Staff Editor

VATICAN CITY,  (Reuters) – The Vatican today accused the Italian media of spreading “false and damaging” reports in what it condemned as a deplorable attempt to influence cardinals who will meet in a secret conclave next month to elect a new pope.

(Trinidad Guardian) Two illegal immigrants from Nigeria were arrested on Thursday after the seizure of almost TT$1 million in cocaine.

Police say that at about 0600h today, the partly decomposed body of Gary Deflorimonte called ‘Saddam’, 27 years, of Plaisance Housing Scheme, ECD, was found behind his premises with suspected gunshot injuries.

(Trinidad Express) Former prime minister Patrick Manning was discharged from the San Fernando General Hospital yesterday after suffering a seizure on Thursday evening.

(BBC) Sachin Tendulkar struck his 67th Test half century as India recovered to 182-3, 198 behind Australia, after day two of the first Test in Chennai.

The police say they are investigating a fatal accident that occurred at about 1745h.

The police say they are conducting investigations into the circumstances surrounding the death of Special Corporal Clarence Giles, 57 years, of South Haslington, ECD, whose body was found hanging in his bedroom at about 0600h.

Police say that at about 0300h. today, Administrator of Gold Mines Corporation Christopher Mann, 26 years, of Bon Fin, Brazil, was in a mining camp at Arakaka, NWD, when he was confronted by two men who demanded gold.

(Trinidad Express) As the Government grapples with the rising murder toll, it is moving “quickly” to bring legislation to deny bail to anyone found with illegal firearms or drugs in any quantity.

(Jamaica Gleaner) West Indies star batsman Chris Gayle told reporters yesterday that he has been left drained from a hectic cricketing schedule, which he pointed to as the reason behind his decision to skip the ongoing one-day international series between the regional team and Zimbabwe.

(de Ware Tijd) PARAMARIBO – Complaints the Chinese community aired about visa at the recent celebration of the Chinese New Year are baseless, says Lucretia Redan, head of the Consular Affairs department at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

(Barbados Nation) Minutes after being sworn in for a second stint in Cabinet, Attorney General Adriel Dermont Brathwaite said it was distressing that some Barbadians were selling their votes.

CAIRO,  (Reuters) – Egyptian liberal opposition politician Mohamed ElBaradei called today for a boycott of parliamentary elections which start in April, saying he refused to take part in “an act of deception”.

The main opposition, APNU today said that the allocation of channels 27/78 to China Central TV by the National Communications Network is not above board and the arrangement should be suspended.

(Trinidad Express) Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar used the authority of her office to pre-empt the statement promised by National Security Minister Jack Warner on the issue of the existence of a revamped Flying Squad in Parliament yesterday.

(Reuters) – One FBI employee was fired for sleeping with a drug dealer and lying about it under oath, while another got the boot for bugging the boss’s office.

LONDON/NEW YORK,  (Reuters) – Britain suffered its first ever sovereign ratings downgrade from a major agency on Friday when Moody’s stripped the country of its coveted top-notch triple-A rating, dealing a major blow to finance minister George Osborne.

ST GEORGE’S, Grenada,  CMC – Opener Johnson Charles struck his second consecutive One-Day International hundred while Darren Bravo notched his first ever, as West Indies brushed aside a ragged Zimbabwe by 156 runs in the opening one-dayer here today.

Police say that at about 1420h today,  Manageress Zang Ling Ling, 26 years, of Celina’s, Kitty Seawall, Georgetown, was about to enter a motor vehicle outside of the business place when two men rode up on a motor cycle.

Speaker Raphael Trotman today ruled that Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee will be allowed to fully participate in all facets of parliamentary life despite a successful opposition motion of no confidence against him.