Morning Bites: 5 things to know for Wednesday; Robert Chin; 1,000 for surgeries; Caricom talks; Clovis Toon; Breaking News and more

Morning Bites: 5 things to know for Wednesday, February 15, 2023 Robert Chin returns to court in $90M drug bust matter Robert Chin, the upper St Andrew man who has been charged in connection with the [seizure of cocaine estimated at $90 million]( is scheduled to return to court today for a hearing in relation to the variation of his bail conditions. The drug was allegedly found in a suitcase belonging to Chin in January at the Norman Manley International Airport in Kingston. Chin, who reportedly fled the airport before his capture later the same day in Mona had his bail extended until today when he appeared in the Kingston and St Andrew Parish Court last Friday. The 56-year-old of Mona, St Andrew, is the [brother of Member of Parliament, Mikael Phillips](. Chin is charged with possession of cocaine, dealing in cocaine, attempting to export cocaine, and conspiracy to export cocaine. He was [granted bail on January 6, in the sum of $700,000 on humanitarian grounds]( after the court was told of his health condition and need for daily dialysis. 1,000 Jamaicans to receive surgeries under Operation Code Care Some 1,000 Jamaicans are scheduled to receive surgeries [under Operation Code Care]( a programme of the Ministry of Health and Wellness. This is in addition to the 270 people who have already benefitted from elective surgeries under the programme that commenced in the second half of 2022. “The government will continue this drive to improve service delivery and an additional 1,000 persons waiting for more than three years will have their surgeries completed,” said Governor Genera Sir Patrick Allen. He was speaking inside Gordon House on Tuesday as he delivered the annual [Throne Speech to mark the start of the new parliamentary year](. Code Care was rolled out to ease the backlog of elective surgeries in the public healthcare system that was exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. The surgeries are done in partnership with local private sector facilities and the support of health professionals in the diaspora. A total of $950 million has been allocated to the CODE CARE project, with most of the funding going to the renovation and upgrade of nine operating theatres at four hospitals. These upgrades will enhance the throughput of surgeries within hospitals. Caricom leaders begin 3 days of talks; Haiti on the agenda The inter-sessional meeting of Caribbean Community (Caricom) leaders is scheduled to [get underway today in Nassau, Bahamas](. The inter-sessional talks are set to run until Friday, and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is scheduled to participate in the discussions. At Caricom, which brings together the leaders of the 15-member states, Trudeau said he will “drive progress on shared priorities, including continued [support for the Haitian people]( “The visit will provide an opportunity for the leaders to consider further regional political security, and humanitarian assistance in support of the Haitian people and Haitian-led solutions to the ongoing situation in Haiti, which is having a devastating impact on the Haitian people,” the Canadian prime minister said. Haiti has been rocked by intense conflict driven by increasing control of criminal gangs over parts of the country, including in the capital Port-au-Prince. Trudeau said he will participate in group discussions and bilateral meetings with Caricom leaders. He said he will work to strengthen Canada's partnership with countries in the Caribbean region, including by advancing democracy, human rights, “economic growth that benefits everyone”, and developing clean energy. Advertisement Four more arrested over plot to kill Haitian President Police in the United States have [arrested four more people]( for their alleged roles in the plot to assassinate Haitian President Jovenel Moïse in 2021. One of the suspects is the owner of a Florida-based security company, which authorities said hired Colombian ex-soldiers for the mission. President Moïse was shot and killed at his home in Port-au-Prince in July, 2021, reportedly by Spanish-speaking foreign mercenaries. Eleven suspects are now in US custody. According to the Justice Department (DOJ), Venezuelan-American Antonio "Tony" Intriago, who is the owner of Florida-based CTU Security, hired a squad of former Colombian soldiers for the operation. He has now been hit with a slew of charges, including conspiracy to kill or kidnap a person outside of the US. A CTU company representative, Colombian citizen Arcangel Pretel Ortiz, has also been arrested. A third suspect, Florida-based financier Walter Veintemilla, is accused of financing the plot to kill Moïse. His attorney told the Associated Press that he plans to plead not guilty. The fourth suspect - Frederick Joseph Bergmann Jr - has been accused of smuggling ballistic vests as part of the plot. West Indies Women play India in crucial T20 World Cup match West Indies Women will be eager to register their first win in the [ongoing T20 World Cup in South Africa]( when they take on tournament favourites India in a crucial match today in Cape Town. The Windies are desperate for a win after they were rolled over by England in their opening match on Saturday. The Hayley Matthews-led side is enduring a wretched run, having lost 14 matches on the trot. They will once again turn to skipper Matthews who has oodles of experience. However, she needs the others to step up, especially the experienced Stafanie Taylor, who has returned from a back injury. It will be a crucial fixture for West Indies as a loss would knock the former champions out of semi-final contention. Meanwhile, having got the better of Pakistan in their opening game, India is looking forward to an improved bowling show against West Indies. The Indians posted 151/3 in 19 overs in reply to their Asian neighbours’ 149/4. Meanwhile, India's vice-captain and opener Smriti Mandhana is set to return to action against West Indies, after being ruled out of the team's T20 World Cup opener against Pakistan on Sunday with a finger injury. India's bowling coach Troy Cooley is hopeful that Mandhana will be fit to play. ICYMI: WHILE YOU WERE SLEEPING WATCH: MP Marsha Smith touts ‘better place’ with constituents; unconcerned by critics Member of Parliament for St Ann North Eastern, the Jamaica Labour Party’s Marsha Smith [says she is not troubled by her detractors in the constituency and claims that her relationship with constituents is much improved]( compared to several months ago when they were calling for her to be removed as MP. 10-man Jamaica fall to Guadeloupe at U-17 Championships Jamaica’s bid to progress to the next round of Concacaf qualifying for the Under-17 World Cup [took a hit on Tuesday after the young Reggae Boyz gave up an early lead and were beaten 2-1 by Guadeloupe]( in their Group G game at Estadio Doroteo Guamuch Flores in Guatemala City, Guatemala. Applications open for Diaspora festival song contest The third Jamaica International Independence Festival Song Competition (JIIFSC) was [recently launched in Atlanta, Georgia](. Garfield McCook, founder of the event, is expecting another enthusiastic response from artistes and fans alike. CLOVIS TOON TODAY IN HISTORY Nat King Cole dead at 45 [On this day]( in 1965, singer Nat King Cole, 45, died in Santa Monica, California. For more stories, visit our website at www.jamaicaobserver.com or [sign up for our e-paper](. [Twitter]( [Facebook]( [Website]( Copyright © 2023 Jamaica Observer, All rights reserved. Our mailing address is: 40 - 42 1/2 Beechwood Avenue Kingston 5 Want to change how you receive these emails? You can [update your preferences]( or [unsubscribe from this list](.