Morning Bites: 5 things to know for Thursday: New banknotes; Salaries protest; Fuel prices; Clovis Toon; Breaking News and more

Morning Bites: 5 things to know for Thursday, June 15, 2023 New banknotes now available to the public – BOJ The Bank of Jamaica (BOJ) has advised that the [new series of Jamaica polymer banknotes]( will be available over the counter at Bank of Jamaica, effective today. In this regard, effective today, through to Friday, June 23, the central bank will be extending its opening hours to the public. The bank will be opened from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm to accommodate customers who may wish to exchange the old series of banknotes for new polymer banknotes. Advocates Network to stage protest against massive salary increases for politicians The Advocates Network is encouraging Jamaicans to come out in their numbers to [protest the massive salary increases]( that the country’s politicians have given themselves. The network is encouraging Jamaicans, regardless of which political party they support to “unite around this issue”. Today’s protest will take place at Heroes Circle, across from the Ministry of Finance and is scheduled to run from 12 noon until 2:00 pm. Samuda to participate in ‘Greater Caribbean - EU Regional Conference on Sargassum’ Minister without Portfolio in the Ministry of Economic Growth & Job Creation, Senator Matthew Samuda is now in the Dominican Republic where he will participate in the ‘Greater Caribbean - EU Regional Conference on [Sargassum]( today, in the city of Santo Domingo. The objective of the conference is to bring together the authorities that manage the coastlines of the Caribbean basin and the Gulf of Mexico, as well as the scientific and private communities, non-governmental organisations, and actors involved in research, monitoring, prevention, and containment, use, treatment, recovery, and disposal of sargassum biomass. Advertisement Concerns over bauxite reclamation process Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining, Floyd Green, has voiced his dissatisfaction with the current reclamation process carried out by several bauxite companies operating in Jamaica. Speaking at the 4th staging of the St Bess Agri Fest in Santa Cruz, St Elizabeth recently, Green acknowledged the significant contribution of the bauxite industry to the nation's economy, but emphasised the importance of striking a balance between economic development and environmental protection. The reclamation process is the restoration and rehabilitation of lands that have been affected by mining activities. "Unfortunately, we have noticed several instances where the reclamation process has fallen short of our expectations, and this is a matter of great concern,” Green said. Fuel prices up marginally Motorists will be paying slightly more for fuel as of today, June 15, according to the latest price listing from Petrojam, the state-owned oil refinery. [See full price list here.]( ICYMI: WHILE YOU WERE SLEEPING WATCH: Police renew appeal for information in 8-y-o’s murder case Police on Wednesday [renewed their appeal to the public]( anyone with information relating to the death of eight-year-old Danielle Rowe to come forward. Musgrave Market fire not arson, says McKenzie Investigators have [ruled out arson as the cause]( of the May 28 fire at the historic Musgrave Market in Portland. Father fakes his own death to teach family a lesson — then shows up at funeral in helicopter A Belgian TikToker [faked his own death then showed up to his funeral in a helicopter]( instead of a hearse. CLOVIS TOON TODAY IN HISTORY Barker steps down as 'The Price is Right' host On this day in 2007, after more than 30 years, American game show host Bob Barker stepped down as host of The Price Is Right. 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](.