IRIE FM

The Independent Commission of investigations (INDECOM) says several matters ruled for charge by the Director of Public Prosecutions will be placed before the court, in short order. 

Commissioner of INDECOM Hugh Faulkner made the statement in a press release yesterday noting that this will add to the 70 cases which are already in court.

According to Commissioner Faulkner, this highlights the work being done by INDECOM amid a number of fatal shooting incidents since the start of the year. 

The Commissioner says 221 persons have been killed during alleged confrontations with the police, since January.

Foreign Affairs Minister Kamina Johnson Smith is leading a delegation to represent Jamaica at the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York in the United States. 

Nearly 130 Heads of State and Governments are slated to deliver a message from their nation to the world.

State Minister in the Office of the Prime Minister, Senator Abka Fitz-Henley said Dr. Andrew Holness is not expected to attend the annual week-long event. 

Meanwhile, Mrs. Johnson Smith said yesterday’s engagements and discussions focused on several matters including the continued support for crisis-riddled Haiti. 

She said there were also discussions about the approach to geopolitical issues and peace in the region.

The 6th Annual International Jamaica Backgammon Tournament was held over the weekend at the Bamboo Blu in Mammee Bay, St. Ann.

Forty five players from eight countries participated in the mind sport which saw Avi Cohen from Miami, coming out the victor in the main tournament defeating Jamaican Joey Issa in the final 11-4.

Cohen, is also Producer of the Miami Open Backgammon Championship and the founder of Backgammon Connection.

Meantime, Issa admitted things didn’t connect for him in the end despite playing well.

Several highly ranked players were in the tournament from as far as Japan and as close as the Bahamas.

The world’s number four player as well as a former world champion participated but did not make it to the finals.

Issa who hosted the tournament has built a world class facility to host the tournament where players can enjoy a swim between matches.

President of Jamaica Chamber of Commerce (JCC) Emile Leiba says he’s looking forward to the work to be carried out by the National Reconstruction and Resilience Authority (NaRRa) to rebuild Jamaica. 

This following last year’s devastating impact caused by Hurricane Melissa.  

He was speaking at the JCC’s Annual General Meeting this morning during which he was returned as president for the 2026-2027 period. 

Leiba, who is an attorney, was the only nominee for the post. 

He notes the JCC will also continue to review NaRRa’s implementation. 

Reflecting on his first stint as JCC President for the 2025-2026 period, Mr. Leiba notes that much of it focused on hurricane recovery. 

He says the JCC partnered with private and public sector entities to both contribute meaningfully to recovery efforts.

The Fi We Children Foundation is encouraging dialogue and non-violence among students through its Mek Wi Reason: Alternative Dispute Resolution in schools project. 

The initiative is being revived following recent incidents involving school children.

These include the stabbing of a Jamaica College student in Half Way Tree, St. Andrew. 

The Foundation says the ‘Mek Wi Reason’ project allows for direct intervention with students to strengthen their conflict resolution skills and promote a culture of dialogue, respect and non-violence. 

Project Officer, Tasheera Thompson says the initiative has been implemented in partnership with key stakeholders including the Child Protection and Family Services Agency, the Ministry of National Security and Peace and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).

The Foundation maintains that fostering peaceful conflict resolution among children requires a collaborative approach involving schools, families, communities and Government agencies. 

It remains committed to empowering young people with the skills necessary to resolve disputes constructively and contribute to safer school environments.

The Westmoreland Police are reporting that while major crimes are less likely to happen in rural areas, they remain a challenge in informal or squatter settlements. 

Commanding Officer, Superintendent Othniel Dobson made the disclosure during the Constabulary’s Force4Good podcast at the weekend. 

His statement comes as he emphasised the strategies implemented by the  Westmoreland Police to reduce major crimes. 

According to the Commanding Officer, these strategies include knowing the various communities, the types of people who settle in the space and the kinds of economies that thrive there. 

Superintendent Dobson said every effort is being made to keep crime rates low.

Former Reggae Boyz assistant coach Merron Gordon, has joined the Trinidad and Tobago men’s national team staff as assistant coach.

Gordon joins the team as the twin island republic prepares for the Concacaf Nations league encounter against Haiti at Sabina park on Thursday.

Gordon said he does not see an issue or any bad blood with the Jamaican federation arising out of his decision.

“An unfortunate waste of the court’s time.”

That is the reaction from Chief of Medical Staff at the University Hospital of the West Indies, Dr. Carl Bruce after he was acquitted of assault charges in the St. Andrew Parish Court yesterday.

Dr. Bruce, who is also a neurosurgeon, was accused of attacking colleague, Dr. Roger Hunter, while preparing for surgery at the hospital in 2007.

The allegations came to the fore in 2024, with Dr. Bruce immediately claiming innocence.

The not guilty verdict was handed down after the judge outlined a number of issues with the allegations put forward by Dr. Hunter.

Dr. Bruce said it is unfortunate that the court had to address an allegation which had no merit.

He expressed relief that the matter is over.

Minister of Works Robert Morgan says Jamaica’s road quality ranking has climbed to a record 57 out of 137 countries on the World Economic Forum’s Global Competitiveness Report.

Morgan was reacting to comments by People’s National Party President Mark Golding about the state of the island’s roadways, at the PNP annual conference in Westmoreland.

In a press release yesterday, Mr. Morgan said Jamaica’s ranking under a previous PNP administration, between 2012 and 2014, was 85.

He said Jamaica’s ranking has improved due to targeted capital works under the governing Jamaica Labour Party.

The Jamaica Medical Doctors’ Association (JMDA) has amplified its call for the Industrial Disputes Tribunal (IDT) to rule on the matter of overtime payments and the implementation of allowances due to doctors.

This as several members gathered yesterday in the vicinity of the IDT’s office in a peaceful protest to highlight their grouse.

The doctors are becoming increasingly restive over the protracted delay by the IDT in settling the matter.

JMDA President, Dr. Jubilee Brown-Service said medical doctors can no longer bear the frustration caused by the delay.

Dr. Brown-Service said she cannot comment on whether the doctors will take further action at this time.

In a statement issued in August, the JMDA said it concluded its case against the Government before the IDT on April 1, and is yet to receive the tribunal’s decisions.

The Association said then that doctors are mandated to work overtime in order to maintain essential services throughout the public health system.

However, the compensation they currently receive remains based on a contract that expired in 2021.

The Association lamented that the rates and conditions governing this compulsory overtime have not been updated.

The JMDA noted that the dispute also concerns the unilateral denial by the Finance Ministry, since 2023, of an allowance to more than 700 doctors.