In case you missed it, here are OBSERVER ONLINE’s top stories for today:1. Klansman gangsters ramp up extortion to fund Blackman’s defence — police2. Cables damaged during Mandela roadwork affect NCB3. Juliet Holness encourages Diaspora to invest more in national development

The security forces operating in the St Catherine North Police Division, which is currently under a state of emergency (SOE), are urging residents to resist extortion attempts by individuals linked to arrested Klansman gang leader, Andre “Blackman” Bryan.

The National Commercial Bank (NCB) this morning issued an apology to customers who were inconvenienced last Friday after its network went down.

Member of Parliament for East Rural St Andrew, Juliet Holness, is encouraging the Jamaican Diaspora to assist more in national development, especially through investments in the education system.4. GoFundMe launched for J’can who died in Miami bridge collapse5. Doctor to appeal criminal sentence for insurance fraud6. Jamaica continues discussion to repurchase shares in Petrojam7. UWI wants ‘performing assets’ to help reduce multi-million dollar arrears8. Caribbean special tactics centre opens at Moneague training camp9. Kevona Davis out of Carifta Games10. $11B invested to improve border security

A GoFundMe campaign has been launched to help with the funeral expenses of 37-year-old Navaro Brown, one of the six people who died in the Miami bridge collapse earlier this month.

The medical doctor, who was sentenced to 12 months imprisonment last month after he pleaded guilty to defrauding an insurance company over $5 million, was granted bail pending his appeal.

Minister of Science, Energy and Technology, Dr Andrew Wheatley, says a team from Venezuela is expected to visit the island shortly to continue discussions on the proposal for Jamaica to repurchase Venezuela’s 49 per cent shareholding in Petrojam Limited.

The University of the West Indies (UWI) is urging Caribbean governments to provide the regional tertiary institution “with performing assets” as it seeks to recover more than US$200 million in outstanding debt.

The Caribbean Special Tactics Centre (CSTC) was officially opened at the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) Moneague Training Camp, in St Ann, on Monday.

Jamaican prodigy Kevona Davis of champions Edwin Allen High has been withdrawn from the Carifta Games this weekend because of a sore hamstring.

The Government has invested $11 billion to improve border security as part of its crime reduction strategy.