IRIE FM

Cuba has been plagued by a fuel crisis, which prompted the Jamaican Government to offer transfer options and repatriation flights to students.

In an update at Jamaica House this morning, Foreign Affairs Minister, Kamina Johnson Smith said, over 250 Jamaican students remain in the neighbouring Caribbean nation.

Minister with Responsibility for Land Titling and settlement Robert Montague has re-emphasised that the containerised housing units, being provided by the Government to Hurricane Melissa affected residents, are for the needy, not greedy.

He was speaking yesterday while on a tour of the units in Westmoreland.

The Minister also reiterated that the national housing trust has reserved sections of housing schemes for the establishment of homes for residents who do not own land.

Reggae heavyweight Tarrus Riley is setting the record straight following claims by trending artiste Fambo, that he ignored repeated calls to record a verse for Fambo’s song, Give Thanks.

Fambo made the allegation in a recent video shared on social media.

However, speaking with DJ Sunshine on The Wake-up Call, Tarrus firmly denied the claim, stating that Fambo never called him.

Tarrus appeared on the programme alongside legendary saxophonist Dean Fraser while en route to Germany for the eighth stop of their Europe and Uk Tour with the Black Soil Band.

Jamaica Premier League club Molynes United is embarking on a restructuring process.

Its a process that aims to move the club away from just merely surviving each year in the league and be a sustainable professional organisation while challenging and cementing their spot in the playoffs.

Getting an emotion attachment with the surrounding communities with the Half Way Tree, Molynes Road, Hagley Park, Waltham Park and environs, is also critical for the long term sustainability of the club which is situated in one of the most densely populated geographical location in the corporate area in terms of businesses and residents.

Youth development is also another major initiative and the club will be establishing an academy to fit into the overall structure.

Founded in 1991, the club earned promotion to the top flight in 2019 and has managed to avoid getting relegated up to this point.

They finished 10th in the 2020 and 2021 seasons, 11th in 2022, 9th in 2023, 11th in 2024, 12th in 2025 and 12th again in 2026

With that in mind the Board of Directors have decided to move in a new direction to strengthen the structure of the club and has established a new management committee.

The committee is headed by former Jamaica premier League player at Harbour View Brian Cunningham who has been tasked with moving the club in a new direction.

Cunningham added that there will be a gradual progression in terms of the new vision for the club.

The club currently has its base at Jacisera park in St Andrew but is unable to host home matches until refurbishing work is completed to meet the JFF stipulations. As of now Molynes United play their home games at Constant Spring or at the Waterhouse mini stadium. The aim is to have the venue ready by January 2027.

Getting that emotional connection with the community inclusive of surrounding businesses and residents is critical in the new direction of the club.

Newly appointed CEO of Molynes United Brian Cunningham

Written by: Sugar Ray Thomas

A Working Group has been established in the Office of the Prime Minister, as the Government aims to craft a framework to promote responsible social media use among minors.

The group will incorporate the findings of a national survey on social media use and the protection of children in its discussions.

The study was released earlier today during a press conference hosted by the Health and Wellness Ministry at the Courtyard by Marriott Hotel.

It revealed among other things that 9 of every 10 or 90.2 per cent of respondents support government regulation of social media use by minors.

Portfolio Minister, Dr. Christopher Tufton said the working group will be chaired by Minister with responsibility for Science, Technology and Special Projects, Dr. Andrew Wheatley.

The Health Ministry is also represented in the group by lead researcher of the survey, Dr. Stephen Johnson.

Additionally, the Education Ministry will be represented on the body.

Dr. Tufton reiterated that no policy decision has been taken by the government to regulate social media use by minors at this time.

In the meantime, Researcher Dr. Stephen Johnson has cautioned that Jamaicans are not supporting an outright social media ban for minors.

He was clarifying one of the findings of a national survey on social media use and the protection of children.

Dr. Johnson, who was the lead researcher of the survey, said the response is indicating that more discussion is needed on what form the regulation should take.

Dr. Johnson also explained that over 80 per cent of respondents support a clear policy framework that governs social media use by children.

