Staff Editor

(Jamaica Gleaner) The Government yesterday revealed that Hurricane Sandy caused severe damage to public infrastructure and crops in several parishes, and has vowed that even with the tight economic constraints, it will find the funds to address some of the worst-hit areas.

(Trinidad Express) Legal history was created yesterday when a judge accepted the guilty plea of three men on the charge of murder.

(Barbados Nation) A doctor is warning Barbadians to stay away from high-energy drinks, the type now the focus of the United States consumer watchdog.

MAZAR-E-SHARIF, Afghanistan, (Reuters) – A suicide bomber killed at least 40 people in a mosque in Afghanistan’s relatively peaceful north today as worshippers gathered for prayers marking the Muslim Eid al-Adha holiday, police officials said.

(Trinidad Express) There was thunderous applause and cheerful shouts from the floor of the UWI SPEC, St Augustine yesterday as blind student Anil Waithe graduated with a BSc in Information Technology (IT).

(Trinidad Express) Communications Minister Jamal Mohammed yesterday apologised for his attack on the media through personal e-mails to Express and TV6 journalists, saying he did not know he could not divide his personal and professional portfolios.

(Trinidad Express) Express Political Editor Ria Taitt is scheduled to appear before Sir Anthony Colman today, as he attempts to determine her source for a story which reported on the witness statement of Lawrence Duprey to the commission of enquiry into the collapse of CL Financial and the Hindu Credit Union.

HAVANA,  (Reuters) – Hurricane Sandy hit Cuba with a surprising jolt today, slamming the island with winds that reached 110 miles per hour (177 kph) and leaving a trail of destruction, especially in the historic city of Santiago de Cuba.

(Reuters) – Top trainer Emanuel Steward, a former amateur boxer who worked with several world champions and was also a respected television commentator, died in a Chicago hospital today aged 68.

Guyanese-born linguist Indranie Shah, half of the famous Indranie and Nadira Shah dancing troupe died last evening following illness, her sister Dr Seeta Shah, Director of the Guyana Learning Channel confirmed.

Chairman of the Private Sector Commission Ronald Webster today expressed grave concern at what his commission has described as `dogfighting’ in the National Assembly and says if the situation continues there could be a “lockdown” of parliament.

The police say they are investigating the murder of Herman Ramnarine, 56 years of Lima, Essequibo Coast, which occurred at about 2015h yesterday.

EZjet founder Sonny Ramdeo has stepped down from his post as Chief Executive Officer to remove any doubt about the “viability” of the airline in the wake of a lawsuit by his former employer accusing him of embezzlement.

MELBOURNE,  (Reuters) – Banker Jacquie Hey broke more than a century of male exclusivity when she was unanimously voted onto the board of Cricket Australia (CA) today.

WASHINGTON,  (Reuters) – Former U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell today endorsed Barack Obama in his bid for re-election, citing the Democratic president’s efforts to wind down the war in Afghanistan and tackling terrorism.

(Jamaica Gleaner) Well-known crime fighter Terrence Bent, who heads the Kingston Western Police Division, was yesterday shot by unknown assailants.

(Jamaica Gleaner) Hurricane Sandy barrelled into Jamaica yesterday and left hours later with damage estimated at several billion dollars in its wake.

(Trinidad Express) A letter was sent to the Prime Minister six months ago, calling for an investigation into allegations of corruption into several mega-construction projects, president of the Joint Consultative Council for the Construction Industry (JCC) Afra Raymond has said.

(Trinidad Express) Communication Minister Jamal Mohammed yesterday came under fire for attacking TV6 and the Express under the veil of a personal and private opinion.

HAVANA,  (Reuters) – Hurricane Sandy, strengthening rapidly after crossing the warm Caribbean Sea, slammed into southeastern Cuba early today with 105 mph winds that cut power and blew over trees across the city of Santiago de Cuba.