Staff Editor

LAUSANNE,  (Reuters) – Wrestling was left in a state of shock after the International Olympic Committee (IOC) made a surprise recommendation today to drop the sport from the 2020 Games.

BUSTO ARSIZIO, Italy (Reuters) – Italian police arrested the head of defence group Finmeccanica SpA today on a warrant alleging that he paid bribes to win an Indian contract, adding to a wave of corporate scandals shaking Italy before a general election.

(WICB) Brisbane, Australia – Chris Gayle is ready to return to his spot at the top of the batting order for West Indies and he is looking to make an impact in the one-off T20 International against Australia at the Gabba.

Broadcast expert Kit Nascimento has expressed shock at the granting by the Guyana Government of a licence and broadcast frequency to the Government of China saying it has given a foreign power the right to transmit here without being subject to regulatory requirements and the principles that should underpin licensing.

(Jamaica Gleaner) Cash-strapped, debt-ridden and struggling to stay afloat, Jamaica is to embark on a second debt-exchange programme starting today.

(Barbados Nation) Digicel Barbados could be one step closer to entering the local landline market following a Fair Trading Commission (FTC) decision, according to chief executive officer of Digicel, Barry O’Brien.

VIENNA,  (Reuters) – North Korea’s nuclear test may be aimed at showing its foes it can deliver a missile with a warhead but it is still a long way from being able to threaten the United States, experts said.

BASSETERRE, St. Kitts,  CMC- Iconic sprinter Kim Collins says he does not owe any money in child support following his arrest as he prepared to leave the country.

MEXICO CITY,  (Reuters) – Latin America senses an opportunity to break Europe’s grip on the papacy as Pope Benedict’s decision today to step down stirs hopes the world’s biggest Roman Catholic bloc may finally get to lead the Church.

Guyana’s Finance Minister Dr Ashni Singh says the country’s debt levels are lower now than they were in 1992 and more importantly they are sustainable.

(Jamaica Observer) MANDEVILLE, Manchester — A geo-scientist at Northern Caribbean University (NCU) Dr Mark Harris has a tried and proven formula that could transform the island’s potentially harmful bauxite/alumina red mud lakes into lush, tree-growing areas in less than two years.

MUMBAI, India,  CMC-A crucial ninth wicket stand between Shanel Daley and Anisa Mohammed upstaged performances from Stafanie Taylor and Deandra Dottin as West Indies women defeated New Zealand Women by 48 runs in their second Super Six, second round match in the ICC Women’s World Cup at Brabourne Stadium here today.

(Jamaica Gleaner) The man entrusted by the United States (US) to monitor the gamut of its military-related affairs in approximately 31 countries and 15 areas of special sovereignty in the Western Hemisphere is urging the Portia Simpson Miller administration to be unyielding in its efforts to rid Jamaica of corruption.

ROME,  (Reuters) – Pope Benedict surprised the world today by saying he no longer had the mental and physical strength to cope with the demands of his ministry, becoming the first pontiff to step down since the Middle Ages and leaving his aides “incredulous”.

Delta Airlines will be pulling its service out of Guyana. “As of right now we are pulling our service from Georgetown Guyana “ , a United States-based customer  representative told Stabroek News today.

(Trinidad Express) Five people were killed instantly in Tobago in a head-on collision along the Claude Noel Highway early yesterday.

(Reuters) – Despite a blizzard in the US Northeast, “Identity Thief,” a newly released comedy starring Melissa McCarthy, collected $36.6 million in weekend ticket sales in the United States and Canada, making it the top-performing film.

LOS ANGELES,  (Reuters) – “We Are Young” by indie-pop trio FUN.

LOS ANGELES,  (Reuters) – R&B singer Chris Brown showed up smiling at the Grammy Awards show today, saying he was just a little banged up after crashing his car into a wall on the eve of the annual music industry awards.

(Jamaica Gleaner) KINGSTON, Jamaica – Reggae icon Jimmy Cliff has won the Grammy Award for Best Reggae Album for the album Rebirth.