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KINGSTON, Jamaica — Celebrated Jamaican sprinter Asafa Powell and his wife, Ghanaian model Alyshia Powell, have joyfully announced the birth of their third child. The couple shared the exciting news on their YouTube channel, The Powells, through a heartfelt video titled ‘The Day We Have Been Waiting For, Baby Number Three.’ While the gender of the newborn remains undisclosed, the child joins their two older brothers, Azhaf Powell and Amieke Powell. The Powells, known for their vibrant social media presence, have garnered widespread attention and warm congratulations from fans and followers worldwide. This new addition marks another milestone in their journey as a family, further solidifying their bond and shared happiness.

On September 28, VP Records in Queens, New York, a hub for dancehall music, hosted the second edition of ‘Poetry: Echoes of Expression,’ an event curated by Richie Innocent. The gathering served as a platform to showcase the works of poets and authors, drawing a larger audience than its debut. Richie Innocent, in an interview with Observer Online, highlighted the event’s success, emphasizing its familial and communal atmosphere at the VP Records Cultural Centre. He described the evening as both historical and revelatory. Performers included Richie Innocent, Ras Igus, Marj Da Poet, Marcia Jackson, Amaziyah The Great, and American Blaq Ice, representing various regions of the Jamaican diaspora. Author Sharon Gordon also participated, reading excerpts from her acclaimed debut book, ‘Sheribaby,’ released in May. Pat Chin, the matriarch of VP Records, who recently celebrated her 88th birthday, attended the event and spoke about the cultural significance of poetry in Jamaica. Richie Innocent closed the show with performances of his songs, including ‘Babylon Slaves’ and ‘The Passover.’ Despite minor technical issues, he expressed optimism for the event’s future, envisioning its growth and longevity, with hopes of celebrating its 10th anniversary.

KINGSTON, Jamaica — Odiyo, the Caribbean’s trailblazing digital audiobook platform, has struck a landmark deal to acquire audio rights to five distinguished titles from the renowned independent publisher Akashic Books. This collaboration will breathe new life into works by some of the most influential voices in Caribbean and diaspora literature, including two novels by the late Jamaican literary icon Anthony Winkler. The selected titles are: *The Tower of the Antilles* by Achy Obejas, *My Own Dear People* by Dwight Thompson, *God Carlos* by Anthony Winkler, *The Family Mansion* by Anthony Winkler, and *Watch Out for Falling Iguanas* by Edwidge Danticat. Johnny Temple, CEO of Akashic Books, expressed enthusiasm for the partnership, stating, ‘We are thrilled to see these extraordinary works find new life in audio through Odiyo. The Caribbean’s literary tradition is rich, diverse, and deserving of wider access. Odiyo’s commitment to amplifying regional voices makes them the perfect partner for these titles.’ Anthony Winkler, celebrated for his globally acclaimed novel *The Lunatic*, remains a cherished figure in Jamaican literature. This agreement ensures that *God Carlos* and *The Family Mansion* will be available in audio for the first time, preserving Winkler’s signature wit, historical depth, and uniquely Jamaican narrative style for future generations. Lesley-Ann Wanliss, Odiyo’s head of acquisitions, emphasized the cultural significance of the deal, noting, ‘These are important works, not just for their literary merit, but for the way they capture and preserve the Caribbean’s voice and history. This partnership began through our shared mission with Akashic Books to make underrepresented stories accessible to more listeners. For Odiyo users, it means the ability to experience these narratives in an intimate and dynamic way, whether they’re discovering them for the first time or revisiting them in a new format.’ This acquisition underscores Odiyo’s ongoing efforts to expand its curated collection of Caribbean literature in audio form, solidifying its position as a global advocate for regional storytelling.