THE Ministry of Finance is in the final stages of the 2010-11 Budget preparation, trying to juggle a bulging deficit after Government's expected income from the revenue pool of the Southern African Customs Union (Sacu) for the current financial year dropped by more than N$3 billion due to the global recession.

by Stephen Seigel CALM BEFORE THE STORM After an unusually fertile Januarythat saw the first local appearance by the Residents; Sonic Youth's first visit to Tucson in decades; and a victory lap for Girls, who, in my opinion, released the best album of 2009February gets off to a rather slow start regarding big-name shows. It won't last long. Spring is on its way, and as we all know, that's ...

The Notre Dame hockey team moves into the final stretch run for the 2009-10 season this weekend when the Irish travel to Kalamazoo, Mich., to face Western Michigan. Game time on Fri.-Sat., Feb 5-6 at Lawson Arena is set for 7:35 p.m. both nights.

A man accused of shoplifting got into a fight with a security guard in a Rite-Aid parking lot in San Juan Capistrano, a caller told police Sunday night. The man, described as 6-foot-6, stripped down to his shorts nearby, according to a Sheriffs...

Deputies conducted a traffic stop at the intersection of 10th Street and Virginia, Alamogordo, resulting in the arrest of the driver for driving while license was suspended or revoked.

An unattended cigarette sparked an apartment fire Friday morning that left at least one person displaced.

Now's the time to enjoy the stunning sights of Granada, says Anthony Jefferies.

Click here for the 48 Hours in... Havana map

Michigan State embarks on its longest road trip of the season when it travels to Fairbanks to tangle with Alaska. The 12th-ranked Spartans, currently in second place in the CCHA standings, will look to extend their lead over third-place Ferris State prior to a bye week. Audio: WJIM 1240 AM (F); WVFN 730 AM (S); all audio can also be heard at www.spartansportsnetwork.com[[[SHIFTIN ...

Amid the glitz and glam of this popular playground, Miami always has so much going on, including one of the hottest tickets in sport Super Bowl XLIV.

We know information flies fast these days! As a service for the many of you who simply can't keep up, here's snippet summaries of business blog posts created by Orange County Register reporters and editors on Feb. 8 Huntington Homes Get real estate...

Record of the Year: Use Somebody, Kings of Leon Album of the Year: Fearless, Taylor Swift Song of the Year: Single Ladies (Put A Ring On it), Beyonce Knowles New Artist: Zac Brown Band Pop Vocal Album: The E.N.D., The Black Eyed Peas Female Pop Vocal Performance: Halo, Beyonce Knowles Male Pop Vocal Performance: Make It Mine, Jason Mraz Rock Album: 21st Century Breakdown, Green Day Rock ...

See "My Masterpiece" exhibit & contest What: Match the faux and the famous to win prizes When: Artists' reception, 2 - 4 p.

Status: Welterweight contender. His record is 21-4-2 (10 KOs). Will face Jose Luis Castillo on the Pacquiao-Clottey March 13 Dallas undercard. First Boxing Memory: Losing my first amateur fight. I remember I tried to make 70 pounds.

courtesy of the artist, Jonny Rosch of the original Blues Brothers performs Friday and Satruday at Hacienda Del Sol.

LAS CRUCES -It's a big weekend for arts aficionados. Lovers of textile arts will have a lot to celebrate with a weekend quilt show and a special embroidery guild project Saturday.

An exhibit on display at the Colorado Springs Fine Art Center celebrates NASA and 50 years of space exploration.

Richard G. Ross died peacefully Jan. 16 at home in San Clemente. He was 93. Born in Avon, Minn., on April 5, 1916, Richard was the third of John and Flora Ross' eight children. At age 22, Richard joined the Navy and was stationed aboard the USS...

Felonies January 26 Kelley, Eric Gregory, WM, 24, 3132 Calle De Ciervo, Navarre, failure to appear Langley, Scott David, WM, 22, 1040 Woodlore Circle, Gulf Breeze, destroying evidence Shipman, James Elijah, WM, 13, 2291 Janet Street, Navarre, burglary read more

First block of Vine Street, suspicious vehicle, 12:13 a.m. 900 block of Merchant Street, assault, 2:48 a.

This February 26th and 27th, 2010 - The Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra goes Carioca featuring guest Music Director Cliff Korman, and friends. The evening will be a celebration of the Samba, the Bossa Nova, and other Afro Brazilian rhythms. The Orchestra will explore the genius of Hermeto Pascoal and feature special guests Vanderlei Pereira and Paul Leiberman, amongst many others...

1/12/10 MPD documented a violation of a restraining order in the 600 block of Munras. Pinkas