Morning Bites: 5 things to know for Friday; More rain; Delano Franklyn; International Trade Data; UWI suspect; Clovis Toon; Breaking News and more

Morning Bites: 5 things to know for Friday, March 17, 2023 More rain on the way Jamaicans should [brace for more showers]( today. According to the Meteorological Service of Jamaica, a trough across the western Caribbean is expected to maintain unstable weather conditions throughout Friday and the weekend. The development is likely to be welcomed by most Jamaicans, especially in the Kingston and St Andrew areas where drought conditions have forced the National Water Commission (NWC) to implement supply restrictions since February. Funeral for Delano Franklyn A funeral service for former People's National Party Senator, Delano Franklyn, will be held at 2:00pm today at the University of the West Indies Chapel in St Andrew. Franklyn [died of cancer of the blood last month]( following a long fight with the disease. He was 63. An attorney-at-law, Franklyn was one of the founding partners of the law firm Wilson & Franklyn. In 1998, he was appointed the chief advisor to the then Prime Minister of Jamaica, P J Patterson. UWI student Matthew Hyde back in court Matthew Hyde, the University of the West Indies (UWI), Mona Campus student [accused of torturing his ex-girlfriend]( is set to return to the Kingston and St Andrew Parish Court today. Hyde, 23, has been charged with false imprisonment, malicious communication, assault occasioning bodily harm and assault occasioning grievous bodily harm. The police believe Hyde’s ex-girlfriend was held captive for at least three days in his room at the George Alleyne Hall at UWI during which she was "tortured" with a clothing iron "and other stuff". Advertisement STATIN to release international merchandise trade data The Statistical Institute of Jamaica (STATIN) will today release international merchandise trade data for the period January to November 2022. The previous International Merchandise Trade bulletin, which outlines information on Jamaica's international trade activities, showed that spending on imports and [earnings from exports]( increased during January-October 2022 relative to the similar period in 2021. Imports for the period amounted to US$6.4 billion, an increase of 33.1 per cent when compared to US$4.8 billion in 2021. Meanwhile, earnings from exports amounted to US$1.4 billion and was 13.8 per cent more than the US$1.3 billion earned in the similar 2021 period. Legal Aid Council to host Justice Fair The Legal Aid Council will host its Justice Fair at the Justice Square on King Street in downtown Kingston (adjacent Supreme Court) on Friday. Among the services that will be available at the fair, which is scheduled to start at 10am, are legal aid, [victim services]( child diversion, wills and estate management, and restorative justice. Minister of Justice Delroy Chuck will bring remarks at the opening ceremony. Chief Justice Bryan Sykes; Custos of Kingston Steadman Fuller; and Member of Parliament for West Kingston Desmond McKenzie will also bring greetings. ICYMI: WHILE YOU WERE SLEEPING Koffee ‘now fine’ says Grange after singer involved in 'altercation' on flight Grammy winner Koffee is reportedly on her way to her final destination in the United States after being questioned by US immigration authorities regarding her [alleged involvement in an altercation during an American Airlines flight]( on Thursday afternoon. Met Service issues flash flood watch for 9 parishes The Meteorological Service has [issued a flash flood watch]( for low-lying and flood-prone areas of St Elizabeth, Manchester, Clarendon, St Catherine, Kingston, St Andrew, St Thomas, Portland and St Mary, effective until 5:00 pm on Friday. HEART Trust to remove fees from all programmes up to Level 4 - Holness All programmes offered by the Government-funded HEART NSTA-Trust up to Level 4 (associate degree) will be [offered free of cost](. CLOVIS TOON TODAY IN HISTORY Jordan becomes majority owner of NBA team On this day in 2010, Michael Jordan became the first ex-player to become a majority owner in the NBA as the league’s Board of Governors unanimously approved Jordan’s US$275 million bid to buy the Charlotte Bobcats from Bob Johnson. 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](.