Staff Editor

Longstanding PPP executive Ralph Ramkarran today resigned from the ruling party in a move that will likely shake Freedom House to its foundations.

(Jamaica Gleaner) The United States (US) Coast Guard says it has seized more than 3,800lb of cocaine, worth an estimated US$48 million, during a number of sting operations in the Caribbean Sea.

GENEVA, (Reuters) – International powers agreed today that a transitional government should be set up in Syria to end the bloodshed there but left open the question of what part President Bashar al-Assad might play in the process.

(Jamaica Gleaner) Last Saturday, Bryan Morris and his wife Loraine celebrated their eighth wedding anniversary.

(Jamaica Gleaner) The track and field world was treated to a feast of fine sprinting as World champion Yohan Blake continued to rubber-stamp his threat to 100m dominance while Olympic champion Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce showed her class to take the women’s equivalent at the JAAA/Supreme Ventures Limited National Senior Championships.

(Barbados Nation) There has been a major shake-up within the ANSA McAL group in Barbados, with reports yesterday that at least four senior executives in the conglomerate were to be relieved of their duties.

(Trinidad Express) A 69-year-old Gasparillo man choked on his boxer shorts which were stuffed in his mouth by robbers during a home invasion early Friday morning.

MUMBAI, (Reuters) – The Indian cricket board (BCCI) banned one uncapped cricketer for life on Saturday and handed out lesser punishments to four others for involvement in corruption in domestic cricket.

BAMAKO, (Reuters) – Al Qaeda-linked Mali Islamists armed with Kalashnikovs and pick-axes began destroying prized mausoleums of saints in the UNESCO-listed northern city of Timbuktu today in front of shocked locals, witnesses said.

(Trinidad Express) A family south of Ottawa was scheduled to fly back to Trinidad and Tobago yesterday, CBC News reported, as they were deported after their refugee claims were denied.

(Trinidad Express) National Security Minister Jack Warner yesterday sent a warning to both critics and criminals that they “haven’t seen anything yet”, in the face of public outrage over his role during the demolition of a protest camp set up by the Highway Re-Route Movement in Debe on Wednesday.

(Jamaica Gleaner) Jamaican sprint superstar Yohan Blake produced a thrilling run to win the men’s 100m final at the JAAA/SVL Jamaica Senior National Championships tonight.

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) – Actress Katie Holmes has filed for divorce from her superstar husband Tom Cruise, ending a six-year marriage that produced one daughter and captivated celebrity watchers worldwide.

(Reuters) – The U.S. Anti-Doping Agency has unanimously recommended filing formal doping charges against U.S.

ST GEORGE’S, Grenada,  CMC – A shocking batting collapse sent West Indies A tumbling to a disappointing 108-run defeat in the second one-dayer here today, allowing India A to level the three-match series at 1-1.

The Ministry of Agriculture today said that the Hydrometeorological Services have examined the global models and are advising that these global models indicate the emergence of El Nino (dry) conditions by the end of summer.

Chief Executive Officer of the state broadcaster, NCN, Mohammed Sattaur has resigned and the Programme Manager, Martin Goolsarran has been suspended for eight weeks following investigations into financial irregularities at the company.

TORONTO, Canada,  CMC – Former Guyana skipper Damodar Daesrath is set to make his international debut for Canada in the forthcoming ICC Intercontinental limited-over tournament in Scotland.

(WICB) Fort Lauderdale, Florida – Chris Gayle flashed his characteristic smile this morning as he embraced several West Indies fans at the Central Broward Regional Park.

NEWARK, N.J.,  (Reuters) – Grammy-winning singer Lauryn Hill pleaded guilty in federal court in Newark, New Jersey, today to three counts of failing to file federal income tax returns.