KINGSTON, Jamaica—The UNESCO Information For All Programme (IFAP) Working Group on Information Accessibility (WGIA) is gearing up to host its sixth annual online conference this Sunday, marking the International Day for Universal Access to Information (IDUAI). This year’s event, themed ‘AI Access in Focus,’ is a collaborative effort involving the College of Social Sciences and Humanities at the University of Alberta in Canada, the Broadcasting Commission of Jamaica, and UNESCO’s Caribbean and Southern Africa offices. The conference aims to explore the dual potential of artificial intelligence (AI) as both a tool for empowerment and a source of exclusion. Cordel Green, executive director of the Broadcasting Commission of Jamaica and vice-chair of UNESCO IFAP/WGIA, emphasized that the future of AI must be shaped collectively, stating, ‘From young innovators to seasoned policymakers, the AI4IA Conference reminds us that the future of AI cannot be left to chance or a select few. It must be shaped by everyone, for everyone.’ The event will feature over 70 speakers from diverse backgrounds, including teenage innovators from Chile, a musical prodigy from India, and a legal expert from Denmark. Discussions will address critical issues such as biased algorithms, opaque AI systems, and the technology’s potential to enhance education, support persons with disabilities, preserve cultural heritage, and empower communities. The conference will include a fireside chat and live interactive sessions, allowing participants to engage directly with experts. Free and open to all, the event underscores the belief that technology should foster equity, inclusion, and human dignity. Registration is available at https://ai4iaconference.com/.
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Fearing US invasion, Venezuela to hold emergency drills
Venezuela is bracing for heightened tensions as the United States deploys military forces near its coastline, raising fears of a potential invasion. In response, President Nicolas Maduro has announced nationwide disaster preparedness drills scheduled for Saturday, while considering invoking emergency powers to address the escalating situation. The drills, set to begin at 9:00 AM local time, aim to test the population’s readiness for both natural disasters and armed conflicts, with schools and hospitals participating in the exercise. Maduro’s call for vigilance comes amidst a series of earth tremors that rattled the country’s western region earlier this week, including a 6.3 magnitude quake that, fortunately, caused no major damage or casualties. The US military presence, which includes eight warships and a nuclear-powered submarine, is part of President Donald Trump’s campaign against drug trafficking. However, Maduro accuses Washington of using this as a pretext for regime change, citing recent US strikes on suspected Venezuelan drug boats that resulted in over a dozen deaths—actions condemned by UN experts as “extrajudicial executions.” In response to the perceived threat, thousands of Venezuelans have joined civilian militias, undergoing weapons training to bolster the nation’s defenses. Maduro has also hinted at invoking a state of “external commotion,” a constitutional provision that would grant the government emergency powers to bypass parliament, suspend constitutional guarantees, and deploy the military. While no decree has been issued yet, rights groups express concerns that such measures could further restrict freedoms of assembly, movement, and expression. The situation has drawn international attention, with Colombian President Gustavo Petro calling for a criminal investigation into Trump’s actions during the UN General Assembly this week.
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19 categories to be contested at Reggae North Music Awards on Sunday
The second edition of the Reggae North Music Awards (RNMA) is set to take place on September 28 at the Rose Theatre in Brampton, Ontario, Canada. This year’s event will feature 19 categories, including Top Male Vocalist, Top Album/EP of the Year, and Top Entertainer of the Year. The awards were established by veteran singer Tony Anthony in response to the temporary removal of the reggae category from the Juno Awards in 2025, highlighting the need for a dedicated platform to honor Canadian reggae artists. Anthony emphasized the historical lack of recognition for reggae and dancehall in Canada, stating that the RNMA fills this gap by celebrating the genre’s rich heritage and contemporary talent. Notably, multiple Juno reggae winner Exco Levi leads the nominations with five nods, while Ammoye has secured three nominations. A new category, Top Club/Party Reggae Dancehall DJ, has been introduced this year. Additionally, the event will honor Living Legends, including singer Nana McLean and sound system operator Carl ‘Grandmaster Rosa’ Green, recognizing their contributions to the Canadian reggae scene. The awards also aim to preserve the genre’s history, acknowledging the influence of pioneers who shaped the vibrant Toronto reggae scene during the 1970s and 1980s. This legacy is further explored in the 2024 documentary *Sounds & Pressure: Reggae in A Foreign Land* by Chris Flanagan and Graeme Mathieson.
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33 young people benefit from AHF summer programme
KINGSTON, Jamaica — The AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) Jamaica has successfully concluded its sixth annual summer employment and training initiative, benefiting 33 young participants with scholarships totaling $5.9 million. The four-week program, conducted in collaboration with the Institute of Law and Economics (ILE), provided comprehensive training and internship opportunities aimed at fostering workplace readiness, financial literacy, leadership, entrepreneurship, and sexual and reproductive health awareness.
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UK nursery worker jailed for abusing 21 babies
A London-based nursery worker, Roksana Lecka, 22, has been sentenced to eight years in prison for a series of ‘gratuitous’ and ‘sadistic’ assaults on infants under her care. The shocking case, which came to light in June 2024, involved multiple acts of violence against 21 babies at two nurseries where Lecka was employed. Among the incidents, she was found to have repeatedly kicked a young boy in the face, pinched, slapped, and even toppled children headfirst into their cots. Judge Sarah Plaschkes described Lecka’s actions as deliberate and cruel, often targeting children who were peacefully occupied. Lecka admitted to seven counts of cruelty to a person under 16 and was convicted of an additional 14 counts following a trial. She was acquitted of three further charges. The abuse was uncovered after nursery CCTV footage captured her mistreating the children, prompting police involvement. Victim impact statements from parents revealed the profound emotional toll the attacks had taken, with one mother describing the infants as ‘innocent, vulnerable, and helpless.’ Lecka, who blamed her actions on cannabis addiction, apologized in a letter to the court, claiming the drug had altered her personality. However, her remorse did little to mitigate the severity of her crimes, as the judge emphasized the ‘sadistic’ nature of her conduct.