At the same time, respondents are of the view that the rights of minors must be balanced, while any form of regulation is contemplated.

The National Water Commission (NWC) has indicated that water supply regulations will be implemented for customers served by the Mona Reservoir system, as of next Monday, August 3.

The reservoir is at 64.7 per cent of capacity and continues to experience reduced in flows due to ongoing dry conditions.

The Mona Reservoir supplies several communities across the Corporate Area, including sections of Old Hope Road, New Kingston, Cross Roads, Mountain View, Downtown Kingston and surrounding communities.

Acting Corporate Public Relations Manager Sadeke Brooks pointed out that dry conditions are expected to continue over the coming months, based on forecasts from the Met Service.

Ms. Brooks noted that the water management strategy is aimed at protecting the integrity of the water supply system.

The Caribbean Premier League’s return to Jamaica will be much bigger than the four games slated for Sabina Park next month.

That’s the projection from Atishai Mansingh the Head of Operations at the Jamaica Kingsmen CPL franchise .

Sabina Park will for the first time since 2019 host 4 CPL games where the Kingsmen will face the Barbados Royals, Guyana Amazon Warriors, Trinbago knight riders, and the St Kitts and Nevis Patriots between August 11 to 18, 2026.

Mansingh, a guest on Irie fm’s sports talk show last night explains.

Meanwhile, Andre Russell and Rovman Powell are two of the international stars who are part of the Jamaica Kingsmen team.

Also in the line up is left arm spinner Jeavor Royal, who is aiming to make a name for himself in the Kingsmen uniform this season.

By Sugar Ray Thomas

A new national study has revealed that 90.2% of respondents support Government regulation of social media use by minors.

It was one of the findings of a national survey on social media use and the protection of children.

It is aimed at outlining the Government’s next steps towards the development of an evidence-based policy framework to protect children and adolescents online.

The initiative also forms part of the Health and Wellness Ministry’s commitment to strengthening family and community health by addressing the impact of social media on children and young people under its Community Arranged Response Efforts (C.A.R.E.) agenda.

Outlining some of the findings at a press conference this morning, Portfolio Minister Dr. Christopher Tufton said the study is one of the most comprehensive national assessments ever undertaken on the subject of social media use.

He stressed that the study is intended to generate public discussion in the initial stages. 

Dr. Tufton said another significant finding is that respondents want a national partnership to protect children online.

He said some 1,027 adults across all parishes were interviewed for the social survey.

It will be available on the Ministry’s website.

The average monthly subvention for all municipal corporations is approximately $473 million.

Opposition Spokesperson on Local Government, Natalie Neita Garvey made the disclosure during a press conference this morning while giving a breakdown of the funds allocated to each corporation from the Finance Ministry.

The breakdown follows a recent comment from Local Government Minister Desmond McKenzie, who said the corporations receive $600 million to $700 million monthly for local road and infrastructure maintenance.

Mr. McKenzie was countering claims by the corporations that there is insufficient funding for road repairs and drain cleaning.

Since his comment, several of those corporations have disputed the Local Government Minister’s figure, calling for full transparency regarding the fund distribution.

Mrs. Neita Garvey noted that after assessing the allocations for each corporation, the monthly payments do not support Mr. McKenzie’s claim.

According to the spokesperson, the figures have been inflated by Mr. McKenzie to cast blame on councillors from both the People’s National Party and the ruling Jamaica Labour Party.

She doubled down on the call for the Government to publish a full breakdown of road maintenance allocations.

The Independent Commission of Investigations, INDECOM, is reporting that 174 people have died in alleged confrontations with members of the security forces since January.

Commissioner of INDECOM, Hugh Faulkner said fewer deaths were recorded compared to the 189 for the similar period last year.

According to Commissioner Faulkner, the most recent incidents happened between last Thursday and Sunday.

He said seven people, including a woman were fatally shot in five separate incidents.

The incidents occurred in St. Ann, St. Elizabeth, Kingston, St. Catherine and Manchester.

 In the meantime, he said investigations are ongoing and called on citizens with videos or photographs that could aid the investigations to come forward.