IRIE FM

Psychologist Dr. Leahcim Semaj is urging Jamaicans not to ignore warning signs for suicide.

His comments follow reports of at least 3 suspected suicides this week.

The deceased have been identified as 22-year-old labourer Brian Reid of West Cumberland, Portmore in St. Catherine; 33-year-old Remardo Thompson, otherwise called “Ray-Ray” of Rose Street, Whitehall, Negril in Westmoreland and 33-year-old Christopher Sinclair of Santa Hill in Spalding, Clarendon.

Dr. Semaj said men generally exhibit lower health seeking behaviours than women and often carry their pressures in silence.

He is encouraging men experiencing suicidal thoughts or emotional distress to reach out to someone they trust and seek professional help before they reach a crisis point.

He said as Jamaica celebrates 64 years of political independence, he honours the generations whose courage and conviction gave Jamaica the right to determine its own destiny.

He said their vision extended beyond the transfer of political authority but was a vision of a nation where opportunity is available to all, democratic institutions are strong, integrity is valued, justice prevails, and every Jamaican can realise their full potential.

Mr. Golding called on the nation to continue to honour their sacrifices by building a nation worthy of their vision.

A woman is among three persons arrested following a series of coordinated anti-lottery scamming operations at several locations in Kingston and S. Andrew this morning.

According to the Major Organised Crime and Anti-Corruption Agency’s (MOCA) Director of Communications Major Basil Jarrett, agents, supported by officers from the Jamaica Constabulary Force went to two premises in Belvedere, St. Andrew and one in Perkins Estate, Kingston at approximately 5 o’clock this morning.

This was to issue arrest warrants for three persons believed to be involved in lottery scamming activities.

The suspects, two men and one woman, are alleged to be members of an organised crime syndicate conducting lottery scamming operations from the two upscale belvedere properties.

In making the arrests, the MOCA team also reportedly seized a number of evidentiary items.

The suspects are being held at constant spring and red hills police stations and are expected to be charged with breaches of the law reform act.

Major Jarrett is urging renters and home owners to be particularly vigilant when renting properties in upscale communities.

He said this morning’s arrests demonstrates the strength of MOCA’s collaboration and coordination with its JCF partners.

The government is evaluating the modular  containerized housing units for wider use across the country as it moves  to expand the range of housing solutions available under the New Social Housing Programme (NSHP).

Prime Minister Dr. Andrew Holness made the announcement yesterday while handing over a newly constructed NSHP home to beneficiary, Andrea Burke, in Central Kingston.

Dr. Holness said the modular units, first introduced as part of the Hurricane Melissa recovery effort have shown significant promise and could become another option for providing safe, dignified housing to vulnerable Jamaicans.

The Prime Minister explained that government will conduct extensive testing before deciding on their wider deployment.

The Prime Minister said the government also intends to improve on the design, over time.

He  emphasised that the modular units will complement, not replace, the existing homes constructed under the NSHP.

The programme has delivered 349 housing solutions benefiting  more than 1,600 Jamaicans across 57 constituencies.

Approximately 65 additional housing solutions are in various stages of construction.

The Jamaica Civil Service Association (JCSA) has indicated that the latest salary offer from the government seems reasonable and has called on members to consider and accept it.

JCSA President Techa Clarke Griffiths gave an update on the status of negotiations with the government, during a virtual meeting today.

She outlined the stages of the process, including the offers and counter offers made by the government, the JCSA as well as the umbrella group, the Jamaica Confederation of Trade Unions (JCTU).

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

She explained that the government had initially offered 4 % for year 3 but later agreed to the 5 %.

She noted that the Confederation has already accepted the offer.

She urged members to accept the offer early so that the processing for payments can be expedited.

She informed that there is no retroactive payment for year 1.

An Olivier Shield style format has been adapted for this year’s staging of the Ali Cole Jr Preseason Invitational Football Tournament to be hosted by the Green and Black Family of Excelsior High School from August 11 to 15, 2026.

20 teams including 10 Manning cup and 10 DaCosta cup teams are down to participate at the tournament which was first staged in 2018 and named in honour of the late former Excelsior High’s winning Manning Cup Captain Allan Cole Jr.

The competition which is an ISSA endorsed event, will feature reigning Manning Cup and Olivier Shield champions Excelsior and Dacosta Cup Champions St Elizabeth Technical.

Featuring in Zone A on the Manning cup cup bracket are: Excelsior, Kingston Technical, Vauxhall, Dunoon Technical and Papine High.

