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.
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Holness calls for global war on gangs
At the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness highlighted the escalating crisis in Haiti as a stark reminder of the pervasive threat posed by transnational criminal networks. Holness, who also chairs the 15-member Caribbean Community (Caricom), emphasized that gangs have evolved into global syndicates with resources comparable to nation-states, necessitating a coordinated international response akin to the global war on terrorism. He underscored the Caribbean’s regional security mechanisms but stressed that these efforts alone are insufficient to counter the scale of the threat. Holness called for a united global front to dismantle these networks, urging member states to implement the UN Programme of Action on Small Arms and Light Weapons and enhance intelligence sharing, joint operations, and technical assistance. He also condemned the October 7, 2023, attack on Israel and advocated for a diplomatic resolution to the conflict, supporting a ceasefire and the release of hostages. Holness further addressed Haiti’s dire security situation, urging the international community to support the Multinational Security Support Mission (MSS) and invest in Haiti’s governance and infrastructure. He acknowledged the need for UN reform, particularly through the UN80 Initiative, to address global challenges like climate change, pandemics, and poverty. Holness highlighted Jamaica’s commitment to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050 and called for increased climate finance for Small Island Developing States (SIDS), advocating for innovative financing mechanisms such as debt-for-climate swaps. He concluded by reaffirming Jamaica’s dedication to multilateralism and its vision of a more equitable and responsive global system.
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Aubyn Foundation gifts scholarships to deserving students
The Aubyn Foundation has once again demonstrated its commitment to fostering education and sustainable development by sponsoring scholarships for four deserving students at the Morgan’s Family Foundation back-to-school event on August 17 in Curatoe Hill, Clarendon. Each student received $50,000 to support their academic pursuits. The foundation’s chairman, Aubyn Henry, and CEO Toni-Ann Gayle were present to personally deliver the awards.
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Supreme Court allows Trump admin freeze of $4b in foreign aid
In a significant development, the US Supreme Court has granted the Trump administration’s request to temporarily halt the disbursement of over $4 billion in foreign aid funds appropriated by Congress. The decision, issued on Friday, underscores the ongoing tension between the Executive and Legislative branches over the control of federal spending. The conservative-majority court emphasized that the president’s authority in foreign affairs appears to outweigh the potential harm to the intended recipients of the aid. However, the court clarified that this emergency order does not represent a final ruling on the case’s merits but merely allows for a temporary freeze while the matter is litigated in lower courts. The three liberal justices dissented, with Justice Elena Kagan arguing that the decision undermines the separation of powers by enabling the Executive branch to unilaterally withhold funds allocated by Congress. Kagan highlighted the lack of thorough deliberation, noting that the order was issued without extensive briefing, oral arguments, or conference discussions. The funds in question are part of USAID’s global humanitarian efforts, which support health and emergency programs in approximately 120 countries. Since taking office, President Trump has sought to exert greater control over federal spending, even enlisting billionaire Elon Musk to assist in downsizing government operations. This case raises critical questions about the balance of power between the Executive and Congress in managing public expenditures.
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Argentine victims of live-streamed murder laid to rest on eve of protest
BUENOS AIRES, Argentina — The nation of Argentina is reeling in shock and grief after the brutal torture and murder of two young women and a teenage girl, whose deaths were live-streamed on Instagram. The victims, identified as 20-year-old cousins Morena Verdi and Brenda Del Castillo, and 15-year-old Lara Gutierrez, were laid to rest on Friday in separate ceremonies attended by mourning relatives and community members. Their bodies were discovered buried in the yard of a house in a southern suburb of Buenos Aires, five days after they went missing. The crime, linked to narco activity, has sparked widespread outrage and calls for justice. Investigators revealed that the victims were lured into a van under the pretense of attending a party, only to be subjected to horrific violence as a warning to others. The live-streamed footage, viewed by 45 members of a private Instagram account, depicted the gang leader declaring, “This is what happens to those who steal drugs from me.” Argentine media reported that the victims endured unimaginable torture, including the removal of fingers and nails, beatings, and suffocation. Rights groups have organized nationwide protests under the slogan, “There are no good or bad victims, only femicides,” emphasizing the need to address gender-based violence regardless of the victims’ backgrounds. Maria Eugenia Luduena, director of the NGO Presentes, highlighted the socio-economic vulnerabilities that often push women into dangerous situations, exacerbated by Argentina’s ongoing economic crisis. The suspected gang leader, known as “Little J” or “Julito,” remains at large, while the families of the victims have reportedly received death threats, prompting calls for police protection. The case has drawn condemnation from political, cultural, and social leaders, who are demanding an end to femicide and systemic violence against women.
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Vybz Kartel to feature at Drake’s birthday shows in Toronto
Jamaican dancehall legend Vybz Kartel is poised to make a triumphant return to the stage in Toronto, Canada, alongside Canadian rap superstar Drake. This highly anticipated event marks Kartel’s first performance in Canada since his release from prison in 2024. The two-night concert, scheduled for October 26 and 27, 2025, will coincide with Drake’s birthday celebrations, which begin on October 24. Drake personally announced the collaboration via Instagram, sharing, “Di teacha live in Toronto for the first time ever champagne bday celebrations.” This announcement comes on the heels of Kartel’s successful concert series across the Caribbean, North America, and Europe, solidifying his status as a global dancehall icon. Fans are eagerly awaiting this historic collaboration, which promises to be a highlight of the year.
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59 seniors graduate from National Digital Literacy programme
KINGSTON, Jamaica – In a landmark event marking Senior Citizens Month 2025, 59 senior citizens graduated from the Digital Literacy Programme, a collaborative initiative by the National Council for Senior Citizens (NCSC) and the HEART/NSTA Trust. The programme, designed to empower older Jamaicans with essential digital skills, underscores the government’s commitment to fostering a digitally inclusive society. The graduation ceremony, themed “Respect, Protect, Empower, Connect,” celebrated the participants’ achievements and highlighted their transformative journey into the digital age. Minister of Labour and Social Security Pearnel Charles Jr, addressing the graduates, praised their resilience and adaptability, stating, “This proves that age is no barrier to learning or growth.” He emphasized the practical applications of their newfound skills, from reconnecting with family abroad to accessing online health and banking services. The programme, which trains seniors in using smartphones, tablets, and computers, aims to bridge the digital divide and ensure no senior is left behind in Jamaica’s rapidly evolving technological landscape. Dr. Taneisha Ingleton and her team were commended for their pivotal role in expanding digital inclusion opportunities. Minister Charles Jr reaffirmed the government’s dedication to enhancing digital equity through expanded training programmes, improved internet connectivity, and community support. He encouraged families to assist their senior members in embracing technology, emphasizing, “It’s never too late to start this journey.”