Morning Bites: 5 things to know for Thursday: Hurricane Season; Integrity Commission; Gas Prices; Clovis Toon; Breaking News and more

Morning Bites: 5 things to know for Thursday, June 1, 2023 2023 Atlantic Hurricane season starts The [2023 Atlantic Hurricane season gets underway]( today and will run until November 30. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has said that there is a 40 per cent chance of a near-normal season, a 30 per cent chance of an above-average season (more storms than usual) and a 30 per cent chance of a below-normal season. The US federal agency has forecasted 12 to 17 named storms, with five to nine becoming hurricanes and one to four powering into major hurricanes with winds greater than 110 mph. Normal is 14 named storms, with seven becoming hurricanes and three of them major hurricanes. Select Committee examining Integrity Commission Act meets in camera The meeting today of the Joint Select Committee of the Parliament that is reviewing the Integrity Commission Act, 2017 will be held in camera, meaning it will not be open to the press or public. The review has attracted a lot of public interest. Cabinet minister Everald Warmington in March [called for the prosecutorial powers vested in the Integrity Commission, through the post of director of corruption prosecution, to be removed](. Also, he wants the Act to be amended to give people against whom the commission makes adverse findings an opportunity to respond before reports are tabled in Parliament. Motorists to pay more for gasoline, less for diesel Motorists should see an increase in the price of gasoline and a decrease in the price of diesel when they fill up at the pumps today. The price movements are based on the latest price listing released on Wednesday by Petrojam, the state-owned oil refinery. [See price listing here](. Advertisement Former US VP Pence to announce White House bid next week Former US vice president Mike Pence [plans to announce his 2024 White House candidacy next week,]( Donald Trump for the Republican nomination, US media reported on Wednesday. The 63-year-old Pence will launch his presidential campaign on June 7 with a speech in Iowa, the midwestern state that traditionally kicks off the primary season, CNN and other outlets said. The 76-year-old Trump announced in November that he was making a third bid for the White House and is the clear frontrunner in an increasingly crowded field seeking the Republican nomination. Messi on verge of deciding where he will next play football Lionel Messi is expected to decide in the coming hours where he will be playing his football next season - the only thing that seems certain is that it will not be at Barcelona, the BBC is reporting. Messi would have liked nothing more than to return to the place that was his home since he left Argentina as a 12-year-old in pursuit of his footballing dream. But his camp has told Barcelona the decision on his future is imminent and they cannot wait any longer for a proposal from them that has not arrived, despite promises the Catalan club would have something in place by now. The 35-year-old World Cup winner wants to stay in Europe but, after it was decided he would leave Paris St-Germain this summer, the forthcoming offers from the continent have not been attractive enough. ICYMI: WHILE YOU WERE SLEEPING Zavia Mayne cited for possible conflict of interest by Integrity Commission Newly-appointed Minister of State in the Ministry of Finance, Zavia Mayne has been[implicated in a possible conflict of interest by the Integrity Commission]( in relation to the purchase of 200 acres of land at Caymanas Estate by the Factories Corporation of Jamaica (FCJ), from the Urban Corporation of Jamaica (UDC) in June, 2011. No spike in patty price - Tastee There has been [no adjustment made to the price of its patties]( according to Tastee Limited. Kartel reportedly battling Graves’ disease, heart conditions It has emerged online that Vybz Kartel, the incarcerated dancehall star, is [suffering from an autoimmune disorder known as Graves’ disease]( which, coupled with two alleged heart conditions, makes his present situation “life-threatening”. CLOVIS TOON TODAY IN HISTORY General Motors declares bankruptcy On this day in 2009, General Motors filed for Chapter 11, becoming the largest US industrial company to enter bankruptcy protection. 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](.