IRIE FM

Jamaican organizations are being called on to update their crisis communication protocols to address the unique threats posed by artificial intelligence (A.I.) and cyber incidents.

Director of Corporate Communications at the Major Organised Crime & Anti-Corruption Agency (MOCA), Major Basil Jarrett made the appeal at the recent National Police College of Jamaica’s A.I. conference.

He pointed to the growing use of A.I. in fraud and social-engineering schemes by criminals, noting that technology is allowing tasks that once took weeks to be completed in minutes.

As a result, Major Jarrett said businesses and other agencies cannot afford to delay their responses to A.I.’s emerging threat.

Meantime, Major Jarrett underscored the need for small countries like Jamaica to develop strong AI policies.

Opposition Spokesperson on Tourism and Linkages, Andrea Purkiss has lauded the recent partnership between Sandals Resorts and Royal Caribbean.

Royal Caribbean Group disclosed last week that it had made a 50% investment in Sandals.

Ms. Purkiss said, this partnership is more than a business deal; it is a vote of confidence in Jamaica.

Jamaica is pursuing strategic investments in its agricultural sector to support greater efficiency and improve water supply to farmers.

Prime Minister Dr. Andrew Holness said this is vital, given the intensity of drought conditions locally.

He provided the update at the Caribbean Week of Agriculture (CWA) opening ceremony in Trelawny on Sunday.

Dr. Holness said the Government recognizes the importance of reliable irrigation infrastructure to assist farmers amid reduced rainfall.

He explained that the impending development of the Pedro Plains Irrigation Scheme and the construction of three Agro Parks will result in more than 50 per cent of the country’s arable lands being irrigated.

Shock and grief have gripped the Wolmer’s Boys’ High School after a fourth-form student died at the institution yesterday.

It was reported that the student collapsed during class and was rushed to hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.

The incident has left students, teachers and members of the school community shaken, as details surrounding the student’s death remain unclear.

Authorities are expected to investigate the circumstances as the school community mourns the young student.

School Principal Dwight Pennycooke says the days ahead will be difficult for students, teachers and administrative staff, as the school grapples with the sudden loss.

In the meantime, the Wolmer’s joint board of management is urging the public to refrain from speculation or the circulation of unverified information concerning the circumstances of the pupil’s passing.

The board asks that the privacy of the student’s family and the school community be respected during this difficult time.

It also indicated that the school is providing support to affected students and members of staff as they seek to process this tragedy.

The joint board also extends its heartfelt condolences to his parents, relatives, friends, classmates, teachers and all whose lives he has touched.

The Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) says it’s aware of a serious trend involving online threats aimed at Government officials, public servants and members of the general public.

According to the JCF, it takes all cyber-threats and incitements of violence seriously and intensively pursues them.

The Constabulary is reminding citizens that making threats and inciting violence online are serious offences and those responsible may face prosecution.

The police say, as a recent example of this zero-tolerance approach, detectives at the Transnational Crime Investigation Division (TCID) of the Specialised

Investigation Branch arrested and charged a 30-year-old-man following investigations into malicious online content which incites violence against members of the JCF.

The accused is Kevaughn Spencer, otherwise called ‘Asus Major’ and ‘Kevydan Blazing,’ of Madrid Way, Phoenix Vista in Portmore, St. Catherine.

Spencer has been charged with use of a computer for malicious communication and use of audio or audio-visual communication to promote criminal activity.

Reports are that on Friday, September 18, at about 6.18 A.M., a video was posted on a social media site inciting violence against members of the JCF and their families, as well as inciting general disorder and violence toward law enforcement personnel.

An investigation was launched, and TCID personnel, along with the St. Catherine South Operations Support Team, carried out an operation at Spencer’s house on Thursday, September 24, but Spencer was not found.

On Saturday, September 26, about 8:30 P.M., Spencer turned himself in to the police accompanied by his attorney.

Following an interview, he was charged.

Divisional Commander for TCID DSP Troy Daure is urging the public to use digital channels responsibly.

The island’s courts are expected to be impacted again today as attorneys stage a second day of protest against the Firearms Act.

Yesterday, attorneys across the island stayed off the job as they called for amendments to the Act.

The Advocates Association of Jamaica and the Northern Jamaica Law Society are calling for changes to the mandatory minimum sentences under the law.

Prime Minister Dr. Andrew Holness has said the Government and Parliament will at the appropriate time consider recommendations concerning how the Act may be improved.

Speaking with IRIE FM News, President of the Northern Jamaica Law Society, Pearline Bailey explains that for her members, today’s action will target Gun Courts only.

She said persons who pose no threat to society are being criminalised under the Act, and this should not continue.

