IRIE FM

The St James Police say  measures are in place to maintain a smooth flow of traffic and ensure public safety as schools reopen today. 

In an interview with IRIE FM News Operations Officer for the St. James Division, Deputy Superintendent  Rodrick Reid said teams were out across the parish from as early as 3:00 a.m. 

He informed that officers have been positioned at major intersections where heavy traffic is anticipated to prevent congestion and ensure free movement.

Meanwhile, DSP Reid is also appealing to drivers to look out for students traversing the roadways especially younger children who will be attending school for the first time.

The Island Traffic Authority (ITA) will be building out its online systems to ensure that persons can better provide proof that their traffic tickets were paid.

The assurance follows concerns raised by President of the All Voice Route Taxi Association, Lorraine Finnikin, about traffic tickets reflected in the system as being unpaid.

This despite motorists having receipts showing that payments were made.

Speaking at a virtual meeting of the Transport Operators Development and Sustainable Services (TODSS), Finnikin called on newly appointed Director General of the ITA, Lieutenant Colonel Sheldon Bryan to address the matter.

Responding to the concerns, Lieutenant Colonel Bryan committed to fixing these discrepancies.

He said if discrepancies with the payment of traffic tickets are not addressed, the demerit points system will be adversely impacted.

State Minister in the Office of the Prime Minister Senator Abka Fitz-Henley says a conversation about the welfare of media practitioners would be a fitting part of the legacy of veteran broadcaster Dervan Malcolm.

Malcolm Died on Thursday, August 27, following a period of illness.

Speaking at a candlelight vigil held in Malcolm’s honour yesterday, Senator Fitz-Henley said one of his final conversations with the veteran broadcaster centred on the welfare of people within the media fraternity.

He noted that media is a tough vocation and said Malcolm remained concerned about the circumstances of those working within the profession.

Senator Fitz-Henley said continuing the conversation about the welfare of media practitioners would be a credit to Malcolm’s legacy.

He also described Malcolm as one of the media’s finest sons and extended condolences on behalf of the Government to his family and the wider media fraternity.

World Champion Oblique Seville landed his maiden Diamond League title today when he sped to victory in the men’s 100 metres final on the opening day of the two day 2026 Wanda Diamond League final in Brussels.

Seville clocked 9.90 seconds on his way to victory over Emmanuel Eseme of Cameroon who posted 9.93 seconds, with Kayinsola Ajayi of Nigeria third in 9.97 seconds.

2019 World Champion Tajay Gayle produced his best performance of the season today to win the men’s long jump event.

Gayle with a best effort on 8.46 metres upstaged World and Olympic champion Miltiadis Tentoglou of Greece 8.40 metres, while Wayne Pinnock had to settle for 5th with 7.84 metres.

Olympic Champion Roje Stona was on the podium in the men’s discuss where he placed 3rd at 68.86 metres.

Meanwhile, Ruschell Clayton missed out on a podium finish in the women’s 400 metre hurdles.

She placed 5th in the event in 53.85 seconds as the American Anna Cockrell won in 53.01.

Earlier in the women’s shot put final, Danniel Thomas-Dodd ended at the back of the field with a best of 18.44 metres.

Romaine Beckford had to settle for 5th in the men’s high jump with 2.21 metres and Orlando Bennett clocked 13.43 seconds for 6th in the men’s 110 metre hurdles.

Ackelia Smith posted 14.29 metres to take 4th place in the women’s triple jump

Julien Alfred of St Lucia won the women’s 200 metres in 21.79 seconds

Saturday’s second day of the finals will see seven Jamaicans in competition.

Olympic bronze medallist Rajindra Campbell will compete in the men’s shot put final at 11.28am and at 12.23pm Jordan Scott contests the men’s triple jump final.

Meanwhile Nickesia Pryce is in the women’s 400 metres final at 1.04pm, Lamara Distin is down for the women’s high jump final six minutes later.

This will be followed at 1.14pm by the women’s 100 metres final with Tina Clayton and Jonielle Smith and Megan Simmonds is in the women’s 100 metre hurdles final will be the last Jamaican in action at 2.10pm.

International touring DJ and mixer Ricky Platinum has identified songs by Vybz Kartel, Masicka, Teejay and Byron Messiah that he says have strong international appeal.

During his Road To Success interview with Kshema Francis on IRIE FM’s Easy Skankin on Thursday, Ricky Platinum named Kartel’s Fever, Masicka’s White’s, Teejay’s Drift and Byron Messiah’s Talibans among the songs on his playlist that garner international attention.

