IRIE FM

Aviation Expo 2026, hosted by Captain Altitude, returns for its second staging on Saturday, November 7, 2026, at Tinson Pen Aerodrome, from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Following its successful inaugural staging in 2025, the Expo promises an even bigger celebration of aviation, innovation, education and career opportunities, bringing together aviation professionals, industry leaders, educational institutions and families.

Patrons can look forward to exciting aircraft displays, remote controlled aircraft demonstrations, drone displays, drone soccer, flight simulators, aviation career exhibitions, interactive STEM activities, a Kiddies Village, entertainment, giveaways and opportunities to learn about aviation scholarships.

The event will feature participation and engagement from leading aviation and educational organisations, including the University of Technology, Jamaica, aviation authorities and international industry stakeholders.

Founder and Director of Captain Altitude, Celene Gordon, emphasized the Expo’s national significance:

With over 2,000 patrons anticipated, Aviation Expo 2026 aims to strengthen Jamaica’s aviation community while creating meaningful pathways for youth development, education and employment.

Is Parliament being given enough time to properly examine the laws it is being asked to pass?

That question was raised during today’s sitting of the Upper House, as Opposition Senator Ramon Small Ferguson challenged the Government’s approach to the introduction and passage of legislation, particularly when pressing deadlines are involved.

Senator Small Ferguson is calling for Bills to be circulated with sufficient time for scrutiny and debate.

He argued that giving members only days to examine proposed legislation risks undermining the very purpose of Parliamentary oversight.

The Senator raised the concern amidst discussions on the resolution to approve the Virtual Asset Service Providers (Licensing) Regulations.

He said the legislative review process takes time, and that members should be given a reasonable opportunity to properly examine the provisions before them.

He also pointed to previous instances in which Bills were brought before Parliament under tight timelines.

While acknowledging that demanding legislative timetables are often a feature of Government, the Senator stressed the need to distinguish between genuinely exceptional circumstances that require urgent action and situations in which the rush can be avoided.

In response, Government Senator Dr. Dana Morris Dixon agreed that such situations should not become the norm, but said members must also be prepared to exercise flexibility.

Dancehall star Mr. Vegas has weighed in on the ongoing discussion about entertainers and their role in representing Brand Jamaica, following Buju Banton’s response to Prime Minister Andrew Holness.

Buju argued that entertainers do more than wave the Jamaican flag, stating that they are the brand that helps establish Jamaica.

However, Mr. Vegas, in a video shared on TikTok, said representing Brand Jamaica comes with a responsibility to uphold a certain standard of decency.

“Yuh cya seh yuh a Brand Jamaica and you’re not representing the brand,” he said.

He further argued that those representing Brand Jamaica should not engage in activities that could destroy or deface the brand, adding that there should be no form of immoral activity, including drugs and guns.

The discussion follows the Prime Minister’s comments in response to Beenie Man, who accused the government of failing to provide Hurricane Melissa relief funds to affected Jamaicans.

While speaking at the reopening of the Black River Hospital, which was destroyed by Hurricane Melissa, the Prime Minister said entertainers should not wave the Jamaican flag to attract audiences to their shows while simultaneously tearing down the country.

Dancehall entertainers Buju Banton, Konshens, Spragga Benz and Tanya Stephens have weighed in on the controversy surrounding Beenie Man’s criticism of the government’s distribution of Hurricane Melissa relief funds.

During an interview with ITV News, Beenie Man accused the government of distributing the relief funds “the wrong way,” prompting a response from Prime Minister Andrew Holness, who urged Jamaicans not to “tear down” the country.

Speaking at the reopening of the Black River Hospital, which was destroyed by Hurricane Melissa, Holness said, “We must call them out because they go and wave our flag and get people to come to attend their shows, while they’re out there tearing down our country.” He added that “this will not help one more person get one more grant.”

Buju Banton, who expressed support for Beenie Man in a TikTok comment, wrote, “No U wrong. We do not wave the flag. We are the brand that helps establish Jamaica.”

Konshens also defended the veteran deejay in an Instagram post, declaring, “Beenie did not tear down Jamaica, he questioned the GOVERNMENT!!”

He further argued that an entertainer’s success in attracting audiences goes beyond simply representing Jamaica, pointing to Beenie Man’s talent, hard work, catalogue and sacrifice as factors that drive people to support his music.

“Artiste dont just wave the flag and get people to full up venues, Beenie mans Talent, Hard work, Catalogue and Sacrifice get people to buy his product. U dont just slap the flag on it and it automatically sells,” Konshens wrote.

Meanwhile, Tanya Stephens questioned the government’s response to the concerns being raised, writing on Instagram, “The displaced ppl being neglected nuh satisfied either. Which lie Beenie tell?”

Spragga Benz also joined the discussion, calling for greater transparency regarding the country’s recovery efforts.

In his Instagram post, he questioned the progress made in repairing roofs, restoring schools and reinstating water and electricity services, while also seeking an update on outstanding household assistance.

“Can you publish the progress made so far on repaired roofs, restored schools, water, electricity and outstanding household assistance? The public needs to know what has actually improved, not just how much money has been announced or allocated,” he wrote.

