Morning Bites: 5 things to know for Wednesday: TS Bret; Summer heat; JDs for politicians; Clovis Toon; Breaking News and more

Morning Bites: 5 things to know for Wednesday, June 21, 2023 Bret not a threat – Met Service The Meteorological Service of Jamaica says the [risk of threat for Jamaica from Tropical Storm Bret has been reduced]( due to unfavourable conditions being encountered by the system. Bret is now expected to dissipate by weekend over the central Caribbean Sea. Summer is here with hotter-than-normal temperatures Jamaica marks the official start of summer today with [hotter-than-normal temperatures]( being experienced across the island. Director General of the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management, Richard Thompson said in a Radio Jamaica interview yesterday that the country is experiencing about two degrees celsius above the normal temperature at this time of the year. However, he noted that the country is not experiencing a heat wave, which are abnormally high temperatures, "about six degrees above your normal, and for a protracted period of time", Thompson explained. Lawmakers get job descriptions Jamaicans will now for the first time see what the job description of a Member of Parliament (MP) should look like, the qualifications of an MP and what competencies they should bring to the job. Prime Minister Andrew Holness on Tuesday [tabled a Green Paper in the House of Representatives outlining the job description for MPs](. He also tabled a White Paper detailing the job description for Cabinet members. They will now go to a select committee of the House for deliberation and ratification. The prime minister had promised the job descriptions following public outcry over the more than 200 per cent salary increases granted to MPs and Cabinet Ministers. Advertisement 65-y-o on cocaine charges to be sentenced A 65-year-old woman who was nabbed on cocaine charges is to be [sentenced in the Kingston and St Andrew Parish Court today](. The court was told that on May 26, Valerie Reid was caught at the Norman Manley International Airport with four pounds of cocaine. Reid pleaded guilty to the charges of possession of cocaine, dealing in cocaine, attempting to expert cocaine and conspiracy to export cocaine. Race against clock as search continues for missing sub In a [race against the clock on the high seas]( an expanding international armada of ships and airplanes searched Tuesday for a submersible that vanished in the North Atlantic while taking five people down to the wreck of the Titanic. US Coast Guard officials said the search covered 10,000 square miles (26,000 square kilometers) but turned up no sign of the lost sub known as the Titan. Although rescuers planned to continue looking, time was running out because the vessel would have less than two days of oxygen left if it is still intact and functioning. ICYMI: WHILE YOU WERE SLEEPING BOJ to investigate possible defective banknotes On Tuesday, the Bank of Jamaica (BOJ) announced that it is conducting an [investigation into allegations of defective polymer banknotes]( following a viral social media post. Schoolgirl, 'mother' fight at bus stop There was drama in Kingston on Monday after an Excelsior High School student and a woman, said to be her mother, [got into a fight]( much to the delight of other schoolchildren. Charges filed in death of young teacher hit while changing flat tyre A woman suspected of drunken driving was [charged in the death]( of a young teacher who was struck while changing a flat tyre along Interstate 94 in suburban Detroit. CLOVIS TOON TODAY IN HISTORY Reagan shooter Hinckley Jr found not guilty On this day in 1982, John Hinckley Jr is found not guilty by reason of insanity for shooting US President Ronald Reagan and three others. 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](.