Morning Bites: 5 things to know for Friday: Nigel vows fiscal discipline; PNP candidates; Today's Weather; Clovis Toon; Breaking News and more

Morning Bites: 5 things to know for Friday, October 20, 2023 Nigel vows continued fiscal discipline Finance Minister Dr Nigel Clarke says the decision by Moody’s Investors to upgrade the Government of Jamaica’s (GOJ) long-term issuer and senior unsecured ratings from ‘B2’ to ‘B1’ “is yet another testament to the [effectiveness of the GOJ’s economic policy framework]( in improving Jamaica’s economic independence and creating an environment that is attractive to investment and that supports jobs and growth.” Moody’s also revised the outlook for Jamaica from stable to positive. The decision to upgrade the rating reflects Moody’s analysis that the GOJ, faced with various external shocks, maintained a steadfast commitment to sustainable fiscal policy anchored on Jamaica’s medium-term debt target. PNP to present candidates for St Mary for upcoming elections The People’s National Party (PNP) will on Sunday present its candidates for the Local Government Elections due by February next year and the General Election constitutionally due by 2025. The presentation ceremony will take place at the St Mary High School at 5:00 pm and will be addressed by PNP President, Mark Golding. Also in attendance will be PNP General Secretary, Dr Dayton Campbell, and PNP Chairman, Dr Angela Brown-Burke. Justices of the Peace Sensitisation Programme The Ministry of Justice will today host a sensitisation session for the Justices of the Peace Parish Associations of Manchester, Clarendon and St Elizabeth. The programme forms part of the ministry’s continued efforts to strengthen the capacity of Justices of the Peace (JPs) and sensitise JP Association executive members to policies and procedures that will broaden their scope of service delivery. Justice Minister Delroy Chuck, will deliver remarks, so too the Custos of Manchester, Garfield Green, and the Custos of Clarendon, William Shagoury. Advertisement Jamaica Defence Force Cyberthon Young persons are being encouraged to register for the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) CodeSprint-Cyberthon, to be held today. The event, which is being staged as part of Cyber Awareness Month, aims to empower young people to know more about cyber threats. Officer Commanding the Institute of Cyber Science at the Caribbean Military Academy at the JDF, Major Moniphia Hewling, told JIS News that the Cyberthon promises to deliver. “It will be filled with fun cyber activities and competitions. It’s a heightened version of a hackathon, where the participants are given a theme and they identify issues within those themes and come up with tech-based solutions,” she outlined. Cricket to feature at 2028 Los Angeles Olympics Cricket [will feature as one of five new sports at the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles]( after being approved on Monday in a vote of the International Olympic Committee's session. The IOC's executive board last week accepted a proposal by LA organisers for cricket's Twenty20 format, together with baseball/softball, flag football, squash and lacrosse, to be included. But the final choice still had to be voted on Monday at the IOC session in Mumbai, one of the global centres for cricket, as India hosts the men's 50-over Cricket World Cup. TODAY'S WEATHER FORECAST According to the Meteorological Service of Jamaica, partly cloudy conditions are anticipated today with afternoon showers mainly across northern and southwestern parishes, and thunderstorms mainly across northern parishes. Lingering night-time thunderstorm is also expected. ICYMI: WHILE YOU WERE SLEEPING WATCH: Firefighters battle blaze at Cool Energy on Spanish Town Road Firefighters [battled a blaze at Cool Energy on Spanish Town Road]( in St Andrew on Thursday. Marlon Wayans says he is being unfairly prosecuted after being racially targeted by gate agent Actor and comedian Marlon Wayans says he is being unfairly prosecuted for disturbing the peace over a dispute with an airline employee who he [alleges targeted him because of his race](. Bounty Killer in UK for first visit in 15 years Veteran dancehall artiste Bounty Killer has [touched down in the United Kingdom for the first time in more than a decade](. This after his UK work permit was reinstated recently. CLOVIS TOON TODAY IN HISTORY Lynyrd Skynyrd members die in plane crash On this day in 1977, three members of the rock group Lynyrd Skynyrd, including lead singer Ronnie Van Zant, were killed along with three others in the crash of a chartered plane near McComb, Mississippi. 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](.