The discussion follows Beenie Man’s interview with ITV News, where he was asked about Jamaica’s recovery efforts ahead of the one-year anniversary of the devastation caused by Hurricane Melissa.

Gospel artist Kevin Downswell describes his latest album, Joy Is Here, as the most diverse project he has ever produced.

In an exclusive interview with Music News, the Carry Me singer elaborates on the album’s musical diversity and collaborations featured across the 10 tracks.

Joy Is Here was officially released today, Friday, October 30.

Sunshine Girls coach Sasher-Gaye Henry-Wright admits it was a tough call when they selecting the squad for the upcoming Horizon Netball Series against England’s Vitality Roses next month.

World top shooter Jhaniele Fowler-Nembhard and the world class defender Shamera Sterling – Humphrey who were both out of the national team due to maternity leave will both make their return to the senior Sunshine Girls team.

The other members of the squad include: Gezelle Allison, Azara Wilmot, Shanice Beckford, Latanya Wilson, Jodi-Ann Ward, Kadie-Ann Dehaney, Crystal Plummer, Nicole Dixon-Rochester, Abigail Sutherland and Brie Grierson.

The non-travelling reserves are Rhea Dixon, Kimone Shaw and Adean Thomas.

Jamaica will be seeking to reclaim the Rhone-Hornsby trophy, having won the inaugural series in 2024 before England took it in 2025 when only the England leg was played due to the effects of Hurricane Melissa on the island.

The London leg will be played at the Copper Box Arena on Saturday November 21 and 22 while the Kingston leg will be played on December 5 and 6 at the National Indoor Sports Center.

The Financial Investigations Division (FID) will launch its Money Mule Public Education Campaign next Tuesday, November 3.

The campaign is a 12-week effort to help tertiary students and young professionals recognise money mule recruitment early, understand the consequences, and know where to turn for help.

The campaign will run until Thursday, January 21, next year and is anchored by a new information page at fid.gov.jm/moneymules.

A money mule is a person whose bank account, mobile wallet or card is used to receive and pass on money that comes from crime.

Commenting on the campaign, FID Chief Technical Director Dennis Chung says money mule recruitment depends on ordinary people who do not realise what they are being asked to do.

He says a request to receive money, lend an account or pass funds along, can seem like a small favour or a quick way to earn, but it can place a young person’s name and future at the centre of a criminal investigation.

Prime Minister Dr. Andrew Holness says the Government has made the reduction of violence and the strengthening of security institutions, a central priority.

According to him, security policy understood properly is also economic and social policy.

The Prime Minister States that safety must be a public good available in every community.

Dr. Holness notes that insecurity has a cost which affects productivity, the cost of doing businesses and the freedom of Jamaicans to pursue their ambitions.

He was speaking at the Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica’s 32nd Hall of Fame Induction Gala honouring Kenneth Benjamin last evening.

He said Mr. Benjamin has devoted much of his working life to meeting the demand for security.

According to Dr. Holness, in doing so Mr. Benjamin helped to build a more professional industry, demonstrating that a Jamaican company could develop and operate with great capability. At scale locally and exporting the capability.

Minister of National Security and Peace, Dr. Horace Chang is warning that criminal elements are becoming increasingly desperate and more willing to challenge the authority of the security forces to protect their illicit interests.

However, Dr. Chang insists that the government will not retreat in its fight against crime, declaring that no criminal element will be allowed to reverse the gains made by the police.

Jamaica recorded 431 murders between January 1 and October 24, representing a 23.6 per cent decline compared with the corresponding period last year.

Dr. Chang acknowledges the progress, but stresses that the reduction in murders must not lead to complacency, particularly as criminal networks become increasingly aggressive in defending their operations.

He was speaking yesterday at a passing out parade for 291 police officers from batches 165 and 166.

The United Nations is calling on donors, financial institutions and the private sector to provide financial support to small business operators in the towns which were affected by Hurricane Melissa.

On Wednesday, Jamaica marked the first anniversary of the passage of the category 5 hurricane, which destroyed homes, wrecked businesses and resulted in the deaths of 45 people.

In a statement, the UN said a year after Hurricane Melissa, the effects still linger in Western Jamaica.

The UN said during a recent visit to Black River, St. Elizabeth representatives took note of the scale of the storms impact.

It noted that while some stores were open and shoppers could be seen bustling through the main street, many business owners are struggling to resume operations, due to the catastrophic damage caused to their properties.

UN Resident Coordinator in Jamaica, Dennis Zulu said the situation in Black River is indicative of more work being needed.

He said the UN is ready to support interventions that help the private sector recover.

Mr. Zulu said emergency relief has largely given way to recovery, and recovery needs far more than the UN can provide.

He called on donors, financial institutions and the private sector to support grants, credit and guarantees that allow small businesses and market traders in Black River and other affected towns, to reopen.

Mr. Zulu praised the Government for creating the National Reconstruction and Resilience Authority (NARRA), noting that the entity is a step forward in coordinating recovery efforts, both post Melissa and in future emergencies.

He said the UN will continue to work with the government to rebuild in a way that reduces risk from future storms.