Staff Editor

CARACAS,  (Reuters) – Opposition leaders derided another currency devaluation by President Hugo Chavez’s government as evidence of economic incompetence, while some anxious Venezuelans hit shops today in fear of price increases.

BOSTON/NEW YORK, (Reuters) – A record-breaking blizzard packing hurricane-force winds hammered the northeastern United States today, cutting power to 700,000 homes and businesses, shutting down travel and leaving at least four people dead.

BOGOTA,  (Reuters) – A strong earthquake rocked southwestern Colombia today rattling residents near the border with Ecuador, but there were no reports of deaths or major damage, authorities said.

BERLIN, (Reuters) – Germany’s education minister will resign on Saturday after being stripped of her doctorate over plagiarism charges, sources from the ruling coalition said, an embarrassment for Chancellor Angela Merkel as she campaigns to win a third term in office.

(Jamaica Gleaner) The Jamaican entertainer at the centre of a bribery case involving a former security official at the United States (US) Embassy in Kingston will automatically lose his American visa and could face criminal prosecution, a US-based attorney has revealed.

RIYADH, (Reuters) – Syrian President Bashar al-Assad could survive two more years of revolt despite U.S.

BRUSSELS,  (Reuters) – A small passenger plane crashed at Belgium’s Charleroi airport today, killing five people and closing the international hub used by Ryanair and other low-cost carriers.

(Trinidad Express) Gang warfare yesterday claimed the lives of a father and his two sons who had nothing to do with an on-going battle between gangs from Beetham Gardens and Laventille.

The Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport today awarded a $176M contract to BK International for the construction of two stands at the northern side of the National Synthetic track,  at Leonora, West Coast Demerara.

The Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport today awarded a $176M contract to BK International for the construction of two stands at the northern side of the National Synthetic track,  at Leonora, West Coast Demerara.

(WICB) ST. JOHN’S, Antigua – Christopher Barnwell said he was delighted to be heading off to the Indian Premier League in April, but wants to ensure that he is viewed as more than a Twenty20 basher.

The Georgetown leg of the Children’s Mashramani Competitions concluded today with  physical display at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall in various categories.

The Georgetown leg of the Children’s Mashramani Competitions concluded today with physical display at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall in various categories.

(Jamaica Gleaner) Former Premier of the Turks and Caicos Islands Michael Misick has been released from prison in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

BOSTON/NEW YORK,  (Reuters) – A blizzard slammed into the northeastern United States today, snarling traffic, disrupting thousands of flights and prompting five governors to declare states of emergency in the face of a fearsome snowstorm.

SYDNEY, Australia,  CMC-West Indies middle order batsman Keiron Pollard says he did not regret enduring pain in an effort to rescue his side although they lost the fourth ODI against Australia today.

CUTTACK, India, CMC – West Indies Women survived a now familiar batting slump before steadying themselves to beat South Africa Women by two wickets, in their opening Super Six game of the ICC Women’s World Cup here today.

Police say that investigations are being conducted into a fire of so far unknown origin that occurred at about 2200h last night at Grant Everette-Regina, Lower Pomeroon River, and which resulted in the death of 1-year-old Neo Blount.

The total public debt (external and domestic) was US$1.7B as of March 31, 2012 compared to the figure of US$2.1B at September 30, 1992.

Minister of Public Works Robeson Benn yesterday told the National Assembly that there are no plans at present to reduce the Berbice River Bridge toll this year.