IRIE FM

The two surviving Guardsman/Beryllium workers injured in an explosion at a garage three months ago have returned to Jamaica after undergoing specialised burn treatment at medical facilities in the United States of America (USA).

The incident in May resulted in four men suffering burns of varying degrees.

One man died on the same day.

With the assistance of the Burn Foundation of Jamaica/Crisis Support Charity, the men were transported to the USA.

In July, the second man succumbed to his injuries.

The other two men were flown back to Jamaica yesterday.

They will continue treatment and therapy at the University Hospital of the West Indies.

Foundation Co-founder, Stephen Josephs, expressed appreciation to all who participated and supported the efforts to get specialised medical attention for the men.

He described the situation as a miracle.

Meanwhile, relatives of the burn survivors said that the recovery journey is difficult and they are grateful for the support received.

The Caribbean Community of Retired Persons (CCRP) says this week’s arson attack on two elderly women in Bamboo, St. Ann has highlighted the need for more neighbourhood watch groups.

The two women are in hospital after a man reportedly broke into their home, chopped them in the face and set the dwelling on fire.

Neighbours and firefighters responded and extinguished the blaze.

The accused man is now in police custody.

Speaking with IRIE FM News, CCRP Founder Jean Lowre-Chin says the incident emphasises the critical role that neighbours play in protecting the elderly.

She is expressing hope that the two seniors recover and the alleged perpetrator is duly punished.

Michael-Andre Edwards starred the show for Jamaica last night with a massive performance, to strike gold in the men’s triple jump final, to improve the country’s medal tally to three, at the World Under 20 Championships in Eugene, Oregon.

The 2026 Jamaica College boys champs winning captain with a thriller on his final jump, produced a world leading and personal best 17.08 metres to upstage the American Miles Nesmith, who had to settle for the silver after a sensational battle with a personal best 16.79 metres.

This takes Jamaica to one gold and two silver medals for 5th place on the medal table, behind the USA who lead the table with 9 medals gold and 5 silver.

100 metres silver medal winners Gary Card and Shanoya Douglas, placed themselves in the finals of the men and women’s 200 metres event.

Card advance after placing third in his semi-final in 20.64 seconds, Douglas posted 22.53 to win her event and make progress along with Sashana Johnson, who was second in her semi-final in a personal best time of 22.92 seconds.

Tiana Marshall booked her place in the women’s 100 metre hurdles final, winning her semi-final heat in 13.02 seconds, while Akeelah Bell failed to advance when she clocked 13.52 for 5th in her event.

In the men’s 110 metre hurdles, Marques Page despite a personal best 13.23 seconds, was only good enough for 4th and failed to advance, so too Taj-Oneil Gordon who clocked 13.46 seconds for 6th place in his semi-final.

Kevon-Gay Fowler ended at the back of the field in the women’s 800 metres final clocking 2-minutes-08.11 seconds.

Jamaica will start today’s penultimate day of the championships at 12.45pm, when they contest the first round of the women’s 4 by 400 metres relay following which the men’s 4 by 400 metres relay will be contested at 1.20pm.

Jamaica will also in action in the first round of the women’s 4 by 100 metres relay at 1.55pm with the men in action at 2.25pm.

Kamari Kennedy and Joseph Salmon will close out the morning session at 2.55pm in the qualification round of the men’s discuss.

In the evening session, Jamaica will be hoping for another medal in the opening event, the 4x100m mixed relay final at 8:05 p.m.

David Brown will contest the men’s high jump final at 8:10 p.m., while semi-final action is scheduled in both the women’s and men’s 400m hurdles.

Shevaughn Thomas and Marria Crossfield will line up in the women’s event, while Robert Miller and Jahvanie Tyrell will compete in the men’s race.

Dancehall entertainers Wayne Wonder and Busy Signal have been recognized for their contributions to Jamaican music and culture, receiving the Reggae Icon Award at Jamaica’s annual Independence Day Grand Gala in Kingston.

The prestigious honour, presented by the Government of Jamaica, celebrates entertainers whose work has helped to expand the global influence and reach of reggae and dancehall music.

The awards were presented by Prime Minister Andrew Holness during Jamaica’s 64th Independence celebrations on Thursday.

Following the presentation, both Wayne Wonder and Busy Signal expressed gratitude for the recognition, thanking the Government of Jamaica and their supporters for acknowledging their contributions to the country’s musical legacy.