She was supported by President of the Advocates Association of Jamaica, Tamika Harris who said the attorneys are not calling for the Act to be weakened, but to avoid a child or music producer being criminalized for having imitation firearms.

Attorneys have been protesting, as they lobby for amendments to the Act pointing to the mandatory sentencing provisions and the restrictions placed on judicial discretion.

They have met with Justice Minister Delroy Chuck on the matter.

Dr. Holness commented on the Firearms Act , while addressing the Jamaica Labour Party’s Central Executive yesterday.

The Prime Minister said although his administration is not averse to hearing suggestions about how the law may be improved, its strength against criminals who possess illegal guns must be maintained.

Dr. Holness noted that there is a five-year review period in the Firearms Act which is approaching and at that point the Parliament and the executive will review the legislation and consider how to improve it.

The Prime Minister said the Government does not see the need for an adversarial approach to review the Act.

Meanwhile, the Prime Minister said a combination of measures implemented by the Government has contributed to the major reduction in murders being experienced and an overall improvement in citizen security.

Murders this year are down by 23 percent. This follows a 43 percent decline last year.

Violent crimes in Jamaica have also gone down by double figures this year.

In welcoming the decline, Prime Minister Holness said advocacy for a review of the Firearms Law should not proceed in a manner, where it appears as if gains are being taken for granted.

All is in place for the Inagural Jamaica Ultimate Athlete Challenge scheduled for November 21 at TruJuice Farms in St. Catherine.

Billed as one of Jamaica’s most exciting new sporting adventures, the JUAC is the brainchild of Whycliffe “Dave” Cameron, president of the Jamaica Obstacle Sports Federation and former Cricket West Indies president.

Participants will take on a dynamic 2K obstacle course featuring a series of demanding challenges designed to test different aspects of athletic performance.

The inaugural event will feature challenges including running, crawling, pulling, pushing, backpack carrying, wall climbing, and target-based activities.

The organisers say the event will provide an opportunity for participants to push their physical and mental limits while experiencing the scenic surroundings of TruJuice Farms.

Some early entrants include former West Indies cricketer Tino Best of Barbados and 27 year old Honoka Jinzai, a Modern Pentathlon and Spartan Japanese race champion.

President of Advocates Association of Jamaica, Tamika Harris says several of her members stayed away from all criminal courts, including the gun courts, today.

The withdrawal of services follows last Thursday’s silent protest staged by attorneys in support of amendments to the controversial Firearms Act.

Ms. Harris admits that some attorneys had to attend to matters in the criminal courts where witnesses had to travel far distances for matters.

In the meantime, several Government members have hinted that the Firearms Act may not be revised at this time.

In response, Ms. Harris is calling for the Government to listen carefully to the amendments to the Act being called for by attorneys.

She stresses that the attorneys are not calling for the Act to be weakened, but to avoid a child or music producer being criminalized for having imitation firearms.

Meanwhile, president of the Northern Jamaica Law Society, Perline Bailey says defence attorneys from her group withdrew their services from criminal courts today.

The group is made up of attorneys across St. Ann, St. Mary and Portland.

Speaking with IRIE FM News, Ms. Bailey explains that tomorrow’s action will target gun courts only.

Ms. Bailey says the gun law requires significant amendments, especially as it relates to reinstating the judge’s discretion to evaluate each case on its own merit.

She says other amendments should ensure children and their parents are not criminalized.

In the meantime, Ms. Bailey explains that persons who pose no threat to society are being criminalized under the Act, and this should not continue.

Forty-three Ghanaian specialist nurses arrived in the country this morning to strengthen the country’s healthcare workforce and support the delivery of quality healthcare services.

Their arrival follows the signing of a four-year bilateral health cooperation agreement between both countries earlier this year, which targets 400 healthcare workers joining the healthcare system in Jamaica.

The specialist nurses will be assigned to several public hospitals across the island with majority being assigned to the Western Regional Health Authority which manages health facilities in St. James, Westmoreland, Trelawny and Hanover and the South East Regional Health Authority which oversees Kingston and St. Andrew, St. Thomas and St. Catherine.

The nurses, who are specialist in various areas, including, critical care, paediatrics, operating theatre, nurse/midwife, emergency, oncology and mental health/psychiatric, will also serve in the other two health regions and at the University Hospital of the West Indies (UHWI).

Speaking on the arrival of the nurses, Minister of Health Dr. Christopher Tufton said the arrival of this first cohort marks an important step in strengthening Jamaica’s healthcare workforce.

Dr. Tufton said other partnerships are being sought to help fill gaps in the health sector, noting that the Ministry has already signed several agreements, including one with Nigeria.