Magnitude-5.8 quake rattles

Trinidad, nearby islands

PORT-OF-SPAIN, Trinidad (AP) — An earthquake has rattled Trinidad and Tobago and nearby Caribbean islands but there have been no immediate reports of significant damage or injuries.

The 5.8 magnitude quake hit late Tuesday afternoon and was felt widely in the twin-island republic off the coast of Venezuela. It was also felt in the neighboring islands of Grenada and St. Vincent.

The U.S. Geological Survey says the temblor was centered about 15 miles (25 kilometers) southwest off the city of Scarborough on the island of Tobago. It had a depth of roughly 21 miles (35 kilometers).

60 feared drowned off Yemen

after boat disappears

SANAA, Yemen (AP) — The Yemeni government says 60 nationals are feared drowned in the Arabian Sea, after their vessel went missing for days.

In a statement, the internationally recognized government said Tuesday the vessel disappeared some 25 miles (40 kilometers) from the remote Socotra island five days ago. It was heading from the southern province of Hadramawt, carrying women and children among others.

Another statement by the governor of Hadramawt Ahmed ben-Break said that two were rescued and that the search is still ongoing.

The government has urged the Saudi-led coalition — which is backing the government in its fight against the Houthi rebels — for help.

Flights between Yemeni cities and the island were suspended since March 2015 when the Saudi-led coalition began its campaign, by closing the air space of Yemen.

Hearing delayed again for jailed

Utah man in Venezuela

CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) — A Utah man jailed in Venezuela since June had his hopes for being reunited with his family for Christmas all but dashed Tuesday by the fourth postponement of a preliminary hearing.

Judge Elena Cassiani did not appear for the scheduled hearing at which she was supposed to rule on whether to dismiss the weapons charges against Joshua Holt. A new date was set for January.

Holt, a 24-year-old former Mormon missionary, said he travelled to Venezuela to marry a woman he met online while looking for Spanish-speaking Mormons to help him improve his Spanish. Venezuelan officials allege he was using his wife’s apartment to stockpile weapons and have suggested his case is linked to other unspecified attempts by the U.S. government to undermine President Nicolas Maduro’s socialist rule amid deep economic and political turbulence.