Zone B features: Norman Manley, Clan Carthy, Campion College, Hillel Academy and Camperdown.

The Dacosta Cup bracket sees Zone A featuring: Steths, Christiana High, Vere Technical, William Knibb and St James high.

Zone B includes: Clarendon College, Mannings, Foga Road High, Aphansus Davis High, and Irwin High.

The DaCosta Cup preliminary games will be held at St. Elizabeth Technical High School on August 11 and 12.

On Thursday, August 13th through Saturday, August 15th, both the Manning Cup preliminary games and the playoffs will take place at Excelsior High School.

CEO of The Green & Yellow Family the main organisers of the event Carlton ‘Sambo’ Hammond, is urging continued support for the tournament.

Meanwhile among the 2026 ACT award recipients are Excelsior High’s football Alums: Garfield McLeod, Michael Williams, Carl Brown, Ryan Dawes, Ryan Bolin and Fabian Watkins

The Lifetime Achievement Award recipients are: Deanroy Bromfield (current XLCR principal), Robert Mais and Kisha Bailey.

The Trinidadian Town of Guapo, Point Fortin, has been plunged into mourning after one of its residents died following a crash in St. Mary yesterday.

31-year-old Shirnell Ettienne was one of four people travelling in a motorcar along the Agualta Vale main road when it plunged into the Wag Water River.

Ettienne was reportedly swept away by a strong current and drowned. The other three travellers escaped.

The incident has rattled residents from her hometown, who described Ettienne as a well-known and well-loved athlete and individual.

One childhood friend told IRIE FM News that Ettienne has always been a dedicated and supportive friend.

She said the news of her death did not auger well for the community and her loved ones.

Her sister, in a social media post, noted that her heart was shattered, as she tries to cope with the loss of her sibling.

She said Ettienne was more than a sister; she was a friend, confidant, protector, a source of laughter and someone who knew her heart like no other.

A call is being made for rental companies and other persons lending motor vehicles to tourists to brief them on road rules.

Speaking with IRIE FM News, President of the One Voice Transportation Group, Lorraine Finnikin, says while the vast majority of road fatalities involve locals, there are instances where foreign nationals are either injured or killed.

He said the nation should be proactive in seeking to prevent the deaths, not just of its citizens, but also of those who choose to visit.

As such, Mr. Finnikin stressed that briefing tourists on rules should be a priority.

In the meantime, the Transportation Group President is appealing to public passenger operators to conduct their duties with extra caution tomorrow, as Jamaica observes Independence Day.

Mr. Finnikin warned that it is not the time to be reckless or to ignore road rules.

He is hoping the holiday will pass without any incident.

Written By: Ansray Thomas

The right of persons of African descent in the diaspora to return to the mother continent, Africa, is not an act of charity or compassion.

President of Ghana, John Mahama, made the statement at a Special Joint Sitting of Parliament yesterday.

This is as he expressed his intention to push for a right of return for all members of the African Diaspora, as part of his manifesto when he assumes chairmanship of the African Union (AU) next year.

Mr. Mahama is in Jamaica on a State visit, where he is also the guest for the island’s Emancipation and Independence celebrations.

He told Jamaican Parliamentarians that Ghana passed the ‘Right of Abode Act’ in 2000 and is working on a ‘Homeland Return Bill’ to create formal pathways for citizenship for African descendants wishing to reside in the West African country.

An appeal is again being made for persons involved in domestic disputes to seek the help of the police instead of resorting to violence.

This is after a man allegedly killed his spouse and disposed of her body in a river in Lacovia, St. Elizabeth.

Dead is 50-year-old Nicole Brown, a farmer of Barton Wharf District in Lacovia.

Brown was reported as missing since Sunday, August 2.

Further reports are that relatives and residents of the community accosted her spouse, demanding answers regarding her whereabouts.

Head of Operations for the St. Elizabeth police division, Deputy Superintendent Owen Brown, noted that cops had to rescue the accused man from an angry mob.

Following reports that Brown’s body was in the river, a search was launched, and her body was recovered by divers from the Jamaica Defence Force Coast Guard yesterday.

He is appealing to citizens who have domestic disputes to seek intervention.

A cousin, Roxanne Pusey, described Brown as a hardworking, loving person.

Member of Parliament for North West St. Elizabeth, Andrew Morris said the Jamaica Labour Party is also in mourning with Brown’s relatives and friends.

He said Brown was a dedicated party supporter and worker.

Morris assured Brown’s relatives that they will be supported.