Staff Editor

(Jamaica Gleaner) The St Catherine South police are reporting that they have seized another illegal high-powered weapon.

(Jamaica Gleaner) The Police High Command has condemned the murder of Police Corporal Ransford Durrant.

LONDON,  (Reuters) – Global funding for the fight against malaria has stalled in the past two years, threatening to reverse what the World Health Organisation (WHO) says are “remarkable recent gains” in the battle to control one of the world’s leading infectious killers.

The Alliance For Change today urged that candidates for the top two positions in the Judiciary be identified and confirmed so as to avoid this branch of the state falling victim to the current difficulties and suspicions that have enmeshed the executive and the legislature.

(Trinidad Guardian) Investigations are continuing into the seizure of more than TT$2 million worth in cocaine.

(Trinidad Guardian) The spiralling crime situation in Laventille and nearby districts in east Port-of-Spain is impacting negatively on the development of those communities.

(Jamaica Observer) The Ministry of Labour and Social Security says it is unable to implement an annual five per cent increase in the wage ceiling for contributions to the National Insurance Scheme (NIS), due to losses suffered under the Jamaica Debt Exchange (JDX).

At about 0015h today, police say that Rohan Simon, 18 years, of Vevay, Mahaica, ECD; and Indar Singh, 31 years, of De Hoop, Mahaica, ECD, were travelling in the tray of an open-back motor pick-up vehicle along the Airy Hall Public Road, Mahaicony, when they fell out as the driver was negotiating a turn.

BRUSSELS,  (Reuters) – The European Union’s executive Commission will propose larger health warnings on cigarette packs and a ban on flavourings such as menthol, a draft revision of EU tobacco rules seen by Reuters today showed.

JOHANNESBURG,  (Reuters) – South Africa was plunged into crisis today just a month before it hosts the African Nations Cup finals with the suspension of its football association president and other top officials following a report into match fixing involving the national team.

(Trinidad Express) Atlanta-based rapper Trinidad James has signed a record deal rumoured to be valued US$2 million with Def Jam Recordings—home of superstars such as Rihanna and Kanye West.

CARACAS,  (Reuters) – Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez’s battle with cancer and the possibility of a new presidential election look likely to delay key economic policy decisions including a sharp currency devaluation needed to shore up public finances.

(Trinidad Express) Peter Permell, chairman of the Clico Policyholders Group (CPG), says the group has accepted an invitation to attend today’s annual general meeting of Republic Bank Ltd (RBL).

(Trinidad Express) “I can’t tell you. I have an accountant, he will tell you.”

(BBC) England completed their first series victory in India for 27 years as Jonathan Trott and Ian Bell both hit centuries on the final day in Nagpur.

(Reuters) – Cuba celebrated their first Caribbean Cup title with a 1-0 victory over Trinidad and Tobago in St.

HAVANA,  (Reuters) – Former Cuban leader Fidel Castro’s political career may go on for a while, at least symbolically, even though he no longer holds the country’s top political positions.

BIRMINGHAM, Ala.,  (Reuters) – A man armed with an assault-style rifle and suspected of killing three men in a domestic dispute was shot dead by police after a car chase and shootout that left an officer wounded, marking a second incident of deadly gun violence in Alabama in two days, officials said today.

PARIS,  (Reuters) – French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius said today he believed Syrian President Bashar al-Assad would fall soon and that the new opposition coalition had to be supported to prevent extremists taking control.

(Jamaica Observer) A mere four months after pulling the brakes on the partially revived passenger rail service due to the fact that it was swimming in red ink, the Government last week insisted that it would be resurrected during the Administration’s current term in office.