Staff Editor

(Jamaica Observer) Less than 24 hours after the nation was rocked by the gruesome slaying of 14-year-old Shariefa Saddler, Jamaicans yesterday woke up to the macabre murder of another child — this time a five-year-old.

Guyanese, Mohan Jagnarine, the chief executive officer of Spur Tree Spices Jamaica Limited, says it is costing the company J$15 million to retrofit new space in the Garmex complex where its factory will be relocated.

NEW YORK,  (Reuters) – Former Mayor Edward Koch, who presided over New York City during the turbulent late 1970s and ’80s and came to personify the city with his wry and outspoken style, died today at the age of 88, his spokesman said.

The community of Linden suffered a 12-hour blackout commencing on Wednesday night due to circuitry issues with Bosai’s power distribution with power being restored yesterday midday.

The acting Commissioner of Police Leroy Brumell has made the following new postings at Command level within the Police Force, with effect from today, a release from Police headquarters, Eve Leary said.

PERTH, Australia,  CMC – Lethargic West Indies were bowled out for their lowest ever One-Day International score against Australia, as they made a calamitous start to their five-match series with an embarrassing nine-wicket defeat here today.

Improved facilities are in place now at the Arapaima Primary School, Lethem following $2.78M worth of works spearheaded by the Civil Defence Commission (CDC) and other agencies.

A 33 year old miner was last night gunned down in the Meadowbrook home he was staying at the time after a gunman jumped the gate and fired a volley of shots, killing him instantly.

(Trinidad Express) The latest unemployment figures for this country is just below six per cent, reported Planning Minister Dr Bhoendradatt Tewarie.

(Trinidad Express) CALYPSONIAN “The Baron” or the “Sweet Soca Man”, is not singing too sweetly these days after he was robbed of his TT$50,000 bracelet in East Port of Spain.

(Trinidad Express) Former executive chairman of the collapsed CL Financial conglomerate (CLF) Lawrence Duprey is criticising the sale of select assets of the empire he created.

PERTH, Australia,  CMC-Scans are being carried out on two West Indies cricketers to determine their ability to play against Australia in the first One Day International at the WACA tonight.

At about 0500h today, police ranks went to the home of Leon Alphonso, 38 years of Danielstown, Essequibo Coast, who is believed to be mentally unstable.

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa,  (Reuters) – Russell Wasendorf Sr., who admitted looting more than $100 million from broker Peregrine Financial Group in a scheme that shook confidence in the U.S.

MUMBAI, India,  CMC – West Indies Women batting woes continued here today as they slumped to a heavy loss to hosts India in the opening match of the ICC Women’s World Cup.

(Jamaica Gleaner) The Commissioner of Police Owen Ellington has ordered that all weapons training be suspended at the Jamaica Police Academy following last night’s death of a policeman during a training exercise.

President Donald Ramotar this week joined Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh at the opening of the 13th Delhi Sustainable Development Summit (DSDS) in the Indian capital, New Delhi, under the theme `The Global Challenge of Resource Efficient Growth and Development’, according to a release from the Office of the President.

BEIRUT/AMMAN,  (Reuters) – Syria warned today of a possible “surprise” response to Israel’s attack on its territory and Russia condemned the air strike as an unprovoked violation of international law.

COPENHAGEN, (Reuters) – Danish cyclist Michael Rasmussen admitted today to more than a decade of doping after making a tell-all deal with anti-doping authorities.

George McDonald has been appointed Co-Managing Director/Marketing Director of Banks DIH Limited as of January 19, 2013.