Morning Bites: 5 things to know for Monday: Children return to school; Politician back in court; Today's Weather; Clovis Toon; Breaking News and more

Morning Bites: 5 things to know for Monday, September 4, 2023 Children return to the classroom Tens of thousands of Jamaican children will be [returning to the classroom]( this morning following the two-month long summer break. The Minister of Education, Fayval Williams in her back to school message on Sunday, said that despite the number of teachers leaving the classroom (more than 850 this year), “there are enough high quality teachers available to support the teaching and learning process at the highest standards”. “We are ready to empower our students for success in the ever evolving world, she added. JLP councillor David Brown returns to court on assault charge Jamaica Labour Party Councillor for the Montego Bay West Division, David Brown is scheduled to return to court today on charges of assault and malicious destruction of property. Today’s date was set when Brown last appeared in court in July. He was charged after he [allegedly kicked in the glass of a vehicle]( belonging to the daughter of a Government minister. He also reportedly assaulted her. Following the altercation, Brown was reportedly suspended from the party. Ten receive scholarships under GG’s Summer of Service programme Ten outstanding participants in the Governor-General’s I Believe Initiative's (IBI) 2023 Summer of Service (SOS) programme were recently presented with scholarships during an award ceremony at King’s House. The scholarships are tenable at local tertiary institutions. In his remarks, Governor-General Sir Patrick Allen congratulated the recipients on their successful participation in the programme and the impactful contributions made to their communities. The SOS programme, which is a pivotal component of the I Believe Initiative, was inaugurated in 2013. Since its inception, 148 students have received assistance, many of whom have graduated and are now actively contributing to sectors vital to Jamaica's advancement. Advertisement Erdogan, Putin meet in bid to reestablish Black Sea grain deal Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan will meet with Vladimir Putin today, hoping to persuade the Russian leader to rejoin the [Black Sea grain deal that Moscow pulled out of in July](. The meeting in Sochi on Russia’s southern coast comes after weeks of speculation about when and where the two leaders might meet. The Kremlin refused to renew the grain agreement six weeks ago. The deal — brokered by the United Nations and Turkey in July 2022 — had allowed nearly 33 million metric tons (36 million tons) of grain and other commodities to leave three Ukrainian ports safely despite the ongoing war. Monday’s football gossip Chelsea cleared the path for Tottenham to sign England midfielder James Maddison, 26, in the summer because he did not fit the age profile of their transfer targets. [(Football Insider)]( Former Manchester United and Spain goalkeeper David de Gea, 32, is among a number of players available on free transfers that are interesting Saudi clubs. [(Marca)]( Atletico Madrid and Belgium winger Yannick Carrasco, 29, is set to move to Saudi Pro League side Al Shabab for £12.8m. [(ESPN)]( Manager Wayne Rooney's hopes of re-signing Jamaica midfielder Ravel Morrison, 30, England midfielder Jesse Lingard, 30, and Ghana forward Andre Ayew, 33, who are all free agents, have been dashed by salary-cap issues at MLS side DC United. [(Washington Post)]( TODAY'S WEATHER FORECAST Some sections of the island are expected to receive rain today. According to the Meteorological Service of Jamaica, isolated morning showers are likely across eastern parishes, otherwise it is expected to be partly cloudy. Showers and thunderstorms are anticipated across sections of northern and southwestern parishes in the afternoon. ICYMI: WHILE YOU WERE SLEEPING Westmoreland man mourns death of soulmate killed by police service vehicle The [death of his common-law-wife]( a day after his nephew's grave digging has caused retired groundsman, 66-year-old Kenrick Forrester, to sink further into grief. Back-to-school checklist: Preparing your child for the new academic year With last-minute shopping completed and another school year only a day away, parents are now thinking about how to help their children prepare for the first day of school. A[back-to-school checklist]( is a great way to ensure that the whole family is ready for this important milestone. Meadows gets nod to represent PNP in Trelawny Northern Former Government Senator Dennis Meadows was [selected as the People's National Party's (PNP) standard- bearer for Trelawny Northern]( during a selection process in Falmouth on Sunday. CLOVIS TOON TODAY IN HISTORY Michael Jackson laid to rest On this day in 2009, a private funeral was held in Glendale, California, for pop superstar Michael Jackson, whose body was entombed in a mausoleum more than two months after his death. 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](.