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Court of Appeal records 560 per cent judgment delivery rate in 2024
KINGSTON, Jamaica — The Jamaican Court of Appeal has achieved an unprecedented judgment delivery rate of 560% in 2024, far surpassing international standards. This remarkable milestone was announced by Justice of Appeal Paulette Williams during the opening of the Michaelmas Term on September 22 in Kingston. Williams explained that for every 10 newly reserved judgments, approximately 56 were delivered, significantly exceeding the global benchmark of 100%.
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Bellevue Hospital CEO cops top honour at Australian Mental Health Foundation awards
KINGSTON, Jamaica — Suzette Buchanan, CEO of Bellevue Hospital, has been awarded the prestigious title of International Mental Health Advocate of the Year by the Mental Health Foundation Australia (MHFA). Buchanan will travel to Melbourne on October 4 to receive the accolade at the 8th Annual Australian Mental Health Awards, coinciding with Australia’s National Multicultural Mental Health Month. She is among six honorees recognized this year for their exceptional contributions to mental health awareness and stigma reduction. Buchanan’s leadership at Bellevue Hospital and her role as host of the groundbreaking mental health television series *MindSet* were key factors in her selection. With over 14 years of experience in health, media, and public service governance, Buchanan has championed national reforms and combatted mental health stigma through both policy and storytelling. A Harvard-trained Mental Health Leadership graduate, she combines strategic vision with personal experience and empathy, ensuring her work prioritizes individuals and communities. “This award is deeply personal. My work at Bellevue, the creation of *MindSet*, and supporting my daughter living with bipolar disorder have driven my mission to break the silence and dismantle stigma,” Buchanan shared. She dedicated the honor to individuals and families facing mental health challenges, including the over 400 unsupported social cases at Bellevue Hospital, reaffirming her commitment to advocacy, awareness, and healing. Buchanan’s recognition highlights Jamaica’s expanding influence in global mental health advocacy, positioning the nation as a key contributor to international discussions on care, resilience, and stigma reduction. The Mental Health Foundation Australia, the country’s oldest mental health association, celebrates innovative and impactful leadership in mental health through its awards, emphasizing the value of cross-cultural collaboration and diverse perspectives in shaping global mental health strategies.
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Organisations urged to take immediate steps to strengthen their cybersecurity defences
KINGSTON, Jamaica — Lieutenant Colonel (Retired) Godphey Sterling, Director of the Cyber Incident Response Team (CIRT) Division, has issued a stark warning to Jamaican organizations, urging them to bolster their cybersecurity measures without delay. In a recent interview with JIS News, Sterling emphasized the critical importance of vulnerability mitigation, breach data remediation, and incident reporting to protect the nation’s digital infrastructure.
Sterling stressed the need for proactive measures, stating, ‘We must address vulnerabilities before they cause irreversible harm. System administrators, boards, and management must focus on how systems are acquired, updated, maintained, and decommissioned.’ He highlighted the risks posed by everyday devices, such as network-connected printers, which are often discarded without proper data sanitization, leaving sensitive information exposed to exploitation.
The director also revealed alarming statistics, noting that over 70% of ransomware attacks in 2023 were executed through compromised privileged accounts, which were then used to infiltrate third-party systems and re-enter core networks. Sterling urged organizations to act swiftly when data breaches occur, whether through internal networks or third-party channels. While removing compromised data from the deep and dark web may be costly, he advised essential steps such as password changes and account deletions to mitigate risks.
Sterling also emphasized the importance of reporting incidents to the CIRT Division, stating, ‘We cannot manage what we cannot measure. Reporting is crucial for us to extract information from your networks.’ He assured that reporting can be done securely and anonymously.
The CIRT Division remains committed to fostering a resilient cybersecurity ecosystem in Jamaica, working tirelessly to safeguard the nation’s digital landscape.
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Windies to host Sri Lanka in international series next year
KINGSTON, Jamaica — Cricket enthusiasts in Jamaica have reason to celebrate as international cricket makes a triumphant return to the island next summer. The West Indies will face Sri Lanka in two highly anticipated limited-overs series at the iconic Sabina Park. Dr. Donovan Bennett, president of the Jamaica Cricket Association (JCA), confirmed to Observer Online that the Sri Lankan team is scheduled to arrive on June 3 for a series of three One-Day Internationals (ODIs) and three T20 matches against the Windies. This marks Jamaica’s fourth international cricket tour in two years, following successful series against South Africa, Bangladesh in 2024, and Australia earlier this year. Notably, this will be the first ODI series hosted at Sabina Park since 2022 and only the second in the past nine years. Additionally, it will be a historic moment as Sri Lanka has never played a T20 series in Kingston, with their last ODI appearance on the island dating back to a tri-nation series involving the Windies and India in 2013.
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Queens-based poetry event set for September 28
NEW YORK, United States — The highly anticipated second edition of ‘Poetry: Echoes of Expression’ is set to unfold on September 28 at VP Records’ headquarters in Queens, New York. Curated by the celebrated artist Richie Innocent, the event promises an evening of cultural enrichment through poetry and literary performances.