The 2026 Independence Grand Gala was held under the theme, “United in Celebrating Resilience,” highlighting Jamaica’s enduring strength, cultural heritage, and achievements over the past 64 years.

Jamaica and the Republic of South Africa must trade, invest, learn, innovate and prosper together.

The statement was made by Industry, Investment and Commerce Minister, Aubyn Hill, who was speaking at a luncheon held as part of the official visit of South Africa’s Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Alvin Botes, on Wednesday.

Mr. Hill said Jamaica has built strong institutions and an attractive investment environment that provides a solid foundation for deeper cooperation with South Africa.

He pointed to Jamaica’s prime geographic location which offers a stable political system, and a stable currency backed by historically high Net International Reserves (NIR).

Mr. Hill said investors from South Africa and around the world will appreciate Jamaica’s efforts to reduce crime, adding that the island’s murder rate has fallen by 67% to the end of 2025, and down over 20% so far this year.

He said this, and other things, make Jamaica a very attractive investment destination.

Mr. Hill further invited South Africa to work alongside Jamaica in advancing shared prosperity.

Meanwhile, Mr. Botes said Jamaican businesses that invest in South Africa’s manufacturing sector can gain access to a regional market of approximately 250 million people through the Southern African Customs Union, with significant customs duty exemptions.

The Jamaica Teachers’ Association (JTA) says wage negotiations with the Finance Ministry remain at a stalemate after talks ended on Wednesday without an improved offer from the ministry.

JTA President Mark Malabver says the parties were unable to reach an agreement on the union’s 28-point claim.

He says negotiations will resume on Tuesday, August 11, at 2 p.m., when the union expects the ministry to make a new offer.

He adds that the JTA is not in a position to ask its members to continue exercising restraint during the negotiations.

Mr. Malabver warns that if no acceptable offer is made next week, teachers may take action at the start of the new school year.

There is clear indication that many public sector workers are willing to accept the latest salary offer from the government.

The offer is for a one-off payment of $80,000 for Year 1, a 5% increase for Year 2, and a further 5% increase for Year 3.

The matter was discussed at a virtual meeting of the Jamaica Civil Service Association (JCSA) on Wednesday.

JCSA President Techa Clarke-Griffiths had urged members to accept the offer, noting that it is reasonable.

She also noted that umbrella group, the Jamaica Confederation of Trade Unions (JCTU), had accepted the offer.

During Wednesday’s meeting, an online poll was conducted and the majority of members voted to accept.

The intention is to have the acceptance finalised and officially communicated to the Finance Ministry.

The ministry is expected to submit the draft agreement to the unions today, and, if accepted the signing of the agreement is expected next Tuesday.

The signing of the agreement will allow for expedited processing and payment.

Health Minister Dr. Christopher Tufton has appealed for Jamaicans to be patient, as the government embarks on a wider transformation of health infrastructure.

He noted that the process to modernize a healthcare facility cannot be compared to the construction of an apartment complex.

This as the process is complicated and requires highly specialised planning, which includes infection prevention systems and specialised ventilation.

The minister addressed the issue following a tour this week of works to expand the May Pen Hospital in Clarendon.

Dr. Tufton asserted that the government has revolutionized health infrastructure in Jamaica.

The minister said works for both upgrading and building new health facilities are indicative of the health transformation.

By Sugarray Thomas

Jamaica and Ghana have signed a defence cooperation agreement in a bid to boost mutual disaster response.

The announcement was made this week following bilateral talks between Prime Minister Dr. Andrew Holness and Ghana’s President John Mahama.

Several members of Ghana’s Army Engineer Reconstruction Team were deployed to Jamaica in the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa to support reconstruction efforts.

Dr. Holness expressed appreciation to the Ghanaian soldiers for their help with reconstructing roofs of buildings in St. Elizabeth, one of the hardest-hit parishes.

In the meantime, President Mahama said the new agreement will ensure that both countries can respond to disasters in a timely manner.

In his Independence Day message, Dr. Holness said following the passage of Hurricane Melissa last year, the country’s task is to build a stronger Jamaica, which can endure future shocks better than before.

He explained that the National Reconstruction and Resilience Authority (NARRA) will create the capacity to coordinate, finance and deliver reconstruction at a scale not seen since independence.

He noted that it is the duty of leaders and citizens to preserve what those before built and to strengthen what has been weakened.

He then called for this generation be remembered as the generation that secured Jamaica’s future.