Morning Bites: 5 things to know for Tuesday: Lee-Chin returns; Consumer prices; Today's Weather; Clovis Toon; Breaking News and more

Morning Bites: 5 things to know for Tuesday, July 18, 2023 Lee-Chin back on the job at NCB NCB Financial Group chairman Michael Lee-Chin is [back on the job at the company after cutting his leave of absence short](. It is understood that he plans to play a more active role in the day-to-day management of the company, with both the CEO of the NCB Financial Group, Patrick Hylton and his deputy Dennis Cohen being on vacation. It was announced in late May that Lee-Chin would take an extended leave of absence – expected to last approximately three months – from NCBFG to attend to business and personal matters. His return follows him publicly expressing unhappiness over the non-declaration of a dividend by the company in more than two years. NWC, workers ‘could end dispute today’ Trade unions engaged with the government over the claims for improved salaries for their members at the National Water Commission (NWC) are [optimistic that the dispute will end today](. The parties have had several meetings, lasting into the night on several occasions at the Ministry of Labour and Social Security (MLSS) to avoid another strike threat from the five unions involved. Sources say the change of the union’s position from promoting a strike, which could seriously hamper the distribution of water across the island in the midst of one of the warmest period in memory, came about after and intervention by Minister of Finance Dr Nigel Clarke hours before the end of the 72-strike ultimatum which had been issued to the NWC. June Consumer Price Index up one per cent - STATIN The Statistical Institute of Jamaica (STATIN) is reporting that the All-Jamaica Consumer Price Index (CPI) [increased by 1.0 per cent for the month of June 2023](. STATIN said the upward movement was influenced by an increase of 1.3 per cent in the index for the heaviest weighted division, ‘Food and Non-Alcoholic Beverages’. It said the inflation rate for June was also influenced by the divisions, ‘Restaurant and Accommodation Services’ up by 4.2 per cent and ‘Furnishings, Household Equipment and Routine Household Maintenance’ increasing by 6.4 per cent. Advertisement JMMB hosts SME workshop JMMB will today host another in its series of workshops targeting small and medium-sized enterprises. Today’s focus will be on how to develop a strategic public relations plan which can add value by increasing the visibility of your products and services, personalising your brand, raising your business's profile, building strong client relationships and managing your business's reputation. Start time for today’s workshop is 6:30 pm Jamaica time and 7:30 pm Trinidad and Tobago time. It will be held under the theme: ‘Powering your business with public relations’ and will be broadcast via Zoom. Reggae Sumfest’s All White affair [Reggae Sumfest]( on Tuesday with the highly anticipated all-white party at Pier 1 in Montego Bay, St James. The event will feature music by DJ Courtney, DJ Narity and DJ Theron. Tickets are US$40 pre-sold and US$50 at the gate. Sumfest 2023 kicked off on Sunday with a family fun day at the Catherine Hall Entertainment Centre. It culminates on Friday, July 21 and Saturday, July 22 at the Catherine Hall Entertainment centre for two nights of performances by Jamaica’s top artistes. TODAY'S WEATHER FORECAST Expect showers and isolated thunderstorms across eastern parishes this morning, otherwise it is expected to be mostly cloudy, the Meteorological Service of Jamaica has advised. Scattered showers and thunderstorms are expected across most parishes in the afternoon while it is anticipated to be windy along coastal areas. ICYMI: WHILE YOU WERE SLEEPING Jamaica’s ‘Whisper’ included in Chelsea’s 29-man squad to the USA Jamaican starlet Dujuan "Whisper" Richards has been [named among 29 players for Chelsea's pre-season tour of the US](. JCF mourns death of trainee constable The High Command of the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) says it is deeply [saddened over the death of trainee constable Rayandre Pike](. Pike drowned at the Tranquility Bay training facility in Treasure Beach, St Elizabeth on Monday morning. Embiid wants NBA title: 'in Philly or anywhere else' Philadelphia 76ers star Joel Embiid has given fans a jolt with an interview gaining steam on social media on Monday discussing [his desire to win an NBA title "in Philly or anywhere else."]( CLOVIS TOON TODAY IN HISTORY Jane Austen dead at 41 On this day in 1817, English novelist Jane Austen, the author of classics such as Sense and Sensibility and Pride and Prejudice, died in Winchester, Hampshire. She was 41. 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](.