He made the statement when explaining what constitute a hit in 2026.

Ricky Platinum, who is gearing up to tour with Vybz Kartel, has built a career as an international touring DJ and mixer.

The Government has signed contracts to support the delivery of approximately 268 semi-permanent housing solutions across parishes hardest hit by Hurricane Melissa last October.

The signing ceremony took place at the Ministry of Economic Growth and Infrastructure Development yesterday.

Of the 268 housing solutions, 143 are earmarked for Westmoreland and 125 for St. Elizabeth.

The housing solutions include units provided through the National Housing Trust (NHT) and housing solutions provided by the Government of China.

Minister with responsibility for land titling and settlements, Robert Montague, said the contract signing moves the Government significantly closer to providing safer accommodation for families displaced by the hurricane.

Mr. Montague explained that the decision to utilise semi-permanent housing solutions was driven by the need to provide shelter to affected families as quickly as possible, while the government continues to consider other housing options as part of the wider recovery effort.

Works under the contracts include the excavation of foundations and footings, construction of bases and associated external works, installation of sewage and water distribution systems, transportation and installation of the housing units, as well as internal wall partitioning and installation of fittings and fixtures.

Mr. Montague said with the contracts now signed, the focus shifts to implementation and delivery.

The Jamaica Medical Doctors’ Association (JMDA) says the Health Ministry has completed a preliminary audit of the accommodation for interns, following concerns raised by the association.

JMDA met recently with Health Ministry representatives.

In June, interns staged a protest to highlight the issues affecting them.

Among the concerns is the need for rest and overnight facilities.

According to the JMDA, those facilities are either entirely absent or inadequate.

Interns are reportedly required to share beds, and in some locations, have experienced recurrent flooding with sewage and inadequate sanitation.

The JMDA called for improvements.

President Dr. Jubilee Brown-Service told IRIE FM News that Health Minister Dr. Christopher Tufton disclosed at a recent meeting that he was awaiting further consultation before the audit findings were revealed.

She added that the JMDA used the same meeting to urge the ministry to establish consistent criteria for international medical graduates intending to enter the Jamaican workforce.

El Niño is expected to intensify to exceptional levels in the coming months with nearly a 100% certainty that it will persist until February 2027.

The United Nations World Meteorological Organization (WMO) provided the update during a press conference n Geneva, Switzerland today.

WMO General Secretary, Celeste Saulo said this is the first time the organization has given an El Niño update with such certainty.

El Niño is a natural climate pattern defined by the warming of sea surface temperatures in the central and eastern tropical pacific ocean.

Saulo said the world is in the danger zone of extreme weather as this El Niño could be the strongest since records began four decades ago.

El Niño in Spanish means boy child, but Saulo warned that it has the potential to deliver a massive blow to communities, economies and supply chains across the world.

She noted that this exceptional El Niño demands exceptional preparation and response.

Saulo said as a result, the WMO has launched a major mobilization with the National Meteorological and Hydro-logical services which are the front-line of delivering forecasts and services to save lives and livelihoods.

She urged nations to work together to mitigate the impact of this El Nino.

Principal Director of the Meteorological Service Evan Thompson says Jamaicans need not panic amid reports of severe weather impacts due to El Niño .

The United Nations World Meteorological Organization (WMO) gave an update on the phenomenon today.

Speaking with IRIE FM News, Mr. Thompson says the WMO’s projection aligns with Jamaica’s met service forecasts issued in April.

Thompson says Jamaicans should focus on preparation.

The government says it is mobilising back-to-school support for children and families affected by the demolition of homes in Cooper’s Pen, Trelawny, last month.

The disclosure comes amid concern by lobby group, Fi We Children Foundation (FWCF), that some children from the community may not be able to attend school when the new academic year begins next week.

This as some parents expressed concern that their children may not return to school before January, due to uncertainty in the wake of the demolition.

A statement from the Office of the Prime Minister last evening said families will be receiving support to cover uniforms, textbooks and other related supplies.

The update followed a visit by Prime Minister Dr. Andrew Holness to the community last week, where he gave a commitment to provide residents with back-to-school support before the new school year opens.

OPM stated that Social Security Minister, Pearnel Charles jr, and Education Minister Dr. Dana Morris Dixon were directed by the Prime Minister to coordinate the government’s response to families.

Meanwhile, Dr. Morris Dixon assured that immediate steps are being taken to find the affected children in the area.

She said the government remains committed to ensuring that the children get the support required as soon as possible so that they can attend school next week.