Staff Editor

(Trinidad Guardian) President of the Police Social and Welfare Association Sgt Anand Ramesar has expressed support for government’s plans to provide international training for 200 local police officers.

MIRPUR, Bangladesh,  CMC – West Indies opener Chris Gayle returned to form with a spectacular hundred for Dhaka Gladiators on Friday, to fire them into the final of the Bangladesh Premier League here.

Pressure continues to build on the Guyana Government over the granting of a broadcast licence to China Central TV with the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) being the latest to voice concern on the matter, Thus far, the private sector had been silent on the granting earlier this month of a 24-hour broadcasting licence to CCTV on dubious grounds.

During yesterday, the police say they conducted drug eradication operations in the Berbice River at De Veldt and Kimbia, during which a total of three fields, about three acres in size, with approximately 950 cannabis sativa (marijuana) plants under cultivation were found.

(Jamaica Gleaner) My objective with this column is to both critique and celebrate the island’s performing arts, usually thought of as being dance, drama and music.

VATICAN CITY, (Reuters) – Pope Benedict’s decision to live in the Vatican after he resigns will provide him with security and privacy.

(Jamaica Gleaner) Although the International Monetary Fund (IMF) team in Jamaica has given its support to measures outlined by Finance Minister Dr Peter Phillips, it appears that one major hurdle stands in the way of the finalisation of an extended fund facility that would make US$750 million available to Jamaica over the next four years.

(Trinidad Express) Anthony Thomas Aquinas Carmona is a man of the people.

Police say that at about 1345h today, labourer Winsel Edwards, 33 years, was involved in an argument with a man at Tucville Squatting Area, Georgetown, during which he was stabbed to his abdomen.

KINGSTON, Jamaica,  CMC-Flood Lights will be installed at Jamaica’s famed cricket venue, Sabina Park, in time to allow night matches in the inaugural Caribbean Premier League set to begin in July.

CARACAS,  (Reuters) – Venezuela published the first photos of cancer-stricken Hugo Chavez since his surgery in Cuba more than two months ago, showing him smiling while lying in bed reading a newspaper, flanked by his two daughters.

Funding for a Canadian programme for Caribbean countries including Guyana has been suspended after a report was made by a minister to Ottawa’s public sector integrity commissioner of a possible conflict of interest involving Guyanese Dr Naresh Singh.

(Jamaica Gleaner) Jan Kees Martijn, Head of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) mission to Jamaica, issued the following statement today in Kingston.

(Barbados Nation) A dramatic turn of events could lead to a three-man race for the election of the president of the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB).

(Trinidad Express) Ian Alvarez (Bunji Garlin) and his wife, Fay-Ann Lyons Alvarez, are both very happy for SuperBlue, who is Lyons’ father.

(Trinidad Express) National Petroleum (NP) chairman Neil Gosine said he remained very concerned and shaken after the firebombing of his Valsayn home, which occurred early Carnival Monday morning while he and his family slept.

(Trinidad Express) Businessman Christopher Aleong was gunned down outside his home on December 2, 2003 while resisting an attempt by men to kidnap him for ransom.

(Reuters) – More than 500 people were injured when a meteorite shot across the sky and exploded over central Russia today, sending fireballs crashing to Earth, shattering windows and damaging buildings.

PRETORIA,  (Reuters) – South African ‘Blade Runner’ Oscar Pistorius broke down in tears today after he was charged in court with shooting dead his girlfriend in his Pretoria house.

LOS ANGELES, (Reuters) – Maggie Smith’s sarcastic dowager Countess may be the star of British period drama “Downton Abbey,” but the award-winning actress says she has never watched the TV series.