatar — Jamaica's performance at the IAAF World Athletics Championships was a success, says Head Coach Maurice Wilson. But he also believes there are certain aspects to be tweaked which could bring further glory. Jamaica won 12 medals in Doha — the joint second best behind the 13 won at the 2009 edition in Berlin on the back of the incomparable Usain Bolt's three gold. This 12-medal achievement is deemed extra special because it has come from a balanced team effort across mor More

Meet the Ricketts | 10/7/2019 8:50 pm

DOHA, Qatar — One could call it a marriage made in heaven, but a connection suited for the track. Kerry-Lee Ricketts and Shanieka Ricketts epitomise just that. It's a bond between coach and athlete that has helped the change from feeling like a family to actually being a family. Over the years, a number of athletes have seen relationships with their coaches turn from platonic to romantic, either to success or dire failure. Thankfully for the Ricketts, they have leaped into the realms o More

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